Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Deep rich color, oval numeral grid cancel, expertly repaired at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY 15 USED EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR ARE LISTED IN OUR CENSUS. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF USED UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND OF THE POPULAR COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least three panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from at least one additional pane. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Our census of used Scott 233a, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/233a , contains 15 stamps. One additional stamp was previously certified as the error, but received a recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. Only two stamps listed in our census are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 233a-CAN-15. With 2001 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates
1c-15c Columbian (230-236, 238). Ten used stamps, including two each of 5c and 6c, better centering than normally seen, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, four with certificates including one 5c graded 95
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8c Magenta, Columbian (236). Rich color, Jumbo margins, neat cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00), only two grade higher (at 98 and 100J) and three other share this grade, this is the first in this grade we have offered since our 2012 Kirke sale
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Deep shade, duplex cancel leaves design clearly visible, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $275.00)
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Crisp impression, unusually choice centering with wide margins, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem
15c Dark Green, Columbian (238). Rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, unobtrusive strike of oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, ex Kirke, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,100.00), only two grade higher (at 98 and 98J) and six others share this desirable grade
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Bright shade and crisp impression, light strike of registry oval cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Outstanding centering with wide margins, gorgeous color, neat "West Union" circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example, with 2000 and 2019 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00), only three grade higher, this is the most attractively cancelled used 30c we have offered graded 95 or better
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Choice centering with wide margins all around, rich color and proof-like impression, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 50c Columbian, with 1999 P.F. certificate
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, bold strike of deep red double-oval New York Supplementary Mail Type G cancel, certificate notes this is struck in Cerise, Extremely Fine, a rare cancel on a beautiful stamp, with 2004 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Intense shade, neat Brooklyn N.Y. Dec. 18, 1893 circular datestamp, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Bold color on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,500.00). Only four grade higher (all at 98).
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Detailed impression, choice centering, faint cancel (almost appears unused), Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Wonderful color and choice wide margins, nearly perfectly centered, small neat socked-on-the-nose "Washington D.C. Aug. 28 2-PM 1895" machine datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Helton. Signed A. Diena and Raybaudi. With 2002, 2012 P.F. (XF-Superb 95) and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,850.00). Only three grade higher (one at 95J, two at 98).
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Bright shade, light strike of cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Detailed impression, neat New Oxford Pa. 1898 circular datestamp cancel, unusually wide margins, especially at sides, Extremely Fine, other dollar-value Columbian covers from New Oxford Pa. can be found in Sale 1167 (lots 2381-2382), with 2000 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Pale Aniline Rose, Columbian (244a). Lovely pastel color, exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, crisp strike of registered circular datestamp with "REG." showingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING AND SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE PALE ANILINE ROSE SHADE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.S.E.
Ex Helton. With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others. One used to grade higher but it must have been downgraded or removed from the Population Report for another reason.
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Detailed impression, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate