Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One

Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016

Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
172°
nh
Sale 1122, Lot 172, 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A MINT NEVER-HINGED COPY. THIS IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED..

The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be the most beautiful design in U.S. philately. According to Brookman, the picture is supposed to portray cattle in the American West and is labelled "Western Cattle In Storm" at bottom. However, the subject of the original painting by J.A. MacWhirter, who specialized in romantic landscapes and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at the age of 14, was of cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $75,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade (the other was offered in our Merlin sale). Accompanied by note from master grader William A. Litle "After ten years finally a 98 NH 292. Yea!! Pretty safe to assume there won't be a bunch of these"

3,500
62,500