Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue including Proofs (Scott 230-245)
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Large Die Proofs on India (230P1-245P1). On approximately 225 x 150mm cards with full die sinkage, beautiful colors, each with die no. and imprint in die sinkage area, few trivial corner bends
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION ISSUE.
This is one of the freshest sets we have encountered, with no hybrids. Some sets also have either interleaving or trace of binding from presentation albums. This set, with wide cards for each, is truly a condition rarity.
Ex Schwartz.
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (230P3-245P3). Blocks of four, each has large margins all around except 2c ample at left, 15c with sheet margin at left, deep rich colors as fresh as the day they were printed, few usual flaws as seen on this fragile paper
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE COMPLETE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA PAPER. THESE ARE FAR SCARCER THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS PRINTED ON CARD.
Ex Schwartz.
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set in blocks of four, the 5c, 6c, 30c and $5.00 with sheet margin at right, $4.00 with sheet margin imprint at right, large margins, bright colors
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS SET OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON CARD.
Even though the plate proofs on card are seen more frequently than those on India, multiples such as this set are rare.
Ex Schwartz.
1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Mint N.H., wide margins of Jumbo proportions and exceptional centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), inexplicably this did not receive the Jumbo appellation
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of eight, bright color, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
4c Ultramarine, Columbian (233). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, brilliant color and crisp impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only three grade higher.
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, extra wide margins and well-centered, deep rich color, unpunched perf at top not mentioned on any certificate
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE-MARGINED ORIGNAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 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 additional 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 1973 A.P.S. certificate. With 1974, 1991 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Beautiful deep rich color, light strike of duplex circular datestamp, faint diagonal crease at top left
FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY 15 USED EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR ARE LISTED IN OUR CENSUS. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND OF THE POPULAR COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
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 three panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from at least one additional pane. 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.
Our census of used Scott 233a, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/233a, contains 15 stamps. One additional stamp was previously certified as the error, but received a more recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. Only two stamps listed in our census are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 233a-CAN-09. Ex "Lake Shore" and Drs. Dauer. With 1979 Friedl and 1997 P.F. certificates.
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Mint N.H. with bottom letter "B" selvage, bright color, beautiful centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 6 and letter "B" block of eight, deep rich color and proof-like impression
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1991 P.F. certificate.
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H., rich color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Ex Dr. Killien. With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). By way of comparison, the highest grade P.S.E. has awarded for the Red Violet shade is 95.
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Mint N.H., brilliant color and remarkably detailed impression showing every nuance of the intricate design, bright paper, perfectly centered, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The 10c is extremely difficult to find in the top centering grades and with wide margins. For some reason, it can be found with wide margins at sides but almost never is seen this way at top and bottom. It is easily the most difficult non-dollar-value to find in such choice condition.
Ex Odeneal. With 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). Only three grade higher (at 98J)
15c Dark Green, Columbian (238). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright and crisp paper, excellent centering with balanced margins, fully formed perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1986, 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Mint N.H., intense color and detailed impression on immaculate fresh paper, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 1998, 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Mint N.H. block of four with bottom imprint selvage, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on bright paper, trivial natural paper wrinkle in selvage only mentioned for complete accuracy
VERY FINE. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. SCV as Mint N.H. singles.
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, excellent centering with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Tahoe", with 1995 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, fresh and Very Fine
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Mint N.H., sharp proof-like impression, bright color on crisp paper, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). SCV $3,600.
$3.00 Yellow Green, Columbian (243). Unused, accompanying certificate states original gum but we believe regummed, outstanding centering and rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate as original gum, SCV as no gum
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and wide margins, Very Fine, with 1970 and 1996 P.F. certificates
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, long and full perforations all around, neat strike of Dec. 30, 1893 circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only one used stamp grades higher (at 98).
$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Choice centering and margins, brilliant color, light strike of violet cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1988 and 2008 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade, well-centered with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. certificate.