Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1897-1903 Change of Colors (Scott 279-284)
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 865 selvage, precise centering, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb plate number example, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only three grade higher
4c Orange Brown (280b). Mint N.H., deep rich color, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Scarsdale" and "Hanover", with 1986 and 2000 P.F. certificates, with 2004 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only seven grade higher (highest is 98J)
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., precisely centered, vivid color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,400.00), only one grades higher (at 100)
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 10-CENT BROWN TYPE I ISSUE GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The 10c was changed from Green (Scott No. 273) to Brown because the 1c denomination (Scott No. 279) was changed to Green to meet the UPU color scheme.
Ex "Scarsdale" and Merlin. With 1980, 1999 and 2019 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98) and two others share this grade.
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 997 selvage, radiant color, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, this issue is rarely found with the wide margins seen on some other Bureau issues, ex "Scarsdale", with 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 15-CENT OLIVE GREEN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00). Only one grades higher (at 98, realized $13,500 hammer in our Merlin sale) and only five others share this grade.
1894-98 Bureau Issues, Quality Balance. Seven choice unused stamps, all are certified (some with both P.F. and P.S.E. certificates) and four are P.S.E. graded, including Nos. 247 (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00), 248 (Mint N.H.), 257 (Mint N.H.), 264 (Mint N.H., XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00), 268 (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $100.00), 271 (hinged) and 279B (Mint N.H., XF 90; SMQ $125.00), bright and fresh throughout, Extremely Fine to Extremely Fine Gem balance, nine certificates accompany, SMQ for just the four graded stamps is $825.00, Scott Retail