Sale 968A — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 April, 2009
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Lake (219D). Mint N.H., deep rich color in the distinctive Lake shade, nicely complemented by bright paper, wide margins which are well-proportioned, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1993 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine (220). Mint N.H., gorgeous color as fresh as the day it was printed on bright paper, unusually wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a stamp of tremendous visual appeal, with 1993 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2" (220a). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this variety, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Cap on Both "2"'s (220c). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression clearly showing the cap on both "2"'s, almost perfectly centered with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1890 ISSUE WITH A CAP ON BOTH "2"s THAT WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Only a small percentage of 2c 1890's were printed from Plates 245 and 246, which contained the Cap on Both 2's variety. Examples in Mint N.H. condition are rare (only six were located with Power Search), and of those surviving Mint N.H. stamps, only a handful are in high grades.
With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. In fact, 90 is the highest grade with a catalogue value in SMQ -- it is unpriced in any higher grade.
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2", Both "2" (220a, 220c). Block of four, left stamps with cap over left "2", right stamps with caps on both "2"'s, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps narrow h.r. at top, intense shade and impression with the varieties clearly displayed on all stampsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE COMBINATION BLOCK SHOWING BOTH VARIETIES OF CAP OVER "2". A HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE ITEM.
According to Brookman, the varieties were caused by a breakdown of the metal of the transfer roll. There is only one plate of the dozens used which contains a combination of both varieties -- Plate 246.
Ex Golin, Blumenkopf and Floyd. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles does not reflect the rarity of this multiple -- the bottom combination pair with both varieties is Mint N.H.
3c Purple (221). Mint N.H., pretty shade, balanced Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PARTICULARLY WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1986 and 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98) and none share this grade.
4c Dark Brown (222). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, unusually wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a Jumbo stamp, with 1995 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H. with wide bottom left corner sheet selvage, brilliant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1890 ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER SELVAGE -- A STUNNING STAMP.
With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH MASSIVE MARGINS.
With 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.
10c Green (226). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly balanced Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This magnificent stamp is the only example to achieve this grade.
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
30c Black (228). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, intense shade and impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1990 and 1993 P.F. certificates
90c Orange (229). Mint N.H. with top right corner sheet selvage, brilliant color, unusually wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTCULAR CORNER MARGIN COPY OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
With 1997 P.F. certificate.