Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1894-95 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-278)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and perfectly centered, pretty pastel colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED ONE-CENT 1894 BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., intense color in the deeper end of the color spectrum, on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H., vibrant color on fresh paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, according to Brookman the color of this issue (like the 1c, Scott 246) proved unsatisfactory and so it was in production for only a few months before the color was changed, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only five have graded higher (highest is a 98)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. Examples with desirable centering tend to have Jumbo margins at either sides or top and bottom, but rarely on all four sides. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
Ex Gorham. With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded one at 98 Jumbo and one at 100 Jumbo. We have never offered the P.S.E. 98 Jumbo in one of our auctions, but the stamp offered here compares very favorably to the 100 Jumbo we offered in our Whitman and Merlin sales.
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H. with wide right plate no. 4 selvage, rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00), especially desirable in this high grade with the plate number selvage
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H. rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former as a block
4c Dark Brown (254). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, proof-like impression, absolutely enormous margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 4-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STUNNING STAMP, NOTEWORTHY FOR THE IMPOSING SIZE OF ITS MARGINS, PRISTINE GUM, LONG PERFORATIONS AND INTENSE COLOR.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,750.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98J, one was offered in our Merlin sale)
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., intense shade, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,900.00). Only three have graded higher (highest is a 98)
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Beckley. With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,200.00). We are surprised this did not receive a Jumbo designation. Only four have graded higher (two 95J and two 98).
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE. ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
Collectors of this issue know that it is extremely difficult to find the first Bureau issue in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note contract expired.
With 1998 P.F. certificate for pair and 2006 P.F. certificate for single.
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide margins, brilliant color, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TY. II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only five others share it.
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with wide bottom selvage, intense color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 4-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE, SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER STAMP.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. This is the first time we have offered this grade in one of our auctions.
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., attractive warm shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $300.00)
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 451 selvage, rich color, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE TOP POSITION PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only two have graded higher (both 95J).
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H., absolutely stunning deep color contrasted by bright paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with wonderful visual appeal, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
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, Rubin and "Natalee Grace". With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $30,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded 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 ISSUE 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, Rubin and "Natalee Grace". With 1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only one other shares this grade. One could also argue that this is the highest grade awarded showing the "R" of the "USIR" watermark.
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper which gives this a stunning appearance, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION AND A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only two are graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (one 95J and one 98)
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Dr. Killien. With 2001 P.F. and 2001 and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $1,450.00 as 90). We are aware of only two others graded higher.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade and detailed impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. No other categories (Used, No Gum or Mint N.H.) have graded higher. We have offered only four Mint N.H. copies in total since the mid-1990's (the highest grade for Mint N.H. is a single copy at 90), so collectors should view this lightly-hinged example graded XF-Superb 95 as a true condition rarity.