Sale 968A — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 April, 2009
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)










EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1890 ISSUE WITH A CAP ON BOTH "2"s THAT WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Only a small percentage of 2c 1890's were printed from Plates 245 and 246, which contained the Cap on Both 2's variety. Examples in Mint N.H. condition are rare (only six were located with Power Search), and of those surviving Mint N.H. stamps, only a handful are in high grades.
With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. In fact, 90 is the highest grade with a catalogue value in SMQ -- it is unpriced in any higher grade.


VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE COMBINATION BLOCK SHOWING BOTH VARIETIES OF CAP OVER "2". A HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE ITEM.
According to Brookman, the varieties were caused by a breakdown of the metal of the transfer roll. There is only one plate of the dozens used which contains a combination of both varieties -- Plate 246.
Ex Golin, Blumenkopf and Floyd. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles does not reflect the rarity of this multiple -- the bottom combination pair with both varieties is Mint N.H.


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PARTICULARLY WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1986 and 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98) and none share this grade.






EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1890 ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER SELVAGE -- A STUNNING STAMP.
With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95).


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH MASSIVE MARGINS.
With 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This magnificent stamp is the only example to achieve this grade.




EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1990 and 1993 P.F. certificates


EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTCULAR CORNER MARGIN COPY OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
With 1997 P.F. certificate.