Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1894-97 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 22 selvage, brilliant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only five grade higher (three at 98, one at 98J and one at 100)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., vivid color, well-centered with nicely balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2016 P.F. certificate (selvage at left has since been detached)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., with left part imprint selvage, radiant color, three wide margins, Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate for strip of three
2c Scarlet, Ty. II (251a). Mint N.H., vivid Scarlet color, choice centering and margins particularly for this challenging stamp
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE II 1894 ISSUE IN THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE SCARLET SHADE.
With 1992 P.S.E. and 2023 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded zero Mint N.H. examples of this issue and their highest grade for hinged is 90.
2c Scarlet, Ty. II (251a). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1989 (as Carmine) and 2023 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., detailed impression on bright paper, Very Fine
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., vivid color and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E., 2004 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., deep rich color, proof-like impression and perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
According to Brookman, certain abrasive components of the ink used for printing the 5c stamp caused rapid plate wear. The stamp offered here, with such a remarkably detailed impression, in pristine condition and with superb centering, is one of the couple finest we have ever offered.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. Scott 255 by the P.F. Superb 98 is also the highest grade in the P.S.E. Population report (two examples).
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade, wide and well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, Very Fine, with copy of 2010 P.F. certificate for block
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color, Jumbo margins, few natural gum creases not noted on certificate, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., vibrant color, fresh and Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Black (261). Disturbed original gum, well-centered, narrow thin spot at center, appears Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., intense shade on post office fresh paper, choice centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.
Condition conscious collectors are well aware that it is extremely difficult to find First Bureau stamps in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note Co. contract expired.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85). SCV $6,500.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression on bright paper
VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2010 P.F. certificate.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, brilliant color, attractive centering and margins, Very Fine, with 1976 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, bright color and well-centered, single unpunched perf at left, backstamp, Very Fine
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Bright color and paper, choice centering, unobtrusive cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90).
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, rich color, attractive centering and margins, small thin spot, Very Fine appearance, with 2023 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). With bottom plate no. 85 selvage, original gum, h.r., rich color, wide margins three sides, Fine and rare, the dollar values of the unwatermarked Bureau issues had the top selvage cut to accommodate the available perforating machine, therefore no top plate numbers exist for the dollar values in any form
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, radiant color on bright paper, excellent centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp in every respect, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, choice margins and well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate for strip of three
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear bold "R" of watermark, visible even without fluid, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color, very light cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE WITH "USIR" WATERMARK. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws. Collectors prefer examples showing the "R" watermark, as this letter is unequivocally from "USIR", while a partial "P" (from "USPS") can sometimes fool collectors by appearing as an "I".
Ex "Alan". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only two stamps grade higher (at 95J) and only one other shares this grade. The other example graded 95, while also showing the more desirable "R" watermark, has a much heavier cancel than the example offered here. At least one of the two examples graded 95J shows the "I" of the watermark. The combination of the "R" watermark and light cancel arguably makes this the most desirable P.S.E. graded Scott 272a.
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 76 selvage, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85). Only four grade higher (three at 90, one at 95, we have never offered the 95 and the last 90 we sold was in 2019). Three others share this grade and we have never sold any of the others. We are surprised this did not grade higher given its centering.
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, huge margins, Extremely Fine, scarce with such Jumbo margins
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, intense shade, nicely centered, Very Fine
$2.00 Bright Blue, $5.00 Dark Green (277-278). $2.00 disturbed original gum which is glazed into the perfs (or possibly regummed), Fine, $5.00 disturbed original gum, tiny internal tear, appears Fine, Scott value as original gum
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 865 selvage, precise centering, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb plate number example, ex Morton, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98)
4c Rose Brown (280). Mint N.H. top left corner imprint and plate no. 1334 block of twenty, Lovely warm color, choice centering, one below imprint and two at far right with natural gum wrinkle, Very Fine, Scott value as plate block of six and fourteen singles
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, radiant color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H. with wide bottom selvage, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)