Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1881-87 American Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 205-218)
1c-6c 1881-83 Issue Balance (205/210). Nine used stamps each with a better cancel, including No. 205 with 5-Point Star, 206 with Wheel of Fortune (graded 90J), 206 with Maltese Cross and another with Shaded Star in Circle, 207 with circle of wedges (graded 95), 208 with Maltese Cross (graded 85), 210 with "1885" in Cross, 210 with Star (graded 90), one with tiny corner perf crease, others sound, Very Fine-Extremely Fine group with great eye appeal, each with 2006-2015 P.F. or P.S.E. certificate
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5c Yellow Brown (205). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins at top and bottom, bright color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT GARFIELD ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo). Only two grade higher (at 95J) and none share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)5c Yellow Brown (205). Huge Jumbo margins, light cancel leaves design clearly visible, detailed impression and rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only four grade higher
(Image Magnifier)1c Gray Blue (206). Bright color and paper, bold Glen Allen Star precancel, Extremely Fine, ex Morton, with 2018 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)3c Blue Green (207). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1881 3-CENT RE-ENGRAVED ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only five others.
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6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT DEEP BROWN RED, SCOTT 208a, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one grades higher (at 98) and none share this grade. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. examples is one at 95 and then two at 90.
(Image Magnifier)10c Brown (209). Mint N.H., beautiful warm shade with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT RE-ENGRAVED, SCOTT 209.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98, realized $11,000 hammer in our Sale 1199 in 2019) and three others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)10c Brown (209). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, bold strike of "7" of duplex datestamp, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
(Image Magnifier)2c Red Brown (210). Mathematically perfect centering, deep rich color and detailed impression, clear strike of Shaded Star fancy cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
(Image Magnifier)4c Blue Green (211). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate for block of eight
(Image Magnifier)2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing (211B). Mint N.H., intense color and impression, unusually choice centering, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1987, 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only one at 95 with two higher (at 95J). Scott value $1,150.
(Image Magnifier)2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (211Bc). Original gum, lightly hinged, with "AMERICAN BAN" of imprint at top, radiant color, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING WHICH IS IMPERFORATE BETWEEN AND SHOWS PART OF THE IMPRINT. ONLY FIVE MULTIPLES CAN SHOW ANY OF THE IMPRINT.
In 1885 the American Bank Note Co. experimented with a Hoe & Co. steam-powered, chain-driven printing press to increase the rate of production. New plates of 200 subjects were created for use on the steam press, including one with the distinctive "STEAMER - AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO." imprint at the top center of the plate. Five sheets of 200 stamps were printed from this "Steamer" plate and sent to the Post Office Department. Since the full sheets were intended to be divided into panes of 100, the vertical gutter between the two panes was left imperforate. These sheets were later sold into the philatelic market and divided into smaller units.
We can account for all five top imprint pieces from the "Steamer" sheets. One is a block of sixteen with disturbed gum and creases (Siegel Sale 1227 lot 2859), which came from the sheet once owned by Senator Ackerman. The strip of six offered in our Whitman sale is the second largest multiple. These two are the only recorded multiples with the complete imprint. The three remaining imperforate-between multiples from the tops of the sheets are a block of four and two pairs, each with the "American Ban" portion of the imprint but lacking the word "Steamer".
With 1998 and 2009 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)1c Ultramarine (212). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, phenomenal centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 212, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 100J) and two others share this desirable grade. This is the first in this grade we have ever offered.
(Image Magnifier)2c Green (213). Jumbo margins on all sides, outstanding centering, light strike of target cancel leaves design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a massive stamp, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), only one grades higher and only seven others share this desirable grade
(Image Magnifier)3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only four grade higher (one each at 95J, 98, 98J and 100J)
(Image Magnifier)4c Carmine (215). Mint N.H., wide margins, exceptional centering, lovely color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)
(Image Magnifier)5c Indigo (216). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 5-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 216, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER.
The 5c Garfield was first issued in 1882 in shades of Brown. When the colors were changed in 1888, the 5c was released in a beautiful Indigo shade. Although unused copies are by no means scarce, Mint N.H. examples are very scarce, and higher grades in Mint N.H. condition are exceedingly rare.
With 2004 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and only five others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., beautiful glowing color on fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with wide margins all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 217, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Zoellner and Curtis. With 1985 and 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only four others shares this grade and only four grade higher (highest is 98).
(Image Magnifier)30c Orange Brown (217). Perfectly centered with exceptionally wide balanced margins, light strike of New York registry oval cancel, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, an enormous stamp, with 2000 and 2013 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo), by way of comparison, P.S.E. has certified only one at 98J with none higher, Scott value $90
(Image Magnifier)30c Orange Brown (217). Horizontal pair, intense shade and impression, bold strikes of Baltimore duplex datestamps, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
(Image Magnifier)90c Purple (218). Mint N.H., lovely color and crisp impression, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1888 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER AND NONE SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
The 1888 American Bank Note Company Issue in new colors (Scott 215-218) was the last of the Large Bank Note series that spanned two decades from 1870 until 1890, when the Small Bank Note Issue was released. The 90c is extremely difficult to obtain in such superb condition.
With 1984 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo). Only one grades higher (at 95, realized $23,000 in one of our 2019 auctions) and none share this high grade. The next highest grade is 85. These are extremely low population numbers at the top of the chart and demonstrate how difficult this is to obtain in such superior condition.
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90c Purple (218). Block of four, deep rich color and detailed impression, choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, a rare sound and centered used block, ex Kirke, with 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates
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