Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER AND ONLY FOUR OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE. THESE ARE EXTREMELY LOW POPULATION NUMBERS FOR SUCH A POPULAR STAMP, WHICH CONFIRMS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO OBTAIN IN THE HIGHER GRADES.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only two grade higher (at 100, the last we offered was in 2012 when it realized $35,000). Only four others share this desirable grade. These are extremely low population numbers for such a popular stamp and speaks to the difficulty of obtaining it in such choice condition.
