Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c-50c Columbian (230/240). Unused set less the 3c and 8c, plus an extra 50c, mostly original gum with the 2c, 4c and 6c Mint N.H., one 50c is regummed and reperfed but the other 50c has lightly hinged gum with wide margins and Extremely Fine appearance (and a miniscule perf hole tear or it would have been an individual lot), overall a Very Fine group, 4c and the better 50c with clear P.F. certificates, Scott value approximately
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1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. with part imprint top selvage, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL PART-IMPRINT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. Scott 230
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, bright color on pristine white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only eight grade higher (all at 98J)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., remarkably well-centered within uncharacteristically wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., beautifully centered, exceedingly fresh, gorgeous rich color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,875.00), only ten grade higher
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., radiant color, crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,150.00). Only three grade higher (one each at 98J, 100 and 100J)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression on crisp paperFINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
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 two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. 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.
With 2014 P.F. certificate for an irregular block of nine and with 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1995 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only seven grade higher (six at 98J and one at 100)
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful 6c Columbian in the Red Violet shade, ex Whitman, with 1983 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), none grade higher and only six others share this grade
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H. with wide bottom plate no. 104 selvage, beautifully centered, brilliantly rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. certificate
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., bright color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,250.00). Only three grade higher (one each at 98J, 100 and 100J) and only six others share this grade. This is the first in this grade we have offered since 2016. We last offered the 98J in 2012, the 100 in 2009 and the 100J in 2019 (realized $30,000 hammer)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 100 and letter "Y" strip of four, beautifully centered, crisp impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful imprint and plate number multiple, ex Wingate, with 1988 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, huge margins and exceptional centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,600.00), only one hinged stamp grades higher
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, beautiful rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,750.00). Only three grade higher (one at 98J, two at 100). This is the only example in this grade we have offered since 2010.
50c, $1.00, $5.00 Columbian (240-241, 245). One of each, 50c disturbed original gum and nibbed perf, $1.00 original gum, reperfed at top, $5.00 regummed and reperfed at top, Fine appearing trio, with 2020 P.S.E. certificates
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$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., glowing color, choice centering and marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN.
P.F. certificate no. 412376 for a vertical strip of five no longer accompanies. With 2021 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, wide and balanced margins, tiny scuff at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Extremely Fine, with clear 1988 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS FANTASTIC STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONE OF ONLY FOUR AMONG BOTH SHADES TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.
The design for the $3.00 Columbian was taken from a painting by Spanish artist Francisco Jover Casanova (1836-1890) and depicts Columbus describing his third voyage. Another of his paintings was used as the theme for the 8c Columbian.
The $3.00 Columbian is one of the most difficult of the dollar values to obtain in such choice condition. Only 24,713 were issued, which is approximately half the number of the $1.00 and $2.00. The margins are generally narrow on this denomination. The stamp offered here is the exception to the rule. It is beautifully centered, the color and paper are bright and fresh, and the gum is pristine. It is truly one of the finest in existence.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $75,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. Only one other Scott 243 and two Scott 243a (Olive Green) have equaled this grade, but we have never offered any of the others.
$3.00 Columbian (243). Mint N.H. with left selvage, intense shade and rich color, extra wide margins and well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, choice centering and margins, deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1984 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, brilliant color, wide margins and choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE LIGHTLY-HINGED $4.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 1993 and 2020 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, brilliant color, wide and well-balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion speck in Isabella's forehead, Very Fine and choice, with clear 1984 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, narrow h.r. at top, centered to left with three wide margins, tiny hinge thin at top, appears Fine, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., choice centering, proof-like impression on bright white paper, post-office fresh, tiny natural inclusion at left (not mentioned on certificate)VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
The rarity of the $5.00 Columbian in Mint N.H. condition is easily explained. For more than a century, collectors have proudly hinged this highest value of the Columbian set in their albums, and the vast majority of stamps have not escaped the hinge. Only the break-up of blocks, which rarely contain Mint N.H. stamps, has provided the few Extremely Fine Mint N.H. $5.00 Columbian stamps extant today. We have offered perhaps a half-dozen in the past eight years, and several were off-center.
Ex Wingate. With 1992 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, very lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Dr. Killien and Merlin. With 1988 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ 9,000.00). Only four grade higher (all 98, we have not offered any since 2009). Seven others share this grade, but this is the only example we have offered since 2016. By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. copy is 95, which has an SMQ value of $85,000.00. This is a phenomenal stamp for someone who values centering over gum.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, with bottom part imprint and "No." selvage, intense shade, wide margins, couple minor perf separations at leftEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PART-IMPRINT EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression on fresh paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)