6c Dull Brown, Watermarked
USIR (271a). Horizontal strip of three, right stamp shows "I", left and
center stamps showing "U" and "S" respectively, right stamp (the error) has
been rejoined along perfs, center stamp with small tearFINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED MULTIPLE CONTAINING THE 6-CENT 1895 "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR, OF WHICH FIFTEEN HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION (INCLUDING ELEVEN USED).
Although two of the stamps in this strip are technically classified as the regular USPS watermarked issue, the multiple obviously came from an error sheet and is the only recorded used multiple in our records of Scott 271a. Included in our census are 11 used singles certified by The Philatelic Foundation.
Scott value as a single used error stamp (Image)
8c Violet Brown, Watermarked
USIR (272a). Showing clear "I" of the watermark, perfectly centered
with unusually wide and even margins all around, deep rich color and
proof-like impression, clear strike of Pa. duplex
cancellationEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 8-CENT 1895 ISSUE "USIR" WATERMARK IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Our census of Scott 272a records 43 used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. There are also seven unused singles, an unused pair and two unused imprint and plate no. strips of three in our records. An overwhelming majority of the used stamps are either faulty of off-center. An off-center strip of three, uncertified, is also known to us. Of the certified copies, the example offered here is one of the two finest examples of this great rarity.
With 1980 P.F. certificate (Image)