Sale 1359 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 22-24 July, 2025
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue Singles
1c-$1.00 Columbian (230-241). Unused set to the $1.00, mostly original gum, 30c and $1.00 regummed, 15c with top letter selvage, few faults, overall Fine with a couple lower values Very Fine
1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only ten grade higher
2c Brown Violet, Columbian (231). Original gum, single hinge mark, Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, an astonishing stamp, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ at this grade, SMQ $375 as 100), this is one of two unused 2c Columbians at this highest of grades (the other, Mint N.H., realized $13,000 hammer in our Sale 982)
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H., beautifully centered and exceedingly fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only ten grade higher
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H., rich color and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
4c Ultramarine, Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). Only three grade higher (one each at 98J, 100 and 100J)
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. with right selvage, natural straight edge at top where there is a small tear, deep rich color in the lighter of the two recognized shades
FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from other panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate. SCV $32,500.
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, gorgeous deep color in the darker of the two recognized shades
FINE AND SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from other panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Light pencil notation on back. With 1991 P.F. certificate.
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, near perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. (XF-Superb 95)
8c Magenta, Columbian (236). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, deep rich color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, near perfect centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.A.G.
With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (Superb 98).
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Mint N.H., exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With 1995 and 2021 P.F. certificates (Superb 98).
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Original gum, with left selvage, deep rich color, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). SCV $450
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Mint N.H., detailed impression, Very Fine, with 1978 and 2021 P.F. certificates (F-VF 75), with ungraded 2019 P.S.E. certificate
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Mint N.H., detailed impression, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85).
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Original gum, choice centering with balanced margins, small natural straw inclusion at left, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. (XF 90) and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (ungraded)
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, horizontal crease, two short perfs, otherwise Very Fine, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate noting these condition issues and 2021 P.F. certificate noting horizontal and vertical crease
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Original gum, h.r., excellent centering, couple thin specks, appears Extremely Fine
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Intense color and proof-like impression in the distinct Olive Green shade, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of circular datestamp at left, almost perfectly centered
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE.
Approximately half the number of $3.00 Columbian stamps was issued compared to each of the $1.00 and $2.00. We do not know the distribution of quantity for the two shades. Sales of the Columbians were disappointing to the post office, as collectors complained about the high price of the stamps. Plans to print additional quantities were cancelled. There was speculation in the dollar-value Columbians at the time they were issued, and the quantity which were used was fairly small.
Ex "Natalee Grace" and Myerson. With 2002 and 2012 P.F. certificates.
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Original gum, top part slightly disturbed from hinge removal but not noted as such on certificate, vibrant color, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate (OGh, XF 90).
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, vibrant color, fresh and Very Fine example of this shade, with 1996 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Original gum, single hinge mark, intense shade and impression, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1992 P.S.E. and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90).