Sale 1374 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 April, 2026
Category — 1890-93 Issue, Columbian Issue
1c-30 1890 Issue, Imperforate (219P5/228P5; formerly 219a/228a). Horizontal pairs of 1c, both 2c shades, 4c-6c, 10c, 15c and 30c, large margins to ample, rich colors, Very Fine group
10c Green (226). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded and no others share it, the highest grade for Mint N.H. is one at 98J (realized $18,000 in 2009)
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., vibrant color on fresh paper, choice centering with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The 15c 1890 stamp is, in our opinion, one of the most striking designs of the Gilded Age regular issues. Its distinctive three-quarter portrait of Henry Clay is elegantly framed and printed in an extraordinarily deep shade of Indigo Blue. The beauty of the issue is enhanced in examples such as this stamp, which provides a balanced frame of white margins around the design.
With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only three Mint N.H. stamps grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (two at 95J, one at 98, we have never offered any of them).
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H.block of four with right selvage, rich color, few unpunched perfs, bottom left stamp one short perf, otherwise Fine, Scott value as singles
30c Black (228). Original gum, h.r. at bottom, detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85)
90c Orange (229). Mint N.H., bright color, fresh and Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate
90c Orange (229). Original gum, barely hinged, intense shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
1c-30c Columbian (230-239). Bottom selvage pairs with "American Bank Note Company" imprints, unused (no gum), bright colors, Fine-Very Fine and attractive
1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF GRADING, THIS IS THE FIRST MINT NEVER-HINGED ONE-CENT COLUMBIAN TO ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO. A STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
More than 449 million 1c Columbian stamps were printed, second only to the 2c denomination. Despite the abundance of Mint N.H. examples available, stamps in the highest grades are rare—this is the first Gem 100 Jumbo grade awarded to any unused stamp—hinged or Mint N.H. (one used stamp grades 100J). Reviewing the P.S.E. Population Report numbers for the other Columbian denominations, there are single examples of Mint N.H. 100J's for the 2c, 4c, 8c and 15c, plus two examples for the 3c.
With 2026 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of Gem 100, SMQ $7,700 for Gem 100). This is the highest grade possible and it is shared by no others.
4c Ultramarine, Columbian (233). Mint N.H., choice centering and fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Block of four, original gum, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps lightly hinged, wide margins, Fine-Very Fine, SCV as singles
15c Dark Green, Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (Ogph, VF-XF 85)
15c Dark Green, Columbian (238). Bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 58 and letter "M" block of ten, Mint N.H. except hinge slivers in ungummed selvage at bottom and gummed selvage at right (not part of plate block), natural gum bends, Fine, a scarce plate block, Scott value as Mint N.H. $13,900
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Original gum, very lightly hinged,, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85), SCV $450
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Original gum, bright color, Very Fine, with 1980 and 2004 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Slightly disturbed original gum noted on certificate as "previously hinged", bright color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, sharp impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Original gum, small h.r., deep rich color, wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderful deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, a lovely stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Original gum, deep rich color, nicely centered with wide margins, Very Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Original gum, h.r., strong color, Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, intense shade and impression
FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2024 P.F. certificate.
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Original gum, exceptionally well-centered, strong shade with clear impression on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2026 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). SCV $2,500
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, Very Fine top value Columbian, with 2008 P.F. certificate