EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I CARMINE LAKE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,400.00). Only four grade higher
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ONE-OF-A-KIND MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $35,000.00 as 100). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report. No other Mint N.H. examples grade above 98J
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. Examples with desirable centering tend to have Jumbo margins at either sides or top and bottom, but rarely on all four sides. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
Ex Gorham. With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded one at 98 Jumbo and one at 100 Jumbo. We have never offered the P.S.E. 98 Jumbo in one of our auctions, but the stamp offered here compares very favorably to the 100 Jumbo we offered in our Whitman and Merlin sales.
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO HAVE GRADED HIGHER AND NONE SHARE THIS GRADE.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $15,000.00). Only two have graded higher and none share this grade.