Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Imperforate (219a-229a). Complete set of pairs including No. 219D and additional shade of 2c Carmine, original gum, most with just a single light hinge mark, ample to large margins throughout, fresh colors, 2c Lake with small thins spot
VERY FINE. A SCARCE AND CHOICE COMPLETE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE 1890-93 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
15c with 1992 P.F. certificate.
90c Orange, Imperforate (229a). Block of four, large to huge margins including full bottom imprint, top pair original gum, bottom pair Mint N.H., rich color, light natural gum crease not noted on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT IMPERFORATE 1890 ISSUE, SHOWING THE FULL IMPRINT AT BOTTOM AND WITH THE BOTTOM STAMPS IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott value as two hinged pairs (now listed as 229P5).
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide margins, rich color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others. This is the only example in this grade we have ever offered.
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 288 and letter "D" block of 14, brilliant color, choice centering throughout, some perf separations expertly reinforced in ungummed selvage
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF 14 OF THE ONE-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
Using Power Search to review the Mint N.H. plate blocks of Scott 219 offered in our auctions over the past 30 years reveals an astonishing statistic—this is the only Mint N.H. top position plate block among the approximately 15 blocks we have sold. Every other Mint N.H. example was from the bottom position. With 2024 P.F. certificate.
2c Lake (219D). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, sharp proof-like impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE IN THE LAKE SHADE.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90).
2c Lake (219D). Intense color in the Lake shade, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, neat cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
2c Carmine (220). Mint N.H. (faint pencil on gum not mentioned on certificate), brilliant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only four grade higher (all at 98J, we have never offered any) and four others share this desirable grade. This is the first in this grade we have offered since 2009.
2c Carmine (220). Brilliant color, gorgeous centering, machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only five grade higher (four at 98J, one at 100)
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2" (220a). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, sharp impression which clearly shows the variety
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH CAP ON THE LEFT "2"
Ex "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". With copy of 1990 P.F. certificate for block of six and with 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates as single (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F., and P.S.E. has only graded one higher at 95J.
2c Carmine, Cap on Both "2" (220c). Mint N.H., radiant color, choice centering, slight red offset spots on gum are completely natural but for some reason noted on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1890 2-CENT WITH CAP ON BOTH "2" VARIETY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER.
Only a small percentage of 2c 1890s were printed from Plates 245 and 246, which contained the Cap on Both "2" variety. Examples in Mint N.H. condition are rare (only seven others were located with Power Search), and of those surviving Mint N.H. stamps, only a handful are in high grades.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85). Only one grades higher (at 90, ex Whitman and not offered by us since 2009) and no others share this grade.
3c Purple (221). Mint N.H. with wide top right corner selvage, deep rich color, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one grades higher (at 98, ex "Scarsdale") and only two others share this grade (one ex Whitman).
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color on crisp paper, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1890 ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART. TRULY A CONDITION RARITY.
Ex "Hanover". With 1992 P.F. and 2005 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $14,500.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart, and only two other Scott 223s shares this grade. In fact, there are no other Mint N.H. stamps graded 100J among all the denominations of the 1890-93 Issue.
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hanover". With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only two grade higher (at 98J and 100, we have never offered either) and three others share this grade.
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH MASSIVE MARGINS.
Ex Whitman. With 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only six grade higher (three each at 98 and 98J) and only five others share this desirable grade.
10c Green (226). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, perfectly balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills" and Przybyl. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one stamp grades higher (at 98J, realized $18,000 in 2009) and only one other shares this lofty grade.
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 1994 and 2009 P.F. certificates
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, phenomenal centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 1993 P.F. and 2007 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
90c Orange (229). Mint N.H., radiant color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE. AS PRISTINE AS THE DAY IT WAS PRINTED.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). With 2025 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo). Only five grade higher (three at 95, one each at 95J and 98).
90c Orange (229). Vibrant color, perfectly centered with wide margins, unobtrusive cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J, we have never offered it) and three others share this lofty grade.