Sale 1100 — United States Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Monday, 22 June, 2015
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues, 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 263-293)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Block of four, original gum, h.r. where few perf separations sensibly reinforced, rich color, natural gum bends and creases not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Very few blocks remain intact, as most have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. We have offered only two others, both with similar centering, in over a decade.
Ex Frelinghuysen. With 2012 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, bottom right stamp small toned spot on one perf at top not mentioned on accompanying certificatesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
Apart from the block sold in the Whitpain collection (Siegel 977), this is the only other block of four we have offered in the past ten years. Only one full plate block exists. The Scott Catalogue assigns a paltry $1,000.00 premium for the block versus four singles, which in no way reflects its rarity.
With 1972 and 2008 P.F. certificates
50c Orange (275). Original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous fiery color, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Dark Blue (281). Top imprint and plate no. 1199 block of six, original gum, top center stamp lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., deep rich color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful plate block
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Wide top left imprint and plate no. 601 block of ten, stamps Mint N.H., rich color, minor perf separations and strengthening in selvage only, Fine-Very Fine
1c, 2c Trans-Mississippi (285-286). 1c bottom imprint and plate no. 598 block of six, 2c Mint N.H. top right corner imprint and plate no. 690 block of ten, few minor perf separations, Fine-Very Fine
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H. top right corner imprint and plate no. 729 block of four two extra stamps, radiant color, fresh and Fine, attractive position multiple, ex MLG, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as plate block of four and two singles
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, extraordinarily wide and well-balanced margins, proof-like color and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1988 and 2014 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and attractively centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,400.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, top imprint selvage, crisp impression, Fine
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Choice centering with balanced margins, detailed impression, unobtrusive strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering with exceedingly wide margins, beautiful rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $2.00 IS THE MOST CHALLENGING OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN THIS SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1987 and 2014 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 613 pair, rich color and detailed impressionFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT-NEVER HINGED PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
This issue is unpriced as a plate number pair in Mint N.H. condition. Scott Retail as two singles