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 — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear "R" of "USIR" watermark, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, intense color and detailed impression, face-free strike of cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUES ON THE "USIR" WATERMARKED PAPER. THIS STAMP HAS ALL THE QUALITIES ONE COULD HOPE TO FIND -- WIDE MARGINS, RICH COLOR, BRIGHT PAPER, FULL PERFORATIONS AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws.
Ex Hoffner and Rubin. With 1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). Only one has graded higher to date (offered in the previous lot) and only one other shares this grade. One could also argue that this is the highest grade awarded to date showing the "R" of the "USIR" watermark.
