Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Dark Yellow Green, Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., detailed impression, phenomenal centering with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER AND NONE SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
The 1c Trans-Mississippi is surprisingly difficult to obtain in the highest grades. For Mint N.H., there is just the example offered here at 98J plus one one graded Gem 100 Jumbo (last offered by us in our 2012 Merlin auction). This is a rare opportunity to acquire a common stamp in uncommon condition.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo).
(Image Magnifier)
1c Dark Yellow Green, Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with bottom imprint selvage, deep rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
(Image Magnifier)2c Copper Red, Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1978 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). Only six grade higher (four at 98J, one each at 100 and 100J).
(Image Magnifier)2c Copper Red, Trans-Mississippi (286). Radiant color, perfectly centered with wide margins, quartered cork cancel and part of circular datestamp at left, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), more than 159 million of the 2c stamp were printed, yet to find a truly superbly centered and sound used example is astonishingly difficult, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only this and three other used stamps at 98 with only one higher, only five others have even graded as high as 95, this compares to approximately 59 Mint N.H. stamps graded 95 or better, the far more common Mint N.H. 98 has an SMQ value of $2,500
(Image Magnifier)4c Orange, Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, gorgeous color, bright and fresh
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BRILLIANT AND FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only nine grade higher.
(Image Magnifier)5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H. with imprint and wide selvage at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Ex Whitman. With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only nine grade higher.
(Image Magnifier)8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only seven grade higher (five at 98, two at 100) and only one other shares this desirable grade. We sold two of the 98s in the past year, for $10,500 and $14,500.
(Image Magnifier)10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide margins, rich color and proof-like impression on bright white paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION. THIS IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Merlin. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded in any condition category (Mint N.H., hinged or used) and only six others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2012.
(Image Magnifier)50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H. with wide selvage and plate no. 603 at bottom, rich color, proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Ex Whitman. With 1998 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ, the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"). With ungraded 2012 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value $1,900.
(Image Magnifier)$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED VF-XF 85 BY BOTH P.F. AND P.S.E.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all United States postage stamps. Although Mint Never-Hinged examples have been supplied from blocks and sheets broken over the years, the centering of this example is unusually choice.
With 2007 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (both graded VF-XF 85).
(Image Magnifier)$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Intense shade and impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, clear strike of 1899 duplex datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH P.F. AND P.S.E.
With 2006 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher.
(Image Magnifier)
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually choice centering and margins for this difficult high value, detailed impression and rich color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue is widely regarded as being the most difficult denomination of the series to obtain with any decent-size margins. The margins are almost always narrow on the $2.00, making it difficult for collectors of Gem-quality stamps to fill this space in their albums.
With 1999 and 2005 P.F. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (all at 98).
(Image Magnifier)