Sale 1332 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 October, 2024
Category — Imprint and Plate Number Multiples: 1893 Columbian Issue
1c-2c Columbian (230-231). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate nos. 163 and 71 blocks of six, 1c well-centered, area of hinging in ungummed edge of selvage, Very Fine, 2c pencil notation in ungummed selvage on back, Fine
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of eight, rich color, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Scarce in such choice condition.
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H. bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 56 and letter "L" block of ten, rich color, well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, Scott value as plate block of eight plus singles
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of ten, selvage at right, minor gum bend at right, Fine-Very Fine
3c Green, Columbian (232). Bottom imprint, plate no. 76 and letter "R" block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, few small toned spots on back, few expertly reattached perf separations are very minor, still Very Fine and attractive
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Top imprint, plate no. 7, and letter "B" block of eight, stamps Mint N.H., lightly hinged in the ungummed portion of the selvage, well-centered (especially the left stamps), rich color, Very Fine and handsome plate block
6c Purple, Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 104, and letter "Z" block of eight, well-centered, brilliant color, a few light natural gum creases, one of which extends to the selvage at left and causes a small split in the paper, otherwise Very Fine
8c Magenta, Columbian (236). Mint N.H. bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 132 and letters "I I" block of ten, bright color and well-centered, few minor perf separations toward the center, overall Very Fine, a quality plate block, Scott value as plate block of eight and singles
8c Magenta, Columbian (236). Bottom imprint, plate no. 131, and letter "I I" block of eight, unhinged, but position 3 has a slight gum glaze and there are a few natural gum skips, so we are offering it as hinged, deep color, Fine-Very Fine
15c Dark Green, Columbian (238). Mint N.H. bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 58 and letter "M" block of ten, deep rich color and proof-like impression
FRESH AND FINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN.
Ex Hall. Scott value as plate block of eight and two singles.
30c Orange Brown, Columbian (239). Bottom imprint, plate no. 59 and letter "N" block of eight, original gum, gorgeous color, beautiful centering, some reinforced perf separations
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE CENTERED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
A Power Search review (which includes all of our Rarities sales) indicates that we have only sold approximately 14 plate blocks (of six or eight) plus a block of 18 containing two imprint and plate number multiples which has probably been broken. Of these, several had thin spots or small tears. Most are not as well centered as the example offered here.
Ex Byers. Scott value $12,500.
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Bottom imprint, plate no. 77 and letter "S" block of ten with corner selvage at right, original gum, not hinged but with some slight disturbance, exceptionally deep shade
FINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 50c Columbian is far rarer as a plate number block of eight than six. The 50c was printed from a single plate of 100 subjects, and then divided into panes of 50 (5 x 10) for shipment and sale at post offices. Therefore this plate block represents the two full bottom rows of the right pane.
Ex Curtis. Scott Retail as plate block of eight and two singles.
50c Slate Blue, Columbian (240). Bottom imprint, plate no. 77 and letter "S" block of eight, disturbed original gum, h.r., rich color, position 3 small thin spot, few perf separations
FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Pencil note on back indicated Economist Stamp Co. in 1923.