Sale 982 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 16-18 December, 2009
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (1c thru 8c, Scott 230-236)
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Fresh colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., wide Jumbo margins, bright color and fine impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $270.00 as 95, $1,200.00 as 98)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright white paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $270.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins all around, brilliant color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE, AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98). Of the 300 graded Mint N.H. copies this is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest possible grade on the grading chart. Two examples have graded just under this, at 100, including one which realized $14,500 hammer in our 2008 Rarities sale.
2c Columbian (231). Top imprint, plate no. 172 and "Q Q" at left block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, naturally short gum at top, few expertly rejoined perfs at top causing light gum soaks, left stamps vertical crease, appears Fine-Very Fine
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., bright color, detailed impression, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $530.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., deep rich color, detailed impression, choice centering and wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $530.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). Only four have graded higher to date
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., detailed impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $950.00 as 95, $4,000.00 as 98)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., beautiful centering, bright color, small natural inclusion, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, superior centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., choice centering, bright shade and clear impression, Extremely Fine, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF 90; SMQ $340.00)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, lightly hinged, marvelous depth of color and sharp impressionVERY FINE. A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR IN THE DEEPER OF TWO SHADES.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Signed Colson ("WHC" handstamp) and with 2009 P.S.E. certificate.
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., deep rich color and clear impression, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). Only six have graded higher to date.
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,100.00 as 95, $4,000.00 as 98).
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., warm color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
5c Columbian (234). Block of four, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., fresh, rich color, Fine-Very Fine
5c Columbian (234). Top left imprint, plate no. 10 and letter "B" block of ten, stamps Mint N.H., lightly hinged in ungummed part of selvage, bright shade, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, an impressive plate number multiple with full corner selvage, Scott Retail as hinged plate block of eight and two Mint N.H. singles
5c Columbian (234). Perfectly centered with wide balanced margins, rich color and fine impression, neat waving flag machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $540.00), one of only two in this grade with one higher
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. with right selvage, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, magnificent deep rich color with proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICANT JUMBO-MARGINED MINT NEVER-HINGED 6-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $980.00 as 95, $5,500.00 as 98). This is one of five in this grade with only six higher; in our opinion, this deserves a 98J grade (and beats the 98's out there)
6c Columbian (235). Top imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, bit heavy natural gum wrinkles, few perf separations at top sensibly reinforced, appears Very Fine
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and nearly perfectly centered, intense color on bright crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, stunning appearance, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $950.00 as 95, $5,450.00 as 98)
8c Columbian (236). Bottom imprint, plate no. 129 and letter "I I" at right block of eight, original gum, stamps Mint N.H., deep rich color, detailed impression, few perf separations expertly rejoined in selvage only at bottom left, Fine