Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Dark Yellow Green, Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine
2c Copper Red, Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., magnificent color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Our review of the Trans-Mississippi Issue in the P.S.E. Population Report revealed just how rare this stamp is in the top grades. There is only one other example from the entire Trans-Mississippi Issue (either Mint N.H. or hinged) that has been graded Gem 100 Jumbo—a Mint N.H. 1c, which we last offered in 2012. A further review shows that there are only nine stamps in the entire issue (again, Mint N.H. or hinged) that have been awarded a Gem 100 grade.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98J, SMQ $5,500 as 100).
4c Orange, Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vibrant color with some oxidation, exceptional centering with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER AND TWO OTHERS SHARE THIS LOFTY GRADE.
Ex Whitman. With 1990 and 1997 P.F. certificates and 2008 P.S.E. certificate prior to oxidation (Superb 98). Only one example has graded higher (at 98J) and only two others share this desirable grade. These are extremely low population numbers for such a popular issue.
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only nine grade higher.
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER AND ONLY FOUR OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE. THESE ARE EXTREMELY LOW POPULATION NUMBERS FOR SUCH A POPULAR STAMP, WHICH CONFIRMS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO OBTAIN IN THE HIGHER GRADES.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only two grade higher (at 100, the last we offered was in 2012 when it realized $35,000). Only four others share this desirable grade. These are extremely low population numbers for such a popular stamp and speaks to the difficulty of obtaining it in such choice condition.
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (289a). Original gum, lightly hinged, natural straight edge at left showing trace of guideline, few light natural gum bends — much less noticeable than usually found on all existing pairs
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE ONLY MAJOR ERROR OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
According to the Neil-Rosenthal book (pp. 115-118), one pane of 50 was discovered by Robert Watts, a stamp clerk at one of the sales windows at the Philadelphia General Post Office, who found it between the wrapping paper of a bundle of stamps. He sold it for double face value ($8.00) to Herman Lewis, a locksmith in Philadelphia. Lewis soon sold it to William S. F. Pierce, who broke it into three pieces: a vertical strip of ten with sheet margin and full arrow at right, a vertical block of 20 containing both plate blocks, and a vertical block of 20 with natural straight edge at left. Each of these multiples has since been broken.
Ex Waterhouse and Hansen. With 1992 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., lovely crisp impression showing every detail of the engraving, precise centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. THIS IS GRADED SUPERB 98 — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others. We have offered only one of the examples at this grade since 2012, so the opportunity to acquire this at such a high grade is extremely limited.
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Original gum, barely hinged (appears Mint N.H. without close examination), with top plate no. 620 selvage, deep shade and detailed impression, wide margins and mathematically perfect centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
A review of the P.S.E. Population Report shows how rare the Trans-Mississippi Issue is in the grade of Gem 100, especially among the higher denominations. Above the 8c value, only this and one other 10c and a single hinged $1.00 have achieved the perfect Gem 100 grade (there is also one used $1.00 graded 100J).
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100). This is the highest grade awarded and is shared by one other in hinged condition. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is Superb 98 (offered in the previous lot).
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., with unusually wide top plate no. 603 selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WITH PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE, BEAUTIFUL COLOR, WIDE AND BALANCED MARGINS AND LONG AND FULL PERFORATIONS.
The 50c Trans-Mississippi is extremely scarce in well-centered condition. It also seems that fewer 50c stamps exist in Mint N.H. condition, relative to the dollar values of the set. The combination of Extremely Fine centering and Mint N.H. condition is exponentially rarer.
With 1988 P.F. certificate as a pair. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., detailed impression on crisp paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A MINT NEVER-HINGED COPY. THIS IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP 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 of cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland.
Ex Merlin. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share this grade, an extremely low population for such a popular stamp. This is the first we have offered in this grade since 2016.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, wide margins, long and full perforations all around
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides.
Ex Hoffman. With 2000 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Rich color, used with 4c, 8c, 50c and $1.00 Trans-Mississippi (287, 289, 291, 292), tied by registry ovals and "New York N.Y. Reg'y. Div. 12-9 1898" double-oval datestamp on cover front only to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, addressed to Laemmert & Co. (publishers), 8c small faults from placement at edge of cover, slightly age toned
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A COLORFUL AND RARE COMBINATION FRANKING, INCLUDING THE THREE HIGHEST DENOMINATIONS OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
This is the only example of the $1.00 or $2.00 used to South America. Virtually all foreign destinations known are to Europe.
Ex "World's Fair" and Dr. Heimburger. With 1987 P.F. certificate.