Sale 1067 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 24-28 March, 2014
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 247-284)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, lightly hinged, exceptional Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, gorgeous color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED JUMBO MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 1894 unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. stamp issue printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. This issue is notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as the Bureau feverishly worked to satisfy the public demand for stamps. The $2.00 is one of the rarest of the set in original-gum condition with choice centering. This Jumbo-margined example is truly exceptional.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $8,150.00 as 95, unpriced in any higher grade). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others (three are graded 95).
