Sale 1163 — The Clipper City Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 19 September, 2017
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp in every respect, with 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $400.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H., vivid color on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H., gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Curtis, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $275.00), only ten have graded higher
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H., deep shade, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), only two Mint N.H. examples have been graded higher (both at 98)
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins for this issue, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1990, 2001 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only four have graded higher (highest is 98)
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.
Ex "Hanover". 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., intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with copy of 1999 P.F. certificate for pair and 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,950.00), only six have graded higher
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A VERY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00), only three have graded higher
50c Orange (275). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1992 P.F. (for block) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, bright shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Allen. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded for any unused Scott 276 and it is shared by only four others (one Mint N.H.)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, unusually choice centering, tiny natural gum wrinkle at top right mentioned on most recent accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, ex Hansen, with 1968 P.F. (for block of four) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,750.00)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
Ex Curtis. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,300.00). Only one unused stamp in any gum condition has been graded higher (hinged, at 100)
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, fresh vivid color, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP WITH TREMENDOUS VISUAL APPEAL.
With 2000 (as Mint N.H.) and 2008 P.F. certificates (OGph, XF 90). With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $3,500.00). This is a difficult stamp to find in the higher grades -- the P.S.E. Population Report lists only nine hinged examples graded higher