Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., outstanding centering and margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98)
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1c Blue (264). Rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only two grade higher
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Jumbo almost mathematically balanced margins, bright color and paper, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), this is one of only two used examples at this lofty grade with one higher, the other ex Kirke
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide margins, brilliant color, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex "Hanover". With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only six others share it.
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, brilliant color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate for pair (XF 90), graded certificates for multiples do not mean each stamp would achieve this grade (some grade higher), this is a beautiful stamp
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. II-III (266-267). Mint N.H. horizontal pair, left stamp Type II, brilliant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 2005 P.F. certificate for block of four, this is the bottom pair, the top pair was offered in our John Field auction in 2022
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, deep shade and detailed impression on bright paper, essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only three grade higher
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, magnificent centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mathematically balanced wide margins, vibrant color on crisp paper, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, an astounding stamp which has been awarded the perfect grade of Gem 100, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (latter Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
(Image Magnifier)3c Purple (268). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with copy of 2010 P.S.E. certificate for block (XF-Superb 95), grading for blocks may not be the same as for a single but this looks to us like one of the finest singles in the block
(Image Magnifier)4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with wide top part imprint selvage, remarkably detailed impression, superior centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher (highest is 98)
(Image Magnifier)4c Dark Brown (269). Rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only one grades higher
(Image Magnifier)5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., lovely warm shade, perfectly centered
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only five others.
(Image Magnifier)5c Chocolate (270). Beautiful warm color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), only one grades higher and no others share this desirable grade
(Image Magnifier)6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H., perfectly centered, pretty shade on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1894 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 95J).
(Image Magnifier)6c Dull Brown (271). Bright shade and crisp impression, Jumbo margins with unusually choice centering, clear strike of registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share this grade, we offered the others in our 2012 Kirke and 2021 Myerson sales
(Image Magnifier)6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Rich color, "I" of watermark visible, bold strike of numeral "86" duplex cancel, light wrinkles not noted on certificates
FINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.
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. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/Scott/271a, records only 30 used singles plus two multiples with the variety showing between stamps. About half have faults and the majority of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The identified examples are split approximately equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.
Census no. 271a-CAN-17. Ex Kirke. With 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing clear "I" of watermark sideways, intense shade and impression, wide margins, faintly cancelled in purple (almost appears unused), Fine, with 1968 and 2020 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H., deep rich color, beautiful centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only eight grade higher.
(Image Magnifier)8c Violet Brown (272). Bright shade, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Baltimore oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), only three grade higher and none share this desirable grade
(Image Magnifier)8c Violet Brown (272). Intense shade and impression, superior centering with Jumbo margins, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
(Image Magnifier)10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., bright shade and paper which gives this a stunning appearance, perfectly centered
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION AND A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
With 1997 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (one 95J and two at 98).
(Image Magnifier)10c Dark Green (273). Bright color and fresh paper, perfectly centered, clearly struck target cancel adds to the eye appeal, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded
(Image Magnifier)15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1999 and 2006 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (last two XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (two at 95J, one at 100). Only four others share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)15c Dark Blue (274). Deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered, registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only two grade higher (at 98J)
(Image Magnifier)50c Orange (275). Mint N.H., radiant color, choice centering for this difficult issue, long and full perforations, Very Fine, this issue is surprisingly scarce in Mint N.H. condition with any kind of decent centering, only ten are graded by P.S.E. and we have offered only 16 unduplicated singles since 1994, this issue is undervalued in Mint N.H. condition
(Image Magnifier)50c Orange (275). Vibrant color, clear strike of cancel, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade
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$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, beautiful centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2015 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (both OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98) and three others share this desirable grade. For Mint N.H., only one is graded 95 and it recently realized $37,500 in our "Vaquero" sale. This is the perfect stamp for someone who values centering above gum state.
(Image Magnifier)$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (Superb 98), Scott value $200
(Image Magnifier)$1.00 Black, Ty. I-II (276-276A). Horizontal pair with top "Bureau, Engraving & Printing" imprint selvage, left stamp Type I, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM IMPRINT PAIR OF THE 1895 $1.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, COMBINING TYPES I AND II.
The $1.00 1894-1895 Bureau Issue was printed in plates of 200 subjects. The plate consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs, and only two which yield imprint and plate number multiples.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1986 and 1996 P.F. certificates. With 2008 and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, unpriced in SMQ).
(Image Magnifier)$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, mild hinge mark, deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85)
(Image Magnifier)$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Mint N.H., intense color in the true Dark Blue shade, sharp proof-like impression
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE WATERMARKED 1895 $2.00 BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE. A STUNNING STAMP.
As an indication of rarity, we have offered only three other unduplicated Mint N.H. examples of Scott 277a since 2004.
With 1987, 2002 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)$5.00 Dark Green (278). Choice margins and precise centering, deep rich color on fresh paper, unusually light registry oval cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1895 BUREAU DOLLAR VALUES ARE EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS ULTRA-HIGH GRADE, ESPECIALLY WITH A LIGHT CANCELLATION. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The $5.00 stamps were generally used on heavy parcels or high-value registered covers that were usually discarded, and the high-denomination stamps were typically heavily cancelled. The stamp offered here, cancelled by a registry oval, with perfect centering and in pristine condition, is truly remarkable.
Ex Kirke. With 2011 P.F. (ungraded) and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three other stamps.
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