Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, lovely bright color, couple minor creases or wrinklesFINE APPEARING PAIR OF THE RARE UNWATERMARKED 5-CENT 1894 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office. The unique unused block of nine with imprint and plate number, ex Col. Green collection, also originated from this find.
10c Dark Green (258). Bottom imprint and plate No. 55 block of six, one stamp hinged, other five Mint N.H., incredible depth of color, classic First Bureau incompletely punched-out perf discs, slight soiling on back of position 6FINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE WELL-CENTERED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE..
With the demand for superb singles, even plate blocks are being broken to create supply. This choice 10c 1894 plate block is scarce and getting scarcer.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, h.r., wonderful centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
This is a difficult issue to obtain in such choice condition.
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Mint N.H., choice centering and unusually wide margins, beautiful deep rich color and incredibly detailed impression showing all of the fine engraving lines in the background, bright and fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Without question, the $5.00 is the rarest of the 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue in sound, well-centered Mint Never-Hinged condition. It is unlikely that more than four or five Extremely Fine Mint N.H. examples exist.
With 1979, 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 386 block of six with wide selvage, bright color, interesting excess ink at top of selvageFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1895 6-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Interestingly, a review of our computerized records indicates this is the first Mint N.H. plate block we have offered in over 13 years.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1895 ISSUE ON WATERMARKED PAPER. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,050.00 as 95, $7,000.00 as 98). This is the only XF-Superb 95 Jumbo awarded by P.S.E. to either No. 277 or 277a (hinged or N.H.). One No. 277a has received a Superb 98 OGph, and the best N.H. grade is one XF-Superb 95 for No. 277.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $11,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date to a Mint N.H. stamp (only four have received this grade)
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1898 ISSUE. THIS AMAZING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS COVETED GRADE.
With 1991 and 1997 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $15,200.00). The next-highest grade awarded is a 95, and only one has achieved that grade.
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00). We feel this stamp deserves a 95 grade.