Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold strike of New York oval registry cancel at center and with part of blue crayon cancel at leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. THIS HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
Approximately half the number of $3.00 Columbian stamps was issued compared to each of the $1.00 and $2.00. We do not know the distribution of quantity for the two shades. Sales of the Columbians were disappointing to the post office, as collectors complained about the high price of the stamps. Plans to print additional quantities were cancelled. There was speculation in the dollar-value Columbians at the time they were issued, and the quantity which were used was fairly small.
From our 1999 Hillmer sale, where Scott Catalogue value was exactly the same. With 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98) and only five others share this grade.
