Sale 1145 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 14 December, 2016
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues
1c-$5.00 1894 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (247P2-263P2). Complete set of 13 proofs, bright colors, removed from card backing, many show the thinning that often occurs with Roosevelt album proofs when they are removed from card (the adhesive used is very difficult to dissolve), Very Fine appearance, ex Curtis, only 85 albums were produced
1c-$5.00 1894-1895 Bureau Issues, Imperforate (253a-258a, 264a-278a). Complete sets of 3c-5c and 10c pairs of the unwatermarked issue (only these four exist imperforate) and 13 pairs of the watermarked issue, original gum, some h.r. or slight disturbance, large margins including three with sheet margin, rich colors, a couple small flaws including 4c unwatermarked with slight wrinkling, 10c watermarked small edge thin, $2.00 small thinVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE COMPLETE SETS OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF BOTH THE 1894 UNWATERMARKED AND 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUES.
Full sheets of 400 of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c unwatermarked values were removed from the Bureau and became available to collectors. They were not gummed when they came from the Bureau, but were later unofficially gummed. These are the only four denominations that exist imperforate for the 1894 Issue. In Brookman Volume III, pages 128-129, a complete account of the origin of the 1895 Imperforates is quoted from a column by George B. Sloane. Although the Scott Catalogue at first did not recognize the imperforates, from 1916 they inserted a statement "All denominations of this issue exist imperforate but they were not regularly issued in that condition".
$2.00 and $5.00 with P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H. with part imprint in left selvage, well-centered, bright color, Very Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., rich color, three wide margins, Very Fine, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate showing attached top plate number selvage, which accompanies
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, rich color, well-centered with balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office. Most tend to be off center.
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Disturbed original gum, rich color, better centering than often encountered with this scarce error, Very Fine, it is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office, most tend to be off center
6c Dull Brown, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (256a). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, couple of minor thin spots in top stamp, attractive margins and centering (often seen with perforations touching the design), Very Fine appearance, a rare Bureau perforation error, Brookman notes that the source of this error is likely a western post office
$1.00 Black (261). Excellent centering, lightly cancelled, sharp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $600.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, detailed impression, small thin spots and light crease at top, appears Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, rich color, nice margins and centering, slight wrinkle visible only in cross-lighting, Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Slightly disturbed original gum, deep rich color, three wide margins, Fine, pencil notation on back, with 1970 P.F. certificate as original gum
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Intense color on bright white paper, part strike of rim of oval cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Intense shade and impression on fresh paper, lightly struck registry cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.F. certificate