Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — 1870-75 Continental Bank Note Company Issues (Scott 157-179)
2c Brown (157). Choice centering, rich color complemented by blue circle of Vs cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Saadi, with 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Green (158). Massive Jumbo margins with natural straight edge at right, "76" in Shield 1876 Centennial fancy cancel, Extremely Fine stamp with a desirable cancel
6c Dull Pink (159). Well-centered, cancelled by clear strike of "Yokohama (Japan) May 22" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, a marvelous combination of quality and rare cancellation, ex Floyd, with 1992 and 2008 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (161). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Excellent centering, bright blue segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Dr. Morris and Mayer, with 1991, 1996 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Bright color and attractive centering, extremely bold strike of dark blue "E" cancel (Peoria Ill. according to Cole), Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, well-centered, charcoal gray shade, fine impression on fresh paper
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING.
The 30c Continental is extremely elusive in sound original-gum condition with Very Fine or better centering. Blocks have always been rare — for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six — which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples.
Ex Odeneal. With 2000 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on crisp paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 166, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
The Superb 98 grade becomes exponentially more difficult to achieve as one moves away from the modern issues toward the perforated classics. In particular, the Bank Note Issue high values rarely possess the wide "boxed" margins and precise centering that define the Superb 98 grade.
Ex "Scarsdale". 2002 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and one other share this grade.
90c Rose Carmine (166). Jumbo margins, bright color, unusual large dashes cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (179). Original gum, lightly hinged, excellent centering with wide and balanced margins all around, rich color on deeply blued paper, Extremely Fine, ex Hoffman, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
5c Blue (179). Wide margins and precise centering, bright color, ultramarine grid cancel creates a prison bars effect on Taylor's face, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)