The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE. ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.

Collectors of this issue know that it is extremely difficult to find the first Bureau issue in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note contract expired.

With 1998 P.F. certificate for pair and 2006 P.F. certificate for single. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TY. II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only five others share it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 4-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE, SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER STAMP.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. This is the first time we have offered this grade in one of our auctions. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE TOP POSITION PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.

With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only two have graded higher (both 95J). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WITH THE "R" OF "USIR" WATERMARK. ONLY 27 USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO US, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

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 updated census of this issue, published at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/271a/271a.pdf , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. Fifteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The other twelve are split exactly equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.

Census No. 271a-CAN-08. Ex Hoffner, Rubin and "Natalee Grace". With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $30,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE ON THE "USIR" WATERMARKED PAPER. THIS STAMP HAS ALL THE QUALITIES ONE COULD HOPE TO FIND -- WIDE MARGINS, RICH COLOR, BRIGHT PAPER, FULL PERFORATIONS AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL.

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. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c, but many are either off-center or have flaws.

Ex Hoffner, Rubin and "Natalee Grace". With 1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only one other shares this grade. One could also argue that this is the highest grade awarded showing the "R" of the "USIR" watermark. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION AND A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.

Ex "Scarsdale". With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only two are graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (one 95J and one 98) (Image)

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