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 — 1879 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 182-191)
15c Red Orange (189). Mathematically precise centering with gigantic margins all around, vivid color, beautiful even perforations all around, neat strike of "5" in four-ring target cancel and trace of additional cancel at leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THIS IS THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $960.00 as 98). This is the only example of this stamp in any category to achieve the highest grade possible on the grading scale. The margin size is significantly greater than the Mint N.H. copy graded Gem 100 and offered in our sale of the Whitman collection. This is also one of only six used Bank Note stamps (five different Scott Nos.) between Scott 134 and 218 to achieve this perfect grade (two others are also offered in this collection). Finally, it is also the only stamp -- unused or used -- with a denomination higher than 10c to achieve this grade before the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue.
