Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H., brilliant color and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., lovely crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (255). Top imprint and plate no. 54 block of six, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top side stamps barely hinged, top center stamp single hinge mark, pretty shade, Fine-Very Fine, the top center and top right stamps are especially nice, ex "Whitpain"
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, tiny perf hole tear at top left, Fine appearance
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only seven grade higher (three each at 95J and 98 and one at 100J), this is the first in this grade we have offered in five years
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 170 block of six with wide selvage, radiant color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Field, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
15c Dark Blue (274). Original gum, intense shade and detailed impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98), SCV $200
15c Dark Blue (274). Top imprint and plate no. 52 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, top right and top center stamps thin spot from hinge removal, Fine appearance, the 15c was printed from two plates — numbers 52 and 264 — the latter has a different style of imprint, plate blocks are very scarce
15c Dark Blue, Imperforate (274P5; formerly 274a). Mint N.H. left sheet margin horizontal pair, large margins other sides, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, this is the only Mint N.H. example we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 2013 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, wonderful depth of color, attractive centering and margins
VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE WATERMARKED 1895 $2.00 BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE, WITH PART IMPRINT.
As an indication of rarity, this is the only other example in Mint N.H. condition we have offered since our 2009 sale of the Alan B. Whitman collection.
With 2001 P.S.E. and 2012 P.F. certificates.
$2.00 Dark Blue, Imperforate (277P5; formerly 277b). Horizontal pair, original gum, large margins to ample at lower left, rich color, light wrinkle, still Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (278). With wide left selvage with part arrow, original gum, there was once a tiny amount of mount disturbance or a gum soak at the top right corner evident in the perfs on front but it has been expertly removed, Very Fine and choice, ex Hoffman, with 2005 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H., 2023 P.F. certificate no. 598155, as lightly hinged, no longer accompanies, Scott value as hinged
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2025 P.F. certificate.
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H. with part imprint bottom selvage, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate
15c Olive Green (284). Top imprint and plate no. 264 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, lightly hinged except positions 1 and 3 Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, few expertly reinforced perf separations in top selvage only
VERY FINE. A RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1898 15-CENT BUREAU ISSUE FROM THE DESIRABLE TOP PLATE POSITION. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PLATE BLOCK TO FIND WITH WIDE TOP SELVAGE.
Top position plate blocks are scarce. We have never offered one in Mint N.H. condition from the top position and we have offered only one Mint N.H. from the bottom position.
With 2011 P.F. certificate.