Sale 1239 — 2021 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 24 June, 2021
Category — 1894-95 Issue thru 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, lightly hinged, with corner sheet selvage, intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM POSITION SINGLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 WATERMARKED TYPE II ISSUE.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ)
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 85 strip of three, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, well-centered and completely soundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE WIDE TOP MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN AT LEAST 30 YEARS.
A Power Search review reveals how rare Scott 278 is as a Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strip. The only examples we have offered since 1993 were a bottom strip of three (small crease, Sale 1227, lot 2997) and a narrow top strip of three with h.r. in selvage (Sale 920, lot 157). This wide top Mint N.H. strip, in sound and centered condition is in a class by itself. It is also an excellent alternative to a plate block, of which only one exists (and catalogues $200,000.00).
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ). Scott does not list a Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strip. Scott value for three Mint N.H. singles is $18,750.00, which does not remotely convey the rarity of this piece
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., fiery color on post-office fresh paper, exceptional centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). Only one example grades higher (at 98J) and three others share this lofty grade
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 620 block of four, incredibly well-centered, beautiful impression, minor bit of natural short gumming at top right of top right stamp and tiny moisture spots on gum of top pairEXTREMELY FINE. THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PLATE BLOCK TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH SUPERB CENTERING.
We still consider this one of the finest 10c Trans-Mississippi plate blocks despite the tiny gum imperfections. Ex Bakwin.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., intense shade on post office fresh paper, outstanding centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those extremely rare examples combining everything that could be desired.
With ungraded 2017 P.F. certificate (grade was not requested when submitted). With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $19,000.00). Only six other examples of this popular issue have achieved this grade and only four grade higher (at 98).
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 606 selvage, intense shade on bright paper, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PLATE NUMBER -- THIS STAMP IS THE COMPANION TO THE FAMOUS "SCARSDALE" COPY WITH IMPRINT.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. The stamp offered here originally formed a pair with the single with imprint offered in our sale of the "Scarsdale" collection, which was graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E.
With copy of 1999 P.F. certificate for pair and with 2006 and 2011 P.F. certificates as this single (XF 90)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Bottom imprint and plate no. 606 block of four, original gum, the gum is pristine except for tiny traces of hinge-sliver removal at points where perfs were reinforced and a small faint hinge mark in selvage, appears never-hinged at first glanceFINE-VERY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND LIGHTLY-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN U.S. PHILATELY.
The $1.00 stamp issued for the Trans-Mississippi Exposition was based on an image of cattle in a storm in an engraving by C. O. Murray, a copy of which was loaned to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by Mrs. C. B. Johnson. The engraving was used as a trademark by an American cattle company, but the image originated in an oil painting by J. A. MacWhirter entitled "The Vanguard", which depicts cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland. The Post Office Department was embarrassed when the painting was identified as the property of the Lord Blysworth, who was sent a formal apology and philatelic memento through the British Ambassador. The memento, a proof item, was donated to the Royal Philatelic Society by Lord Blysworth and hangs today on the walls of the Royal.
Ex Hall
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four with horizontal guideline, original gum, lightly hinged at center, detailed impression, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1995 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Outstanding centering with wide and beautifully balanced margins, intense shade, light and unobtrusive duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 613 selvage, deep rich color, wonderful centering for this difficult top valueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
According to Brookman, the design is based on the famed Eads Bridge that spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The river has long been considered the dividing line between East and West, and is a fitting theme for this issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This makes it difficult to fit the collecting criteria of most Gem-quality collectors. The stamp offered here, which is Mint Never-Hinged with choice centering and fresh color, is a true condition rarity. The plate number selvage adds to its desirability
With 1991 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90)