Sale 1175 — The George "Buddy" Byers Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 8 March, 2018
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c-$5.00 Columbian (230-245). Complete set of singles plus blocks of four of 1c-8c, lower values mostly original gum, of the top values $1.00 and $3.00 original gum, others regummed, bright colors, some faults to be expected, overall Fine or appear so
1c Columbian (230). Two Mint N.H. multiples, first bottom imprint, plate no. 151 and letter "M M" block of eight, some telescoped perfs and separations, about Fine, second is a block of 12 (2x6) with bottom right corner imprint and letter "J" selvage, portion of bottom selvage detached, very different shade from the first multiple, Fine
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 80 and letter "T" block of eight, rich color, well-centered, some perf separations between right two vertical rows, Very Fine, an attractive plate block
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of eight, fresh color, few minor perf separations, fresh and Fine
4c Columbian (233). Top imprint, plate no. 19 and letter "D" block of eight, disturbed original gum, separations reinforced including mostly separated and rejoined vertically at center, selvage reduced, couple small flaws, still Very Fine centering and presentable
5c Columbian (234). Top imprint, plate no. 9 and letter "B" block of eight, original gum, two h.r. straddle center block of four and reinforce perf separations, outer four stamps Mint N.H., rich color, small tear in selvage at top left and wrinkling in selvage at top center, appears Fine-Very Fine
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 104 block of six, brilliant color, well-centered, fresh and Very Fine
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 129 and letter "I I" block of eight, deep rich color, some perf separations between left vertical row and in selvage next to plate no. small edge tear in selvage below plate no., still Fine
10c Columbian (237). Bottom imprint and plate no. 100 block of six, attractive centering, vertical perf separations at left are reinforced causing some slight gum staining, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
15c Columbian (238). Bottom imprint, plate no. 58 and letter "M" block of eight, original gum, top row mild h.r., three stamps in bottom row Mint N.H., nice centering, some reinforced perf separations including between two stamps at top right, selvage slightly reducedVERY FINE APPEARING AND SCARCE PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The plate number block of eight is more desirable than the plate block of six configuration, which lacks the letter
30c Columbian (239). Bottom imprint, plate no. 59 and letter "N" block of eight, original gum, gorgeous color, beautiful centering, some reinforced perf separationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE CENTERED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
A Power Search review (which includes all of our Rarities sales) indicates that we have only sold approximately 13 plate blocks (of six or eight) plus a block of 18 containing two imprint and plate number multiples which has probably been broken. Of these, several had thin spots or small tears. Most are not as well centered as the example offered here
50c Columbian (240). Bottom imprint and plate no. 77 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, exceptionally deep shade, some reinforced perf separations between left block of fourVERY FINE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN.
The 50c Columbian is the first value of the series that was printed in much more limited quantities, with 243,750 copies vs. more than 617,000 of the 30c and millions of each of the 1c-15c (or more than a billion in the case of the 2c). It is scarce as a plate block
$1.00 Columbian (241). Block of four with full "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY." imprint at left, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair very slight gum disturbance, bright colorVERY FINE IMPRINT BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The Columbian issue comes with imprint, plate numbers and letters at top or bottom, and with imprint only at sides.
Scott Retail with no premium for the imprint. With 1982 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Bottom imprint and plate no. 105 strip of three, original gum, each with small h.r., radiant color, natural gum wrinkles left and center stamps, few perf separationsVERY FINE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Imprint and plate number strips of the dollar-value Columbians are scarce and desirable
$3.00 Columbian (243). Horizontal pair with bottom full imprint selvage, "N" of plate no. at right, large part disturbed original gum which covers the majority of the backs of both stamps, rich color, Very Fine and attractive position piece, Scott Retail for two original-gum singles without premium for the imprint
$4.00 Columbian (244). Slightly disturbed original gum, h.r., exceptionally well-centered with wide margins, rich color, vertical crease at left, Extremely Fine appearance
$5.00 Columbian (245). With bottom part imprint selvage, original gum, intense shade, Fine