Sale 1025 — 2012 Rarities of the World

Sale Date — Tuesday, 26 June, 2012

Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue thru Trans-Mississippi Issue

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
204
 
Sale 1025, Lot 204, 1894-98 Bureau Issue thru Trans-Mississippi Issue$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat strike of circular datestamp leaves entire design clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART, AND THIS STAMP IS THE ONLY $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE. A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED.

The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. philately. According to Brookman, the picture is supposed to portray cattle in the American West and is labelled "Western Cattle In Storm" at bottom. However, the subject of the original painting by J.A. MacWhirter, who specialized in romantic landscapes and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at the age of 14, was of cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.

The dollar-value Trans-Mississippi stamps are rarely found with centering that would qualify for a high numerical grade, but in used condition they are further handicapped by heavy registry cancels, which almost invariably knock points off the final grade.

With 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $11,700.00 as 98). This is the only dollar-value stamp of either the Columbian or Trans-Mississippi issues to be awarded the highest grade possible of Gem 100 Jumbo in any category (used, hinged or Mint N.H.).

650
20,000