Sale 1367 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11 December, 2025
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 259-284)
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins and outstanding centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE TWO FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. Often the perfs are choppy and rough, and very rarely are the stamps found with huge margins, perfect centering and well-defined perfs. This stamp is a wonderful exception. In addition, the Dark Blue color and distinguished portrait of Henry Clay make this design among the most striking of the series.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). This is the only Scott 259 at this grade and only one grades higher — a Superb 98 graded back in 2004.
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (261). Original gum, perfectly centered with enormous margins on all sides, intense shade and sharp proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MASSIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Merlin and Morton. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded to a hinged Scott 261 and it is shared by only one other. For Mint N.H., one grades 98J (realized $57,500 hammer in our 2025 sale of the "Vaquero" collection) and one grades 100 (we have never offered it).
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense impression on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Collectors of the 1894 Bureau Issue know it is extremely difficult to find the dollar values in centered, original-gum condition. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving & Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note Co. contract expired.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2003 P.F., 2008 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only two hinged stamps grade higher (at 98) and two share this grade. For Mint N.H., the highest is one stamp at 95J (which realized $29,000 hammer in our 2025 sale of the "Vaquero" collection).
(Image Magnifier)$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins and outstanding centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
The 1894 unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. stamp issue printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. This issue is notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as the Bureau feverishly worked to satisfy the public demand for stamps. The $2.00 is one of the rarest of the set in original-gum condition with choice centering. This Jumbo-margined example is truly exceptional.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 1999 P.F. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one other hinged example has equaled this grade, which is the highest awarded. The highest Mint N.H. is only a 90.
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, beautiful deep rich color and incredibly detailed impression showing all of the fine engraving lines in the background, bright and fresh paper, exceptional centering within evenly proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. The $5.00 is one of the two or three most difficult denominations to find in superb condition.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Dr. Puliafito. With 1984, 2000 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only seven grade higher and four share this grade. SCV $4,000.
(Image Magnifier)2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H. with wide top part imprint selvage, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, bright and fresh
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE III WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, SCOTT 267, WITH THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100). One of only three at this perfect grade with none higher.
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 197 selvage, remarkably detailed impression and superior centering, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher (highest is 98)
(Image Magnifier)5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., with wide top part imprint selvage, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, gorgeous color, Extremely Fine Gem, superb in every respect, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only six grade higher (at 98) and eight share this grade
(Image Magnifier)10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, exceptional centering with balanced margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 10c Green 1895 Issue with double-line watermark has an earliest known use of July 25, 1895. It superseded the 1894 unwatermarked Scott 258 and was subsequently replaced by the 10c Type I and Type II issues in Brown and Orange Brown (Scott 282C and 283) in 1898, during the color changes necessitated by the Universal Postal Union. Examples of any of the 10c Bureau issues in Mint N.H. condition graded higher than 95 are exceedingly rare. This is one of only two Scott 273s graded 98, while the other 10c issues have combined populations of only five at 98 (and one Scott 283a at 100).
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 1987 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. There is not even a hinged example that exceeds this 98 grade
15c Dark Blue (274). Original gum, wide area of hinging and some ink offset on back, intense shade on bright paper, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95), only eight grade higher
(Image Magnifier)50c Red Orange (275a). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color in the fiery Red Orange shade, excellent centering and margins, Extremely Fine, this is a very elusive stamp with original gum at a high grade, Power Search contains few examples with original gum that we have described as Extremely Fine and none that are actually graded, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2010 P.S.E. (for block of four) and 2011 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP WITH TREMENDOUS VISUAL APPEAL.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2003 and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90). SCV $1,900.
(Image Magnifier)1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H., deep rich color on brilliant white paper, mathematically perfect centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1897 ONE-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, WITH THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100 — THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 1999 P.F. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (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).
(Image Magnifier)2c Rose Carmine, Ty. IV (279Bc). Original gum, radiant color, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ASTOUNDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 279Bc, WITH THE ULTIMATE P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100; SMQ for 100 is $4,000). This is the highest grade possible and the only example to achieve it in any category (one is graded 100 in Mint N.H. condition). Among the numerous 1894-99 2c Bureau issues, including sub-shades, only six total original gum stamps have achieved this highest of grades.
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., precisely centered, vivid color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a very difficult stamp to find in the highest grades, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2019 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., lovely color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Lanza, with 2006 and 2010 P.F. certificates (both XF 90), with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (ungraded)
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., beautiful color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Lanza, with 2006, 2013 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF 90)