2020 Rarities of the World continued...

A VERY FINE AND CELEBRATED COVER. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER OF ANY 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.

This cover was formerly owned by Ed Siskin, who collaborated with Henry Scheuer for an article about the cover, published in the January-February 1979 issue of First Days (the publication of the American First Day Cover Society). Although many 1890 values were available at over 400 post offices, this is the only First Day cover to have surfaced. Today, 40 years after the article was written, it is still the only known First Day for the issue.

Ex Siskin and Dr. Martin. With 1975 AFDCS and 1975 P.F. certificates. Scott value $35,000.00 (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 219D]

VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1890 2-CENT CARMINE, WITH EACH STAMP SHOWING THE CAP ON THE LEFT "2".

This is only the second Mint N.H. plate block of this desirable variety we have offered since we started keeping computerized records. As a further indication of rarity, we have only offered one hinged plate block of Scott 220a during that time.

With 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 220a]

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT 1890 ISSUE -- PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

A Power Search review located only one other Mint N.H. plate block of Scott 226 in our auctions since 1993 and our Rarities sales since 1964 -- a top plate block of 21 with hinged stamps below the Mint N.H. plate block of ten (ex Wampler and Dr. Johnson). Even hinged plate blocks are rare with fewer than five offered in our auctions in 30 years.

Ex "Silver Lake". With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 226]

FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE.

The 15c 1890 Issue was printed only from Plate 22. Plate blocks are especially rare. We have offered only two others since at least the 1990s, one each from the top and bottom positions (and both Mint N.H.) (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 227]

FINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF THE UNDERRATED LATE 19TH CENTURY ISSUES, WHICH IS EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE IN LARGE MULTIPLES.

The 30c 1890 Issue was printed only from Plate 24. The beautiful Black Jefferson design was the last 30c U.S. definitive to be issued during the 19th century (the Jefferson design was changed to 50c in 1894). Large multiples are very scarce. We have offered only three full plate blocks (one is rejoined) since keeping computerized records. While this block is missing part of the imprint, it is still a most impressive piece and the largest multiple listed in Power Search.

Scott value as singles (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 228]

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USE OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE ON COVER. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED COMPLETE ENVELOPES WITH THIS HIGH DENOMINATION.

Our census of 90c 1890 uses includes 7 envelopes, 5 wrappers, 4 tags and 2 qualifying pieces, for a total of 18 items. This is a philatelically inspired use of the 90c 1890 on a printed envelope to the famous collector, Hiram E. Deats, who was known as the "Philatelic Farmer of Flemington." Deats, who was 22 years old when he received this cover, lived until the age of 93.

Illustrated in Chronicle 107 (Aug. 1980). Listed but unpriced in Scott on cover (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 229]