Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Small Die Proofs on Wove (285P2-293P2). Complete set, each on original gray card backing, brilliant colors throughoutVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COMPLETE SET OF THE 1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
Each proof with 1990 P.F. certificate
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., exceedingly well-centered, bright color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00), only two grade higher
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Outstanding centering with wide margins, bright shade on fresh paper, light wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only one used Scott 285 grades higher (at 98J, also ex Kirke), one other shares this grade
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,600.00). Only two grade higher (one at 100 and one at 100J) and only three others share this desirable grade
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Radiant color, perfectly centered with wide margins, bold parallel bars machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), more than 159 million of the 2c stamp were printed, yet to find a truly superbly centered and sound used example is astonishingly difficult, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only this and three other used stamps at 98 with only one higher (at 100)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. with top imprint selvage, vibrant color framed by beautifully balanced Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2005 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00). Only five grade higher (highest is 98J). We do not know if any of those five are imprint or plate number examples, but the two higher grades we have sold are not.
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $500.00), only three grade higher (highest is 98)
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H. with top imprint selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00). Only seven grade higher
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Deep rich color and sharp impression on bright paper, light duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Helton, with 2018 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 609 selvage, choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1995 and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, bold Cincinnati double oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 1989, 2005 and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with top imprint selvage, wide and balanced margins, gorgeous color and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00). Only seven grade higher (all at 98)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Perfectly centered with wide margins, fresh color on bright paper, neat oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a used 10c Trans-Mississippi and it is equaled by only two others
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., rich color, proof-like impression, exceptional centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The design of the 50c Trans-Mississippi is based on a drawing by Frederic Remington titled Gold Bug, which was published in 1897 in New York as part of a series of drawings. It depicts a single prospector in a barren landscape, hammer in one hand and a gold prospecting pan in the other, with his dog and two pack mules. The design was originally considered for the $2.00 (an essay is known) but it was ultimately used for the 50c.
The 50c Trans-Mississippi is extremely scarce in well-centered condition. It also seems that fewer 50c stamps exist in Mint N.H. condition, relative to the dollar values of the set. The combination of Extremely Fine centering and Mint N.H. condition is exponentially rarer.
With 2007 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $14,000.00). Only two stamps grade higher (both Superb 98, one is the ex "Hanover" stamp which realized $47,500 hammer in Siegel Sale 1122). We have not offered another in this grade since 2010.
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Detailed impression, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00), only five grade higher
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., outstanding centering, intense shade on post office fresh paper, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engravingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS STAMP IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE EVER ISSUED.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. philately. According to Brookman, the picture is supposed to portray cattle in the American West and is labelled "Western Cattle In Storm" at bottom. However, the subject of the original painting by J. A. MacWhirter, who specialized in romantic landscapes and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at the age of 14, was cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.
This issue's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those rare examples combining everything that could be desired.
Ex "Beverly Hills". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $19,000.00). Only four Mint N.H. stamps grade higher (at 98 -- the last we sold, in 2016, brought $62,500 hammer)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Essentially perfect centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, very light duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. philately. According to Brookman, the picture is supposed to portray cattle in the American West and is labelled "Western Cattle In Storm" at bottom. However, the subject of the original painting by J. A. MacWhirter, who specialized in romantic landscapes and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at the age of 14, was cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.
The dollar-value Trans-Mississippi stamps 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.
With 2000 and 2009 P.F. certificates. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $11,750.00). Only one used stamp grades higher (the Gem 100 Jumbo offered in our 2012 Rarities sale). The P.S.E. Population Report also lists one other Superb 98, but that stamp has a P.F. certificate calling an ink covered scrape
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, unusually choice centering with wide margins, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue is widely regarded as being the most difficult denomination of the series to obtain with any decent-size margins. The margins are almost always narrow on the $2.00, making it difficult for collectors of Gem-quality stamps to fill this space in their albums.
Ex Bakwin. With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Rich intense color on bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of oval duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP, WITH GORGEOUS COLOR, CHOICE CENTERING, UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL AND OVERALL FRESHNESS, IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi depicts the Eads bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The original engraving was used on the admission ticket to the Republican Convention of 1896, which nominated William McKinley as candidate for president. The stamp, issued during the McKinley Administration, illustrates the natural boundary between East and West and so was appropriate for the Trans-Mississippi issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Brookman notes "the $2.00 is not easy to obtain well-centered as many of these stamps seem to be perforated close to the top and its color is such that it cancels rather badly. This combination makes fine used copies difficult to obtain. I consider it more difficult to obtain in choice used condition than any of the high values of the Columbian issue."
With 2018 P.F. (XF-Superb 95), 2017 P.S.A.G. (95 used) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a used $2.00 Trans-Mississippi, with only five others equal
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). With wide top plate no. 606 selvage, original gum, tiny h.r., attractively centered, Very Fine, ex Diamond, with 2018 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). With top plate no. 613 selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, choice centering and marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2012 and 2017 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)