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New York, NY 10036
Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c-10c 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (264, 268, 269, 272, 273). Five used stamps notable for their superior centering and overall condition, bright colors, fresh and Extremely Fine, individually picked by the collector, these are highly suitable for those looking for quality in even the smallest stamps, 3c with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $215.00)
5c Chocolate (270). Perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, socked-on-the-nose strike of Boston circular datestamp, long and full perforations all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2006 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
6c Dull Brown (271). Brilliant color, almost perfectly centered, neat strike of Boston oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $325.00), only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing clear "R" of watermark, unusually choice centering for this difficult variety, radiant color, neat cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WITH THE "R" OF "USIR" WATERMARK. ONLY 27 USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO US, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our updated census of this issue, published at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/271a/271a.pdf , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. Fifteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The other twelve are split exactly equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.
Census No. 271a-CAN-08. Ex Hoffner and Rubin. With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $32,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing clear "I" of watermark, radiant color, unobtrusive strike of duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WITH THE "I" OF "USIR" WATERMARK. ONLY 27 USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO US.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our updated census of this issue, published at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/271a/271a.pdf , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. Fifteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The other twelve are split exactly equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.
Census No. 271a-CAN-16. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear "I" of "USIR" watermark, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unobtrusive strike of duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUES ON THE "USIR" WATERMARKED PAPER. A PHENOMENAL CONDITION RARITY.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws.
With 1980 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00 as 95, unpriced in SMQ as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear "R" of "USIR" watermark, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, intense color and detailed impression, face-free strike of cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUES ON THE "USIR" WATERMARKED PAPER. THIS STAMP HAS ALL THE QUALITIES ONE COULD HOPE TO FIND -- WIDE MARGINS, RICH COLOR, BRIGHT PAPER, FULL PERFORATIONS AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws.
Ex Hoffner and Rubin. With 1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). Only one has graded higher to date (offered in the previous lot) and only one other shares this grade. One could also argue that this is the highest grade awarded to date showing the "R" of the "USIR" watermark.
10c Dark Green (273). Unusually wide margins and flawless centering, lovely rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of Minnesota oval town cancel, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, very difficult to find in this superior quality, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $720.00), only three other used examples share this grade and none have graded higher
15c Dark Blue (274). Beautifully centered, deep shade on bright paper, light strike of face-free cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
50c Orange (275). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $75.00), in our opinion this is undergraded
50c Red Orange (275a). Intense color in the distinct Red Orange sub-shade, detailed impression, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins, light strike of rim of circular datestamp at lower left leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of the Red Orange shade, this shade is not known on its unwatermarked counterpart (Scott 260), ex Hinrichs, with 2004 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Intense shade and impression beautifully complemented by bright paper, virtually face-free oval registry cancel, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00), only two have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, intense shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1994 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00, this is the highest grade awarded to date and only five others share this grade
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Perfectly centered with wide margins, magnificent color on bright paper which is nicely contrasted by double oval registry and red cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED ISSUE.
The $2.00 Watermarked issue (Scott 277) was issued in significantly greater quantities than its unwatermarked counterpart (10,027 of Scott 262 versus 31,720 of Scott 277). However, the watermarked $2.00 is almost as difficult to find in superbly centered used condition with an attractive cancel. The P.S.E. Population Report lists seven examples graded XF-90 or above of No. 262 and only eight of No. 277.
With 1999 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98) and only three others share this grade.
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Intense color and proof-like impression in the distinct Dark Blue color, bright paper, bold strikes of oval registry cancels nicely frame Madison's face, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine example of this desirable shade variety, with 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Wide margins for this difficult issue with precise centering, rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, light strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
The $5.00 stamps were generally used on heavy parcels, high-value registered covers or philatelic covers. Heavy parcels and registered package wrappers were usually discarded, and the high-denomination stamps were typically heavily cancelled. Only one cover is known bearing this issue -- a philatelic registered use to Bohemia with a single stamp cancelled by a circular datestamp. The stamp offered here, cancelled by an oval registry, with perfect centering and in pristine condition, is truly remarkable.
With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $10,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.
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