Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1894-1903 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-280a)
$1.00 Black (261). Intense shade on bright paper, unusually wide margins, registry oval cancels, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Deep shade, wide and balanced margins, face-free registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Rich color on bright paper, unusually wide margins, bold strike of registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Rich color and proof-like impression, well-proportioned margins, bold cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
This issue is surprisingly difficult to obtain in such choice used condition. With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Essentially perfect centering with balanced margins, vivid color, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $850.00), only three grade higher and one other shares this lofty grade
5c Chocolate (270). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, bold color and sharp impression, light cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only two grade higher
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing distinct complete letter "I" of watermark, deep rich color, outstanding centering, neat wavy-line machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1895 6-CENT WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available at https://www.siegelauctions.com/census/us/Scott/271a , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. About half have faults and the majority of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The identified examples are split approximately equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design. This sound example with balanced margins and a neat cancel is a great rarity.
Census no. 271a-CAN-19. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Clear "R" of watermark, wide and nicely balanced margins, rich color, light cancel, Extremely Fine, a choice example of this variety which occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps, there are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws, collectors prefer examples showing the "R" watermark, as this letter is unquestionably from "USIR", with 2003 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Intense shade, balanced margins, duplex cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $350.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Wide margins and well-centered, unobtrusive oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Bright color on fresh paper, attractive centering and margins, bold Philadelphia circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, ex Saadi, with 1990 and 2002 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Choice centering and proof-like impression, deep rich color easily discernible from the standard Blue, New York oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00), this is the highest grade awarded to the Dark Blue No. 277a and only six others share this grade, this shade only comes on the 1895 watermarked paper
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Deep rich color and detailed impression on bright white paper, near perfect centering, unobtrusive registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,750.00). Only five grade higher.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Rich color and nicely centered, light registry oval cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
4c Lilac Brown (280a). Glowing color in this attractive sub-shade, outstanding centering with balanced margins, small cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $475.00), this is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a used example of this shade and it is shared by no others