Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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2012 Rarities of the World continued...

Columbian Issue

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

177

1c-$5.00 Columbian (230-245). Complete set, tied by "New York Aug. 4 1:30 PM 93" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancels on oversize cover to Karlsruhe, Germany, light vertical file folds do not affect stamps, $1.00 tiny corner crease at top left

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND COLORFUL COVER BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE POPULAR COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION ISSUE.

A total of $16.34 in postage was paid to create this philatelic masterpiece. Perhaps five or six covers exist with all sixteen Columbian Issue stamps. (Image)

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E. 15,000-20,000

SOLD for $27,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

178°

5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations all around

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,200.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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180.00

SOLD for $9,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

179

5c Columbian (234). Full sheet of 100 with selvage at sides and two imprints and plate no. 8 at bottom, natural s.e. at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression, most Mint N.H. except where few perf separations expertly reinforced, few flaws including internal crease at center and one stamp towards top left internal tear, some perf separations as would be expected

FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SHEET OF 100 OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS FORMAT WAS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE PHILATELIC AGENCY IN WASHINGTON.

All of the 1c stamps and most but not all of the 2c stamps of the Columbian issue were printed from 200-subject plates, with guide arrows between the two panes of 100. The perforating machine applied horizontal perforations and cut the 200-stamp sheets into panes of 100 in the same operation, normally leaving a trace of the guide arrow on the straight edge of each pane. Some of the 2c stamps and all of the 3c-$5.00 stamps were printed on smaller presses from plates of only 100 subjects, with no guide arrows. When the perforating machine applied horizontal perforations to sheets from the 100-subject plates, the cutting knife came down as before, and removed either the top or bottom sheet margin (and plate numbers), reducing by half the potential number of Columbian plate blocks that might have been available to collectors. This is also why so many Columbian stamps are reperforated at top or bottom rather than at the sides -- 10 stamps from every 100-subject sheet (or pane) would show a straight edge at either top or bottom. The 100-subject sheets were then divided into panes of 50 for distribution and sale at post offices. The undivided full sheets of 100, such as the one offered here, were only available from the Philatelic Agency in Washington D.C.

Approximate Scott Retail as two hinged plate blocks plus hinged and Mint N.H. singles (Image)

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19,000.00

SOLD for $6,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

180

8c Columbian (236). Pane of 50 with bottom imprint, letter "Z" and plate no. 104, largely Mint N.H. but a number of stamps in right and left vertical columns with disturbed or short gum (possibly from application) including one stamp in the plate block, completely separated between seventh and eighth horizontal rows, pos. 4 and 5 defective, attractive multiple which contains a Fine plate block and left imprint block, Scott Retail as hinged plate block plus hinged and Mint N.H. singles (Image)

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6,500.00

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

181°

$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed on bright paper, detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH DEPICTS THE FAMOUS SCENE OF QUEEN ISABELLA PLEDGING HER JEWELS. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY THREE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

According to Brookman, only 55,050 copies of the $1.00 Columbian were issued. It was sold out before all of the other dollar values, probably because it was the most affordable of the dollar-value stamps. Speculation soon drove the price to $5.00 but it soon fell again, to about $1.50.

The theme of the stamp, Isabella pledging her jewels to finance Columbus's voyage, is known to most fifth-grade students who study the voyage of Columbus. However, the offer was never accepted, as financing was found elsewhere.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $40,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and one of only three to achieve this grade. (Image)

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3,850.00

SOLD for $23,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

182°

$2.00 Columbian (242). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins for this difficult stamp, fully-formed perforations all around

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 FROM P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY $2.00 COLUMBIAN, AND ONLY THREE HAVE RECEIVED IT.

Typically, when a collector assembles an Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged set of Columbians, the $2.00 space remains empty to the very end due to the low supply and high demand. It is simply one of the rarest stamps of the set in this condition.

Ex Scarsdale. 1975 and 1999 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $50,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade. (Image)

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4,000.00

SOLD for $67,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

183°

$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,850.00). Only two have graded higher to date. (Image)

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1,150.00

SOLD for $2,900.00
Will close during Public Auction

184

$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color and detailed impression on crisp paper, choice centering

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,850.00). Only two have graded higher to date. (Image)

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1,150.00

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

185

$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98, SMQ $9,500.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only two others share this grade. (Image)

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1,600.00

SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

186°

$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $4,800.00). Only four have graded higher to date. (Image)

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1,600.00

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

187°

$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $4,800.00). Only three have graded higher to date. (Image)

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1,600.00

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction