Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1897-1903 Change of Colors (Scott 279-284)
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1897 ONE-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp and only two others share it (one has top plate number selvage).
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1c Deep Green (279). Bright shade and detailed impression, unusually choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only five grade higher (four at 98J, one at 100)
(Image Magnifier)2c Red, Ty. IV (279B). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, brilliant color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others, this is the first in this grade we have offered since our 2006 "Scarsdale" sale
(Image Magnifier)2c Rose Carmine, Ty. IV (279Bc). Mint N.H., rich color in the true Rose Carmine shade, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
(Image Magnifier)2c Pink, Ty. IV (279Bg). Mint N.H., lovely color in the distinctive Pink shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), only one grades higher (at 95) and one other shares this grade
(Image Magnifier)4c Lilac Brown (280a). Mint N.H., warm shade, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)4c Orange Brown (280b). Mint N.H., pretty color in the distinctive Orange Brown shade, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (latter XF-Superb 95), only one grades higher (at 98, realized $6,250 in 2019)
(Image Magnifier)5c Dark Blue (281). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, clear strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve it
(Image Magnifier)6c Lake (282). Warm color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
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6c Purple Lake (282a). Original gum, lightly hinged, with stitch watermark, gorgeous purplish color, essentially perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is 85
(Image Magnifier)10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this issue
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 10-CENT BROWN TYPE I ISSUE.
The 10c was changed from Green (Scott No. 273) to Brown because the 1c denomination (Scott No. 279) was changed to Green to meet the UPU color scheme.
With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Scott value $525.
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide margins, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1898 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER AND NONE SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 1984 and 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 98, one recently brought $11,500 in our 2025 "Vaquero" sale) and no others share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange Brown, Ty. II, Vertical Watermark (283a). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on crisp paper, phenomenal centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 283a IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 P.S.E. — THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE AND ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER.
According to Brookman, the 10-cent Type II has the same type characteristics as the 1890 Issue, and so was likely made prior to Type I, which shows an altered die in the area of the circle surrounding the left denomination. In the 2007 Scott Specialized, the listings were clarified to include both the horizontal and vertical watermarks. In an article in the 2007 Scott Specialized, author Kenneth E. Diehl notes that the 10c stamps with vertical watermarks were printed from plates of 200 subjects, and were put on the presses in early 1902. The horizontal watermarked stamps (Scott 283) were printed from sheets of 400 stamps and were printed first.
It is curious to note that the vertical watermarked issue, Scott 283a, was printed after the 10c Trans-Mississippi and 10c Pan-American Issues, and only a short time before the 10c 1902 Issue, Scott 307, was printed (EDU March 12, 1903). We must therefore conclude that this issue was printed in limited quantities. The existence of this example in Superb 98 grade is truly remarkable.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 100, last offered by us in our 2012 Merlin sale) and no others share this grade. Below this there are two graded 95.
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Radiant color, perfectly centered, cancel leaves design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Brilliant color nicely complemented by purple boxed "R" cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), Scott value $6
(Image Magnifier)15c Olive Green (284). Deep rich color, perfectly centered with wide margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (both Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other, this is the first in this grade we have offered
(Image Magnifier)15c Olive Green (284). Deep rich color, clear strike of New York registry oval cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher (at 98)
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