Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1882-88 American Bank Note Company Issue (Scott 205-218)
5c Yellow Brown (205). Mint N.H., deep rich color, fresh and Very Fine
1c Gray Blue (206). Mint N.H., brilliant color on fresh paper, exceedingly choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,000.00), this is the highest grade awarded
6c Rose (208). Original gum, brilliant color in the Rose shade, balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Floyd, with 1995 P.F. certificate
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, tiny natural inclusion at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1882 LINCOLN ISSUE IN THE DEEP BROWN RED SHADE.
This issue is difficult to obtain in Mint N.H. condition with decent centering. Nine are graded by P.S.E., but we have never offered any. We have offered only one other since our 2009 Whitman sale.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous rich color, Very Fine and choice, ex "Golden Oak", with 1977 and 2020 P.F. certificates
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty color which looks to us like the Pale Brown Red sub-shade, trivial natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (209). Mint N.H., crisp impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (209). Original gum, barely hinged, crisp impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00), only four grade higher
4c Blue Green (211). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
This has the widest margins of any we have encountered. With 2009 P.F. certificate
4c Blue Green (211). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,350.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and five others share this grade. We last offered a 95 in 2009, and this is the first in this grade we have offered since 2008.
2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing (211B). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE FROM THE SHEET-CORNER POSITION.
With 1984 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. The other is from the top left corner selvage position and was last offered by us in our 2010 Rarities sale.
1c Ultramarine (212). Mint N.H., with top right corner selvage, rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2c Green (213). Mint N.H., bright color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H., vivid color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp
5c Indigo (216). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2019 P.F. certificate
5c Indigo (216). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $625.00)
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Scarce with such choice centering.
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfect centering, gorgeous rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 90-CENT PURPLE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Curtis. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $7,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. This is the only example in this grade we have offered.
90c Purple (218). Original gum, fresh color, wide margins all around, Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)