Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful impression showing every detailed line of this marvelous engraving, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins on all four sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED, AND ONLY ONE OTHER HAS ACHIEVED THIS PERFECT GRADE. IT IS A KEY TO A SET OF HIGH-GRADE COLUMBIANS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ISSUES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The scene depicted on the 30c is based on the story that Columbus stopped at the convent at Santa Maria de La Rabida on his way to France after being rejected at the Spanish Court. The friar of the convent, after hearing his plan, persuaded him to stay. While at the convent he gained support from some of the more important people in the neighborhood and, his faith renewed, decided to apply for aid from the Spanish court once again, where he was successful. This marked a turning-point in his struggles for financial backing.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $7,000.00 as 98).
