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Sale 322
Lot 2096
1893, $3 Columbian (243), unusually choice centering, remarkably fresh with lustrous color on crisp white paper and full never hinged original gum. A stunning Extremely Fine gem. SMQ $49,700.
Scott $6,250
A PRISTINE MINT $3 COLUMBIAN— AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT VALUE TO OBTAIN BOTH THIS WELL CENTERED AND IN POST OFFICE FRESH, NEVER HINGED CONDITION. THIS STAMP IS CERTAINLY A CANDIDATE FOR THE FINEST RECORDED NEVER HINGED $3 COLUMBIAN.
Expertization: 1997 and 2006 P.F. Certificates the latter graded XF-Superb 95.
This is the only mint never hinged example graded XF-S 95 by the P.F. The P.S.E. has also certified two examples in this exalted graded. Neither body has graded any never hinged examples higher.
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| Unsold |
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Lot 2109
1894, 10¢ dark green (258), extraordinarily well centered within beautifully balanced margins, highly detailed impression on crisp white paper. Pristine never hinged original gum. Superb. SMQ $30,400.
Scott $975
A PERFECT GEM, QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST NEVER HINGED 10¢ 1894 BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
Expertization: 2007 P.S.E. Certificate graded Superb 98.
The only example in any condition graded S 98 by the P.S.E. with none graded higher.
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| Realized $28,750 |
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Lot 2058
1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), choice centering, scissor separated but full perforations all around, with remarkably vibrant color on brilliant white paper, without gum as issued, Extremely Fine. SMQ $28,000.
Scott $6,500
A GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 12¢ 1875 SPECIAL PRINTING, CERTAINLY AMONG THE BEST OF THE 60 OR SO EXAMPLES BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Expertization: 2007 P.F. Certificate graded XF 90.
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| Realized $32,200 |
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Lot 2205
1915, 10¢ Panama-Pacific, perf 10 (404), perfectly centered and post office fresh, with brilliant color on crisp, white paper, original gum, never hinged. Superb. SMQ $26,000.
Scott $2,100
UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLES EXTANT OF THE EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT PERF. 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE.
Expertization: 2007 P.S.E. Certificate graded Superb 98.
One of only four never hinged examples graded Superb 98 by the P.S.E., the highest grade awarded.
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| Realized $33,350 |
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Lot 2040
1869, 30¢ ultramarine & carmine, without grill (121a), beautifully centered, with brilliant colors, bright paper and full original gum, fresh and Extremely Fine. Not listed in SMQ.
Scott $12,000
WITH EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING AND FRESHNESS, THIS IS SURELY THE FINEST 30¢ 1869 ISSUE EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE WITHOUT GRILL VARIETY.
Expertization: 2006 P.F. Certificate graded XF 90.
The SMQ price for a normal mint 30¢ Pictorial in the grade of XF 90 is $16,600. There have been very few examples of this rare without-grill variety certified by the Philatelic Foundation, most of those being badly off-center. This is the highest grade awarded to an original gum example by either the P.F. or P.S.E. Since Scott gives the ungrilled variety a premium of 50% over the normal grilled stamp, it could be argued that the SMQ value would accordingly be $24,900.
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| Realized $40,250 |
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Lot 2099
1893, $4 Columbian (244), nearly perfectly centered, with luminous color and full never hinged original gum, fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ $24,400.
Scott $8,500
A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $4 COLUMBIAN. THIS STAMP IS TRULY RARE IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
Expertization: 2005 P.S.E. Certificate graded XF 90.
The P.S.E. population report lists only four never hinged $4 Columbians graded XF 90, with only three graded higher (XF-S 95).
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| Unsold |
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Lot 2034
1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 12¢ black (107), perfectly centered, with prooflike color and impression on bright white paper, full original gum, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine. SMQ $18,000.
Scott $5,000
ONLY 389 OF THE 12¢ RE-ISSUE WERE SOLD, OF THOSE THAT HAVE SURVIVED, MOST ARE OFF-CENTERED, TONED, FAULTY AND/OR HAVE LOST THEIR GUM. WITH ITS EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING, WONDERFUL COLOR AND FULL, LIGHTLY HINGED ORIGINAL GUM, THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE CERTAINLY RANKS AMONG THE VERY FINEST EXAMPLES OBTAINABLE.
Expertization: 2005 P.S.E. Certificate graded XF-Superb 95.
To date only four original gum examples have been graded XF-Superb 95, with only two XF-Superb 95J; none have been graded higher.
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| Realized $17,250 |
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Lot 2115
1894, $5 dark green (263), extraordinarily well centered within unusually wide margins, rich vibrant color, strong impression and lightly hinged original gum. Choice Extremely Fine. SMQ $17,400.
Scott $5,000
GIVEN THE CENTERING, MARGIN SIZE AND PRISTINE CONDITION, THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE $5 BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
Expertization: 1984 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. Certificates, latter graded XF-Superb 95.
In 1894, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing was awarded the contract for printing United States postage stamps. Having had little experience in the manufacture of stamps, and basically starting from scratch, they experienced various production problems, especially in the perforating process. The issue is well known to have produced mostly poorly centered stamps. Perhaps none is more difficult to locate well centered than the $5.00. We have seen several small margined stamps that are well centered, and every now and then, one encounters a three sided jumbo, but alas, the fourth side is invariably close or cutting in. But, to find a mint example such as the one presented here, which possesses both large margins and exceptional centering, is a rare treat indeed.
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| Realized $27,600 |
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Lot 2035
1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 24¢ deep violet (109), exceptionally well centered, with vibrant color, a crisp impression and full original gum, Extremely Fine. SMQ $16,800.
Scott $7,000
A CHOICE MINT EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24¢ RE-ISSUE, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VALUES OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN THIS CONDITION.
Expertization: 2004 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. Certificates, the latter graded XF 90.
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| Unsold |
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Lot 2047
1869 (1875 Re-issue), 90¢ carmine & black (132), choice centering within wide and beautifully balanced margins, with gorgeous color and a prooflike impression on crisp white paper, original gum. A Superb gem. SMQ $15,700.
Scott $4,750
A REMARKABLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 90¢ PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE— CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Expertization: 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. Certificates, both graded XF-Superb 95.
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| Realized $18,400 |
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