Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — 1890 Issue, Columbian Issue, 1894-98 Bureau Issue
2c Lake (219D). Double transfer in left "2", deep rich color, tied by "Newark, N. J. Feb. 22 10 AM 90" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on European-size cover to local addressA VERY FINE AND CELEBRATED COVER. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER OF ANY 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
This cover was formerly owned by Ed Siskin, who collaborated with Henry Scheuer for an article about the cover, published in the January-February 1979 issue of First Days (the publication of the American First Day Cover Society). Although many 1890 values were available at over 400 post offices, this is the only First Day cover to have surfaced. Today, 40 years after the article was written, it is still the only known First Day for the issue.
Ex Siskin and Dr. Martin. With 1975 AFDCS and 1975 P.F. certificates. Scott value $35,000.00.
90c Orange (229). Rich color, tied by "New York N.Y. Jan. 6 2:30PM 1893" machine cancel on cover with printed address to famed philatelist Hiram E. Deats in Flemington N.J., receiving backstampVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USE OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE ON COVER. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED COMPLETE ENVELOPES WITH THIS HIGH DENOMINATION.
Our census of 90c 1890 uses includes 7 envelopes, 5 wrappers, 4 tags and 2 qualifying pieces, for a total of 18 items. This is a philatelically inspired use of the 90c 1890 on a printed envelope to the famous collector, Hiram E. Deats, who was known as the "Philatelic Farmer of Flemington." Deats, who was 22 years old when he received this cover, lived until the age of 93.
Illustrated in Chronicle 107 (Aug. 1980). Listed but unpriced in Scott on cover.
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense fiery color on fresh paper, lightly struck mute double-oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN HIGHER USED GRADES.
Ex Kirke. With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,600.00). Only one used stamp grades higher (at 95J).
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Bright shade and detailed impression, unusually wide and balanced margins for this difficult issue, bold strike of "52" duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,850.00). Only three grade higher.
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Intense shade on bright paper, outstanding centering with wide margins, registry oval and also small portion of red cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING USED USED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.
With 1968 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and razor-sharp impression, light face-free target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH THE P.F. AND P.S.E.
With 2018 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). With 2010 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,000.00). Only two examples grade higher at P.S.E. (both 98).
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear bold "R" of watermark, visible even without fluid, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color, very light cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE WITH "USIR" WATERMARK. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
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. Collectors prefer examples showing the "R" watermark, as this letter is unequivocally from "USIR", while a partial "P" (from "USPS") can sometimes fool collectors by appearing as an "I".
Ex "Alan". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only two stamps grade higher (at 95J) and only one other shares this grade. The other example graded 95, while also showing the more desirable "R" watermark, has a much heavier cancel than the example offered here. At least one of the two examples graded 95J shows the "I" of the watermark. The combination of the "R" watermark and light cancel arguably makes this the most desirable P.S.E. graded Scott 272a.
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., exceptional centering with balanced margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The 10c Green 1895 Issue with double-line watermark superseded the 1894 unwatermarked Scott 258 and was subsequently replaced by the 10c Type I and Type II issues in Brown and Orange Brown (Scott 282C and 283) in 1898, during the color changes necessitated by the Universal Postal Union. Examples of any of the 10c Bureau issues in Mint N.H. condition graded higher than 95 are exceedingly rare. This is the only Scott 273 graded 98 by the P.F., while P.S.E. has graded only three at 98 and none higher.
With 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and it is shared by no others.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 85 strip of three, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, well-centered and completely soundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE WIDE TOP MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN AT LEAST 30 YEARS.
A Power Search review reveals how rare Scott 278 is as a Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strip. The only examples we have offered since 1993 were a bottom strip of three (small crease, Sale 1244, lot 373) and a narrow top strip of three with h.r. in selvage (Sale 920, lot 157). This wide top Mint N.H. strip, in sound and centered condition is in a class by itself. It is also an excellent alternative to a plate block, of which only one exists (and catalogues $200,000.00).
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ). Scott does not list a Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strip. Scott value for three Mint N.H. singles is $18,750.00, which does not remotely convey the rarity of this piece.