Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1c-50c 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-291)
1c-$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (285-292). Complete set through the $1.00, each tied to small piece of notebook paper by "Military Sta. No. 3 San Fran., Iloilo, Phil. Islands Apr. 19, 2 PM" duplex cancel, three of the lower denomination stamps with some slight edge toning which does not affect the 50c or $1.00 (latter with natural straight edge), 8c pulled perf at top left
FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SET OF THE 1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE THROUGH THE $1.00 WITH PHILIPPINES U.S. MILITARY STATION CANCELS.
We have not encountered another set similar to this one. Ex Diamond and Bakwin. Each with 2020 P.S.E. certificate.
1c-5c Trans-Mississippi (285-288). Original gum blocks, 1c block of six, 2c and 5c blocks of four, 4c imprint and plate no. 599 block of four, 1c and 2c Mint N.H., 4c h.r. top two stamps and bottom two Mint N.H., 5c h.r., bright colors, Fine
8c-10c Trans-Mississippi (289-290). Top imprint and plate no. blocks of four, 8c plate no. 609, original gum, appears Mint N.H. but we note some perf separation strengthening which knocks it out of the Mint N.H. category, rich color, top stamps natural gum crease, Fine, 10c plate no. 617, original gum which has been redistributed and perf strengthening, attractive centering, small sealed tear in selvage, appears Very Fine, Scott value as original gum
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, extra wide and well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and beautifully balanced margins, most recent certificate notes reperfed at right but we are not entirely convinced, appears Extremely Fine, ex "Sacramento", with 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates as sound (XF-Superb 95), with 2023 P.S.E. certificate stating reperfed at right
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat machine cancel, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only four grade higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., beautiful rich color, choice centering for this difficult Trans-Mississippi denomination, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. (XF 90) and 2011 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Bowman, with 2003 P.F., 2007 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it.
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., rich color, attractive centering and margins, natural gum bends, Very Fine, with clear 1996, 2012, 2017 and 2022 P.F. certificates
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Original gum, barest trace of hinging (older cert states Mint N.H.), choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 (as N.H.) and 2023 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Top left corner imprint and plate no. 617 block of ten, original gum, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, Scott value as plate block of six and four singles
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Outstanding centering and margins, rich color, New York oval cancel struck to right clear of the vignette, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only four used examples grade higher
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., detailed impression, fresh, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and wide margins, well-centered, natural inclusion speck in top margin, Very Fine and choice
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Wide top imprint and plate no. 603 pair, original gum, small h.r. and pencil notation in ungummed selvage only (stamps N.H.), Fine-Very Fine and handsome, Scott value as Mint N.H. singles without premium for the position
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Block of four with bottom selvage, original gum, narrow h.r. and pencil notation on one stamp, rich color, Fine
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Bright shade and detailed impression, unobtrusive cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, ex Morton, with 2014 and 2022 P.F. certificates (latter XF-Superb 95)