Sale 1108 — The Robert Bowman Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 29 September, 2015
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues (Scott 137-226)
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Deep rich color and detailed impression, remarkably clear grill, neat cork cancel, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH AN H GRILL.
With 1984 and 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and eight others share this grade.
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Radiant color, several rows of clear grill points, well-balanced margins, cork and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, with 1985 and 1996 P.F. certificates
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Clearly-defined grill with almost all points visible, face-free strike of New York Foreign Mail cancel, radiant color, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
This issue is normally found with small margins and very few visible grill points. The margins on the example offered here are exceptionally wide, the perfs are long and full all around, it has wonderful color and a clear grill, and a face-free cancel. This may well be the finest in existence.
With 1972 A.P.S., 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $11,500.00). This issue is very difficult to obtain in higher grades, as only four others have graded higher than a 90. The example offered here, a Superb 98, is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Perfectly centered with extraordinarily wide margins at sides and well-balanced margins at top and bottom, deep rich color, clearly defined grill points, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION -- WITH GREAT COLOR, CLEAR GRILL POINTS AND HUGE MARGINS -- A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Dr. Puliafito. With 1998 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Vibrant color, choice centering, cork cancel, P.S.E. certificate notes a tiny filled thin at lower left of center, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the former as sound
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Choice centering with balanced margins, pretty shade nicely complemented by New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, clear grillEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
Small pentagonal purple backstamp (source unknown to us) and faint pencil notation "Economist Stp. Co./87 Nassau St./E. Stern" (Edward Stern). With 1995 P.F. certificate as genuine and 2015 P.S.E. certificate as "fake grill" -- sold "as is" on the basis of these conflicting opinions
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Bright shade and crisp impression, several rows of clear grill points, light strike of duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
This is a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in sound condition with decent centering.
With 1999 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
90c Dark Carmine, H. Grill (144 var). Intense shade and impression, wide margins, several rows of discernible grill points, bold segmented cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE H GRILL ISSUUE.
With 1979 and 1995 P.F. certificates as Dark Carmine (a Scott-listed sub-shade).
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Essentially perfectly centered with wide margins, lovely warm shade, clear grill points, neat strike of segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH AN I GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $525.00 as a 90). The I Grill did not get its separate catalogue listing until a few years ago, we are aware of one other graded 98, which is the highest grade awarded
30c Black (154). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, detailed impression, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1989 P.S.E. and 1997 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine (155). Brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $750.00)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color, light strike of large target cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in the higher grades, with 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only two others share this grade
30c Gray Black (165). Intense shade and impression, neat strike of New York Supplementary Mail Type F datestamp, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates
90c Rose Carmine (166). Brilliant color, well-balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $400.00)
5c Blue (179). Essentially perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,000.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it, the next-highest are two 95J's
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Bright color, well-balanced margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
15c Red Orange, Double Transfer (189 var). Clear double transfer in "ENTS" of "CENTS", deep rich color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent example of this variety, ex Floyd and Tahoe, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00 as normal), Scott Retail with no premium for the double transfer (which is unpriced in Scott as used and unlisted as unused)
30c Full Black (190). Beautifully centered with wide margins all around, deep shade, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Morris, with 1990 and 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00)
90c Carmine (191). Brilliant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1879 90-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 1992 and 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only two others share this grade.
3c Vermilion (214). Vibrant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00), only two have graded higher
30c Orange Brown (217). Intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, bold New York registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in such superb condition, with 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $775.00), only one has graded higher (at 95J) and five others share it
90c Purple (218). Detailed impression, neat registry oval cancel, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2" (220a). Brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, neat duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $200.00)
10c Green (226). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, neat strike of New York circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $550.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and one other shares this grade