Certified Assets - Stamps » 19th Century

50c Orange – Scott 260

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:30:44 +0000

FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE

Mint N.H., perfectly framed with enormous even margins, brilliant color and sharp impression

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.

The unwatermarked 1894 Issue was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's first effort producing postage stamps. As collectors know only too well, the 1894 unwatermarked stamps are typically poorly centered with irregular perforations. Issued quantities of the higher values on unwatermarked paper were small -- only 175,330 of the 50c, compared to 244,110 of the 30c 1869 -- and collectors have hinged most of the supply in philatelic hands. This 50c stamp has margins and centering rarely seen on any copy, used or unused, and its Mint Never-Hinged condition elevates it to the top of its class.

In his three-volume work on 19th Century United States stamps, Lester G. Brookman wrote the following about the 50c 1894 Issue: "There are few, if any, of the 19th century U.S. stamps that are so difficult to find in superb used condition as is this stamp. The price for commercial copies of this stamp can well be multiplied by 10 and the buyer of a superb copy of this stamp at such a price can rejoice in the fact he has a bargain!" Brookman's comments apply equally to 50c stamps with original gum and actually understate the value of a Mint Never-Hinged example.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

1c Blue, Ty. III – Scott 8

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:32 +0000

FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE

Position 44L4, original gum, lightly hinged, large margins at top and bottom, ample to clear at sides, deep rich Plate 4 color and sharp impression from a late state of the plate with unusually wide breaks in top and bottom outer lines

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE III EXTANT. THE BREAKS IN OUTER LINES AT TOP AND BOTTOM -- THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF TYPE III -- ARE ESPECIALLY WIDE IN THIS LATE IMPRESSION.

Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, a majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) have small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2, which has the widest breaks of any Type III position, due to the short transfer during plate entry.

The stamp offered here should be considered significant for several reasons. The breaks at top and bottom are so wide that it actually approaches those of Position 99R2. This E Relief position (44L) had breaks in both lines when originally entered on the plate; however, later impressions show widened breaks, and, in this example, the breaks are extremely wide. The large margins at top and bottom also allow for easy identification of the type. All factors considered -- design, impression, margins and gum -- this stamp is easily one of the finest original-gum examples of the imperforate Type III.

A review of past auction catalogues demonstrates how rare this stamp is in original-gum condition. None were offered in the Newbury, Zoellner, Golin, Weisman, Lyons or Floyd collections. Caspary had an unused 99R2 in a strip of three, and the Ishikawa collection contained the famous block of nine with one Type III stamp (Position 99R2).

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

90c Carmine & Black – Scott 122

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:38:35 +0000

THE SOLE EXAMPLE IN “95” NONE HIGHER.

Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins for this difficult issue

EXTREMELY FINE GEM WITH THE EXALTED P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869's. The stamp offered here, with lightly hinged original gum and choice centering, probably ranks among the top 1% of surviving 90c 1869's in unused state.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

$4.00 Columbian – Scott 244

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:25:20 +0000

MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE

Mint N.H. Deep rich Crimson Lake shade and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with wide and well-proportioned margins, post-office fresh

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- COLOR, IMPRESSION, FRESHNESS OF PAPER AND GUM AND CENTERING.

Beautifully-preserved intense color is the desirable rich Crimson Lake shade; the paper and gum are fresh and bright, without any of the toning that often affects the Crimson Lake stamps.

This $4.00 Columbian is legendary among knowledgeable collectors and dealers, and its appearance in the marketplace has always established a new benchmark value for the issue. For the collector attempting to assemble the finest set of Mint Never-Hinged Columbian stamps in existence, the $4.00 is a major obstacle to completion. This extraordinary example will become the keystone to perfection.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

$3.00 Olive Green Columbian – Scott 243a

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:22:53 +0000

THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE.

Mint N.H., intense color in the true Olive Green color on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

15c Dark Blue – Scott 274

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:20:58 +0000

Finest Known

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. Without Question THE FINEST KNOWN 15-CENT BUREAU WATERMARKED ISSUE. A true condition rarity excelling in freshness, quality, centering and appearance. FINEST BY A MILE.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

$1.00 Black – Scott 261

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:19:06 +0000

Finest Known - Mint N.H

Intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced and enormous margins all around

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE DIMENSIONS. EXCESSIVELY RARE.

THE FINEST KNOWN BY A MILE.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

5c Gray Brown – Scott 205C

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:16:07 +0000

Special Printing

Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centered

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 21 EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.

This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle, February 1992. His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.

THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

4c Deep Blue Green – Scott 211D

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:14:02 +0000

Special Printing

Without gum as issued, rich color and proof-like impression

AN EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN SPECIAL PRINTING.

A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL SPECIAL PRINTINGS. Post Office Department records indicate that only 26 were sold. THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE.

For Information on this stamp and/or other Classic Rarities - Call Us at 302-765-3352

10c Black – Scott 2

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:09:36 +0000

THIS IS EASILY THE FINEST FAULT-FREE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FOUR LARGE MARGINS. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.

The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law’s effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.

The early imperforate issues are often found with margins close or cutting into the design, because of the difficulty in manually cutting along the narrow gap between stamps. This stamp, with its mostly intact smooth original gum, large margins and beautiful impression, surely ranks among the finest known original-gum examples of the first United States postage issue.