Sale 978 — The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Friday, 4 December, 2009
Category — Trans-Mississippi Issue
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., wide margins and perfect centering, wonderful rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ONE-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMP, WHICH HAS ACHIEVED THE COVETED P.S.E GRADE OF SUPERB 98.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $2,200.00). According to the P.S.E. Population Report this is one of twelve Mint N.H. 1c Trans-Mississippi's to have been awarded this grade with only one higher
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and perfect centering, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT TWO-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMP, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,500.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date in the P.S.E. Population Report and only two others share this grade. Considering how common the basic 2c Trans-Mississippi stamp is, this low population speaks volumes about the difficulty of finding truly superb examples of this issue in Mint N.H. condition.
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vivid color on post-office fresh paper, perfect centering with incredibly wide Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO HAVE ACHIEVED THIS GRADE TO DATE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $11,300.00 as 98). There are none grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report and only this single example at this lofty grade. A Superb 98 example realized $15,500 in our Whitman sale
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression on fresh paper, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00). Only four have graded higher to date.
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with imprint at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $26,400.00). Only two have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report and only four others share this grade.
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., gorgeous deep rich color and perfect impression which shows every nuance of the engraving, perfectly centered with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Ex Scarsdale. 2000 and 2002 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $16,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in any category and only four others share this grade
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., intense color and impression, beautifully centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
The 50c Trans-Mississippi is extremely scarce in well-centered condition. It also seems that fewer 50c stamps exist in Mint N.H. condition, relative to the dollar values of the set. The combination of Extremely Fine centering and Mint N.H. condition is exponentially rarer.
1999 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $18,200.00). Only one has graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report and only three others share this grade.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., intense shade on post office fresh paper, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engravingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those rare examples combining everything that could be desired.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $30,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date to a Mint N.H. stamp, and only five others have achieved this grade.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THE COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL, THE PAPER IS FRESH, THE IMPRESSION IS INTENSE AND THE GUM IS ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TO ACHIEVE THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
Looking at this stamp, we are compelled to ask the question, if this is a 95, what is a 98 or 100? The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Ex Scarsdale. 1978 and 2000 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $55,400.00)