Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)




EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 ONE-CENT BLUE ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others. This is the first in this grade we have offered since our 2012 Merlin sale.




















VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE RARE UNWATERMARKED 5-CENT 1894 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office.
Ex Liberman. With 1990 P.F. certificate for strip of three











EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE PROPORTIONS.
Ex Merlin. With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,000.00). Only three grade higher (one at 98, two at 98J) and only five others share this grade.


EXTREMELY FINE PART ARROW MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems.
Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.. Examples with selvage are particularly desirable as the lack of watermark is far more obvious. We have not offered another Mint N.H. example graded 90 or higher since 2009.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $14,500.00). Only two Mint N.H. examples grade higher (at 95 and 95J) and only four others share this grade.


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Merlin. With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,250.00). Only three grade higher (at 95J) and three others share this desirable grade. This is the only example at this grade we have offered. For comparison purposes, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is XF 90 (two at that grade).


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $21,000.00). Only four others share this grade and only one grades higher. Collectors waiting for a Mint N.H. example in higher grades will have a very long wait -- the highest grade awarded thus far to a Mint N.H. copy is 80.