Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues, Unwatermarked (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Massive Jumbo margins and perfect centering, bright color, neat Boston double oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $950.00 as 98), this is the sole example to achieve this desirable grade with none higher, the next highest is a single example at 95J
1c Blue (247). Uncharacteristically wide Jumbo margins, attractive color and neat circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00 as 98, unpriced in any higher grade), this is the only used No. 247 awarded this lofty grade with only one other that exceeds it
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Vivid color, beautifully balanced margins, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), this is the only example to achieve this near-perfect grade with none higher
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Vibrant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, the 2c shades are among the most difficult issues to obtain in choice condition, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $950.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mathematically precise centering, fresh color, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, absolute perfection, with 2010 P.F. (as Scott 250a) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $750.00 as 98), this is the only example to achieve this lofty grade with none higher
2c Scarlet, Ty. I (250b). Vivid color, wide balanced margins, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. (as Scott 250b) and P.S.E. (as Scott 250) certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $200.00)
4c Dark Brown (254). Perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich color on bright white paper, completely face-free cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 4-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,350.00 as 98). This is the only stamp to achieve this illustrious grade. The next highest in the P.S.E. Population Report is 95J. The centering combined with the light cancel and fresh color make this a true condition rarity
5c Chocolate (255). Wide margins and almost mathematically perfect centering, rich color, clear strike of purple Registered straightline cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, an outstanding stamp combining margins, centering, color and a better cancel, with 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
6c Dull Brown (256). Choice balanced margins, rich color and clear impression, face-free cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00), only two have been graded higher (both at 95J)
8c Violet Brown (257). Precise centering with Jumbo margins, fresh color on bright paper, neat strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $440.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this unwatermarked Bureau issue is very scarce in such a high grade, this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade, the next highest is a 90
10c Dark Green (258). Jumbo balanced margins, bright shade on crisp paper, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
15c Dark Blue (259). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper, light face-free cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. (XF 90) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $960.00), only two examples have been graded higher
50c Orange (260). Jumbo margins and precise centering, vivid color on fresh paper, neat town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 50-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,500.00 as 95). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded. The P.S.E. Population Report lists only three used stamps graded better than 90 -- one each at 90J and 95, and this example at 95J
$1.00 Black (261). Uncharacteristically wide margins for this issue and perfectly centered, very light cancel, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A NOTEWORTHY USED STAMP, AS THE 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE $1.00 STAMPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING SMALL MARGINS AND POOR CENTERING, AS WELL AS HEAVY CANCELS. THIS REMARKABLE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Type I, which is defined as having an incomplete circle around the left "$1", occurred on 150 of the 200 subjects of Plate 76. However, the $1.00 unwatermarked stamps are notorious for having small margins. To date there are no stamps graded 100, only one has graded 98J, the example offered in the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1027, lot 138), though it also has a heavier cancel. Only this example along with one other have graded 98. Far fewer of the unwatermarked stamps were issued compared to its watermarked counterpart -- 26,284 of Scott 261 were issued compared to 192,449 of the watermarked Scott 276. They were mostly used on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps.
With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,400.00).
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Wide and balanced margins, detailed impression on bright paper, light cancelEXTREMEY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1993 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00). Only two have graded higher (at 95)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Gorgeous centering and margins, rich color on wonderful bright paper, light strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP TO FIND WITH PERFECT CENTERING AND A LIGHT CANCEL.
Brookman notes "Only 10,027 of this stamp were issued and for some reason the centering on most of the copies we have seen is very poor." This amounts to just a bit more than 100 panes. Only a small number were used, mostly on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be heavily cancelled and many were damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps. No covers are known. Given Brookman's comments on centering, the existence of this superb stamp is a true anomaly.
With 1979 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others have achieved this grade
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Deep rich color, beautifully balanced margins, light strike of oval cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A LOVELY USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
A Power Search review revealed very few examples that combine both choice centering and a light cancel.
With 1988 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $2,400.00)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Huge margins, rich color, on bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, bold strike of registry oval cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2005 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF 80 Jumbo). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $2,400.00 as 80, $3,700.00 as 85). Only three have graded higher.