Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1894-98 Watermarked Bureau Issues (Scott 264-284)
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing distinct complete letter "I" of watermark, deep rich color, outstanding centering, light wavy-line machine cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1895 6-CENT WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/Scott/271a, records only 30 used singles plus two multiples with the variety showing between stamps. About half have faults and the majority of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The identified examples are split approximately equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design. This sound example with balanced margins and a lightly applied cancel is a great rarity.
Census no. 271a-CAN-19. Ex Gorham. With 2002 P.F. and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other.
