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, Watermarked and Color Change (Scott 264-284)







EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. NO OTHER USED EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE HAS EXCEEDED A 95 GRADE.
With 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,050.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded for a 6c Watermarked stamp in any condition category. The next highest grade for a used stamp is 95.

VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR. ONLY 27 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. 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-05. With 1994 and 2010 P.F. certificates. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Fine 70; SMQ $6,750.00)





EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and this stamp is the only example to achieve it


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED 1895 BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
The dollar-value Bureaus are rarely found with centering that would qualify for a high numerical grade, but in used condition they are further handicapped by heavy registry cancels, which almost invariably knock points off the final grade. The $1.00 Type I 1895 Issue offered here is extraordinary not only for its precise centering and wide margins, but the lightly-struck cancel leaves the entire design visible.
With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this lofty grade -- a statistic that has not changed in four years


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR 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 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade.


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1895 BUREAU DOLLAR VALUES ARE EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS ULTRA-HIGH GRADE, ESPECIALLY WITH A LIGHT CANCELLATION. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The $5.00 stamps were generally used on heavy parcels or high-value registered covers that were usually discarded, and the high-denomination stamps were typically heavily cancelled. The stamp offered here, cancelled by a registry oval, with perfect centering and in pristine condition, is truly remarkable.
With 2011 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $10,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two other stamps









EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY RARE STAMP COMBINING PERFECT CENTERING, VIVID COLOR AND A SPECTACULAR FANCY CANCEL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate as a "blue" star which it is not (Superb 98; SMQ $960.00 as ordinary cancel), this is the highest graded example and one of only two 98's in the P.S.E. Population Report. We are confident in saying that we have encountered no other used example of this issue that is the equal to this spectacular stamp

