1894 Bureau of Engraving &
Printing Proof Presentation Album. Leatherbound and gold-stamped album
with "U.S. Stamps, Vol. IV Die Proofs" on the spine, containing 33
gold-edged large die proofs, each 144 x 197mm and showing full die sinkage,
comprising Nos. 247P1, 250P1, 253AP1, 254P1-260P1, 261P1, 262P1, 263P1,
E4P1, J31P1-J37P1, PR102P1-PR113P1, all have toned spots of varying
degrees, still an attractive and rare presentation album
(Image)
8c Violet Brown (257).
Mint N.H. with left sheet margin, extraordinarily well-centered with
gargantuan margins all around, gorgeous deep shade on bright white
paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The Unwatermarked 1894 Issue, the Bureau's first effort at perforating postage stamps, is notorious among collectors for poor centering. Every Rarities sale, we include a stamp that is far from rare in typical condition, but deserves Rarities status by virtue of its extraordinary quality. Here we have this year's Condition Rarity.
With 1987 P.F. certificate (Image)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262).
Original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous rich color on bright white paper,
remarkably well-centered with enormous margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. VERY RARE IN THIS QUALITY WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS EXAMPLE WITH ITS HUGE MARGINS REPRESENTS THE FINEST ATTAINABLE QUALITY.
The 1894 unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. stamp issue printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. This issue is notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as the Bureau feverishly worked to satisfy the public demand for stamps. The $2.00 is one of the rarest of the set in this original-gum condition and choice grade.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262).
Perfectly centered with extra wide margins, beautiful color and detailed
impression on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The previous lot provides the background to explain why the 1894 Bureau issue is so rare in choice condition. Used dollar values are comparably rare in Extremely Fine grade. This $2.00 represents absolute perfection.
With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)
$5.00 Dark Green (263).
Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp
impression, few natural gum wrinkles as often found on this issueA VERY RARE BLOCK OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE CONTAINING TWO VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE STAMPS AT RIGHT.
As stated in the previous description, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing initially struggled with gumming and perforating postage stamps. This block vividly demonstrates the Bureau's quality-control problems: the left pair is Fine with perfs close, the right pair is well-centered, with an Extremely Fine stamp at top right. (Image)
$5.00 Dark Green (263).
Stunning deep shade, lightly cancelled, incredibly detailed impression
clearly showing all of the background lines, bright and
freshEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 UNWATERMARKED 1894 ISSUE.
With 1998 P.F. certificate. (Image)
50c Orange (275). Top
margin plate no. 75 and imprint block of six, barest trace of hinging,
extraordinarily well-centered, vibrant color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE 50-CENT 1895 PLATE BLOCK -- EXCEEDINGLY RARE WITH FULL TOP SELVAGE AND THIS INCREDIBLE CENTERING.
This is easily the finest 50c 1895 Bureau plate number block we have seen. The Scott Catalogue value is meaningless for a full-selvage top position plate block. (Image)
$5.00 Dark Green, Imperforate
(278a). Large even margins all around, original gum, lightly hinged,
deep rich color, Extremely Fine and choice
(Image)