Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue
1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Tied by "Salem Mass. Dec. (31) 630PM 1892" Pre-First Day duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on small cover to G. A. Lee, 10 Saunders Street, Salem Mass., neat "Lynn, Mass. Dec. 31 8PM 92 Rec'd" datestamp on backVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED PRE-FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE ONE-CENT COLUMBIAN--ONLY EIGHT PRE-FIRST DAYS ARE KNOWN FOR THE ENTIRE COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The official first day of issue of the Columbian Issue (excluding the 8c) was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday, when most post offices were closed. For this reason and the fact that there were no official first day ceremonies for new issues in this early period, philatelists have long considered January 2 as the accepted alternate First Day of Issue.
The only recorded Sunday, January 1, 1893, Columbian covers are franked with the 1c (three), 2c (five) and two each of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c. Two sets of covers with these six denominations were prepared by the Burger Brothers, New York City stamp dealers.
Six covers with 1c, 2c and 10c denominations are known used on December 31, 1892, which predates the official January 1 first day of issue. Five were postmarked at Salem, Massachusetts, and backstamped at Lynn, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892—two with the 1c and three with the 2c. These were undoubtedly mailed with the cooperation of philatelically minded postmasters. The 10c cover is postmarked at Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, and backstamped at East Lexington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892. There are also two covers with East Lexington, Massachusetts, double-circle datestamps dated December 30, 1892, and Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, December 30, 1892, backstamps—one with 1c and 2c stamps and a 1c Postage Due, and the other with a 2c. The 1c/2c cover received P.F. certificate 310412, and the 2c was submitted as no. 83438, but the P.F. declined opinion.
Ex Dr. Martin. With 1977 AFDCS and 1978 P.F. certificates.
2c Brown Violet, Columbian (231). Tied by "Salem Mass. Dec. (31) 630PM 1892" Pre-First Day duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on small cover to Mrs. Annie L. Batchelder, 10 Saunders Street, Salem Mass., neat "Lynn, Mass. Dec. 31 8PM 92 Rec'd" datestamp on backVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED PRE-FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE TWO-CENT COLUMBIAN--ONLY EIGHT PRE-FIRST DAYS ARE KNOWN FOR THE ENTIRE COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The official first day of issue of the Columbian Issue (excluding the 8c) was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday, when most post offices were closed. For this reason and the fact that there were no official first day ceremonies for new issues in this early period, philatelists have long considered January 2 as the accepted alternate First Day of Issue.
The only recorded Sunday, January 1, 1893, Columbian covers are franked with the 1c (three), 2c (five) and two each of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c. Two sets of covers with these six denominations were prepared by the Burger Brothers, New York City stamp dealers.
Six covers with 1c, 2c and 10c denominations are known used on December 31, 1892, which predates the official January 1 first day of issue. Five were postmarked at Salem, Massachusetts, and backstamped at Lynn, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892—two with the 1c and three with the 2c. These were undoubtedly mailed with the cooperation of philatelically minded postmasters. The 10c cover is postmarked at Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, and backstamped at East Lexington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892. There are also two covers with East Lexington, Massachusetts, double-circle datestamps dated December 30, 1892, and Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, December 30, 1892, backstamps—one with 1c and 2c stamps and a 1c Postage Due, and the other with a 2c. The 1c/2c cover received P.F. certificate 310412, and the 2c was submitted as no. 83438, but the P.F. declined opinion.
With 1977 AFDCS certificate.
1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Vertical pair, tied by "Boston Mass. Jan. 1 5PM 93" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on wood engraver's illustrated corner card cover to local address, small cover tear at topVERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED JANUARY 1, 1893, FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE ONE-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE--ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE ILLUSTRATED CORNER CARD.
The official first day of issue of the Columbian Issue (excluding the 8c) was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday, when most post offices were closed. For this reason and the fact that there were no official first day ceremonies for new issues in this early period, philatelists have long considered January 2 as the accepted alternate First Day of Issue.
The only recorded Sunday, January 1, 1893, Columbian covers are franked with the 1c (three), 2c (five) and two each of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c. Two sets of covers with these six denominations were prepared by the Burger Brothers, New York City stamp dealers.
Six covers with 1c, 2c and 10c denominations are known used on December 31, 1892, which predates the official January 1 first day of issue. Five were postmarked at Salem, Massachusetts, and backstamped at Lynn, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892—two with the 1c and three with the 2c. These were undoubtedly mailed with the cooperation of philatelically minded postmasters. The 10c cover is postmarked at Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, and backstamped at East Lexington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892. There are also two covers with East Lexington, Massachusetts, double-circle datestamps dated December 30, 1892, and Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, December 30, 1892, backstamps—one with 1c and 2c stamps and a 1c Postage Due, and the other with a 2c. The 1c/2c cover received P.F. certificate 310412, and the 2c was submitted as no. 83438, but the P.F. declined opinion.
With 1970 AFDCS certificate. Scott value $20,000.00
2c Brown Violet, Columbian (231). Rich color, tied by New York N.Y. Jan 1 6-PM 1893" First Day of Issue machine cancel on cover addressed to C. A. Burger at 100 7th St. in New York City, faint strike of receiving backstamp of the same dayVERY FINE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED JANUARY 1, 1893, FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE
2-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
This cover was prepared by the Burger Brothers, two famous New York City stamp dealers who stamped covers with the 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c Columbian denominations and had them postmarked on Sunday, January 1, 1893.
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., exquisite centering, incredibly fresh with wonderful color and clear impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PARTICULARLY HANDSOME MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00)
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, phenomenal centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER AND NO OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates with bottom part imprint selvage. With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $15,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98 and 100) and none share this desirable grade.
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Morton. With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,250.00). The P.S.E. Population Report lists only two original-gum stamps at a higher grade (one hinged at 100J and one Mint N.H. at 100) and only two others shares this lofty grade (both also hinged)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, exceptional centering, neat target cancel struck at bottom leaves the design fully visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F. -- A VERY DIFFICULT STAMP TO OBTAIN IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and is shared by no others. By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists one used stamp at 95J and none higher.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, precise centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. With 2005, 2010 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ 9,000.00). Only four grade higher (all 98) and seven are equal. By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. copy is 95, which has an SMQ value of $85,000.00. This is a phenomenal stamp for someone who values centering over Mint N.H. gum.