Lot 1127
Newspaper, 1894 "Colman" Special Printing, 1¢-$60, privately perforated and gummed (PR57-PR79, PR81 var.), a complete set of all values including the unissued 9¢ each stamp with intense color and prooflike impression o.g., lightly hinged Very Fine to Extremely Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
A THOROUGHLY CHOICE SET, ONE OF ONLY 45 SUCH SETS PRODUCED.
This printing was ordered from the American Bank Note Company in March of 1894 to serve as samples for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which had been awarded the four-year contract to print postage stamps during the previous month.These stamps were printed from the original plates prepared by the Continental Bank Note Co. in 1875 and were in the possession of the American Bank Note Co., who had retained the contract to print stamps since1879.
Washington stamp dealer Henry F. Colman obtained a set of imperforate panes of 50 of the sample stamps. Keeping five sets in imperforate condition, he perforated the other forty-five sets. Colman was indicted by the government for illegal possession of these stamps, but was acquitted. Unlisted in Scott, but described by Luff, Braceland and Mooz.
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| Realized $6,250 |
