Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — Specialized $1.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 292)
($1.00) Black, Large Die Essay on India, Vignette Only (292-E1). On 91 x 78mm card with full die sinkage, earliest state of the die with all lines lightly engraved
VERY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE DIE ESSAY, SHOWING THE INITIAL STATE OF THE DIE FOR THE VIGNETTE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STAMP DESIGNS EVER PRODUCED. POSSIBLY UNIQUE.
There are five essays known showing the progression of the die for the vignette of the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi. Each shows progressively more of the engraving. Three of the five are offered in this sale. The example offered here is the earliest state of the die, with all lines very lightly engraved. No others showing such light lines are known.
Ex Wood.
($1.00) Black, Large Die Essay on India, Vignette Only (292-E2). On 90 x 78mm card with full die sinkage, showing stronger engraved lines than in the previous lot, also with light outline around design which was later removed, pencil "March 7, 1898" on back, small adhesive mark at bottom left on card only
VERY FINE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL PROGRESSIVE ESSAY FOR THE VIGNETTE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. THIS STATE OF THE DIE IS LIKELY UNIQUE.
There are five essays known showing the progression of the die for the vignette of the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi. Each shows progressively more of the engraving. Three of the five are offered in this sale. The example offered here is the second state of the die. It shows darkened lines in the cattle and in the background. It also shows the faint outline of a shield around the vignette, which was later removed.
($1.00) Black, Large Die Essay on India, Vignette Only (292-E5). On 177 x 120mm card with full die sinkage, pencil "March 30/98" at bottom left, shield outline removed, small adhesive mark at bottom left on card only
VERY FINE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL PROGRESSIVE ESSAY FOR THE VIGNETTE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. THIS STATE OF THE DIE IS LIKELY UNIQUE.
There are five essays known showing the progression of the die for the vignette of the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi. Each shows progressively more of the engraving. Three of the five are offered in this sale. The example offered here is the latest state. It shows the vignette with deeper engraving, especially in the snow at the left, and the lead cattle is also darkened.
$1.00 Dull Violet & Black, Large Die Essay on India (292-E6). On 203 x 152mm card with full die sinkage, bright colors, Very Fine and choice
$1.00 Dark Bone Brown & Black, Large Die Essay on India (292-E6). On 72 x 58mm card, rich color which is significantly different than the so-called "normal" $1.00 from the bi-color set
VERY FINE. A RARE BI-COLOR ESSAY FOR THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WITH THE FRAME PRINTED IN DARK BONE BROWN COLOR.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Dusky Red Orange, Large Die Essay on India (292-E7). On 96 x 80mm card with full die sinkage, rich color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. BELIEVED TO BE THE FINER OF THE TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DIE ESSAY IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Only two are reported to exist. Ex Bakwin. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Proof on India (292P1). On 97 x 80mm card with full die sinkage, detailed impression, Very Fine, an attractive large die proof of what has been called the most beautiful stamp in United States philately
"Western Cattle in Storm" Engraving. 237 x 185mm, on thick wove paper, showing die sinkage, depicting a herd of cattle seeking shelter from a storm, this depiction was based on the painting "The Vanguard" by Scotsman John A. MacWhirter and was used as the design for the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi — postal officials had based the stamp engraving on an illustration from an advertising brochure and had failed to realize the cattle was not Western U.S., but from the Scottish Highlands — Very Fine, an outstanding frontispiece to a Trans-Mississippi exhibit
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., outstanding centering, intense shade on post office fresh paper, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engraving
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS STAMP IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE EVER ISSUED.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. philately. According to Brookman, the picture is supposed to portray cattle in the American West and is labelled "Western Cattle In Storm" at bottom. However, the subject of the original painting by J. A. MacWhirter, who specialized in romantic landscapes and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at the age of 14, was cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.
This issue's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those rare examples combining everything that could be desired.
Ex "Beverly Hills" and Morton. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only four Mint N.H. stamps grade higher (at 98 — the last we sold, in 2016, realized $62,500 hammer). SCV $3,750
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, vertical scoring line on gum, Very Fine Mint N.H. example of this issue
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impression, faint corner crease at top left, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., detailed impression, Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (F 70), SCV $3,750
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., proof-like impression, faint corner perf crease at bottom right not noted on certificate, Very Fine appearance, with 1986 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., detailed impression, tiny tear between perfs at right, still Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, outstanding margins and centering, deep shade and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1971 and 2014 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, outstanding centering, intense shade, light vertical gum wrinkle, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85), based on centering alone this would grade higher, P.S.E. no doubt took off points for the natural gum wrinkle, SCV $1,500
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Slightly disturbed original gum from hinge removal, deep shade and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, mild h.r., choice centering and margins, tiny diagonal crease at bottom right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2023 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged at top left corner, reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, detailed impression, well-balanced margins, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Slightly sweated original gum, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, deep shade, light natural gum bend, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, some toning at top, small tear at top left, otherwise Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Disturbed original gum, paper h.r., small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Slightly disturbed original gum, detailed impression, reperfed, small thin spot at left, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1987 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Slightly disturbed original gum from hinge removal, deep shade, Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, horizontal crease at bottom, Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, intense shade and impression, tiny thin spot, still Fine, with 2012 P.S.A.G. and 2021 P.F. certificates, the former as sound
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Large part disturbed original gum, deep shade, few short perfs at top, otherwise Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, slightly toned, otherwise Fine, with clear 1980 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Unused (regummed), well-centered, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four from bottom of left pane with “BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING” imprint and plate number 606, original gum, left pair Mint N.H., other two stamps previously hinged, deep shade, fresh paper
FINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WITH TWO STAMPS IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
Ex Gross. With 2001 P.S.E. certificate. SCV $31,000.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Top imprint and plate no. 606 pair, original gum, lightly hinged, few expertly reattached perf separations, small toned spot in left selvage, otherwise Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Wide and balanced margins, detailed impression, bold registry oval cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Morton, signed Brettl, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SCV $700
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Choice centering, intense shade, cork cancels, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Intense shade, well-centered, neat oval registry cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Crisp impression, wide margins, unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Bold strike of duplex cancel, well-balanced margins but reperfed at right, appears Extremely Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Faintly cancelled, intense shade, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Light strike of circular datestamp cancel, wide margins, natural straight edge at left, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Bold strike of oval grid cancel, thin spot and crease, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Neat strike of registry oval cancel, few creases, Fine appearance, purple backstamp
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Tied by "Detroit Mich. Transit Jun. 22 1PM 98" circular datestamp on cover to Windsor, Canada, neat "Windsor Ont. PM JU 22 98" receiving datestamp on back, stamp with light horizontal crease
VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE ON COVER TO CANADA AND DATED JUST FIVE DAYS AFTER THE STAMP WAS ISSUED. A GREAT RARITY.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate. Ex Dr. Jerome Motto ("Vanguard" collection, Rumsey Sale 11, 4/26-29/2001, lot 3629, where acquired by William H. Gross) and Gross. Illustrated in Neil, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898 (p. 152).
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Used with two 1c Trans-Mississippi (285), straight edge at right, tied by registry ovals, purple "Registered, Aug. 18, 1898, Branch P.O. Station S, New York P.O." five-line boxed datestamp on cover to Muhlhausen, Germany, part-printed "Per Steamer Campania" at upper left, receiving backstamp
VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE USED ON COVER.
Perhaps 20 covers are known with the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue. Ex Rosenthal and "World's Fair". Illustrated in the Neil-Rosenthal book (p. 148). With 1986 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Tied by purple "Boston (Sta. No. 20) Mass. Jan. 6, 1928" double-circle datestamp on registered Special Delivery cover to Cincinnati O., straightline "Fee claimed by office of first address" two-line handstamp, various backstamps, address and return address crossed out, stamp with tear and repair at top right corner, blue manuscript added to stamp, otherwise Fine, a scarce use of the $1.00 on cover, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate