Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
8c 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 marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE AND ONLY TWO OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
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; SMQ $33,000.00). The most recent realization for a Superb 98 was $47,500 hammer (this Fall season)
