Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Essentially perfect centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, very light duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful designs 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 cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.
The dollar-value Trans-Mississippi stamps are rarely found with centering that would qualify for a high numerical grade, but in used condition they are further handicapped by heavy registry cancels, which almost invariably knock points off the final grade.
With 2000 and 2009 P.F. certificates. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $11,750.00). Only one used stamp grades higher (the Gem 100 Jumbo offered in our 2012 Rarities sale). The P.S.E. Population Report also lists one other Superb 98, but that stamp has a P.F. certificate calling an ink covered scrape
