2016 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE. A RARE FIRST DAY COVER BEARING THE 2-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.

The official Columbian First Day of Issue was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday; most post offices were closed, so January 2 is accepted as the alternate First Day of Issue.

With 1971 AFDCS certificate. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,150.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98J). (Image)

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FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.

A Power Search review failed to find another plate block of eight from the top position. Most come from the bottom position, and many have narrow selvage. Only one top plate block of six was located using Power Search. Other notable name sales, such as Kobacker, Fogelson, Eno, MLG and Wampler, did not contain any top plate blocks. The Weill stock contained a sheet of 100, with two bottom plate blocks. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE ONE-CENT THROUGH 10-CENT IMPERFORATE 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

In Brookman Volume III, pages 128-129, a complete account of the origin of the 1895 Imperforates is quoted from a column by George B. Sloane. We provide excerpts: "At the time they appeared, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had, but a short time previously, taken over the stamp printing contract from the American Bank Note Co. and were unfamiliar with and inexperienced in quantity production of postage stamps. Gilbert E. Jones, one of the owners of the New York Times, had rendered the Bureau invaluable technical advice and assistance in the organization of their facilities, and the Bureau desired to reward him in some way for his services. Mr. Jones was well-known collector, interested only in stamps in imperforate pairs, and when the subject was broached he suggested that, while he desired no recompense, if the Bureau could give him an imperforate pair or block of each of the stamps then in current use, for his collection, he would feel more than amply repaid."

Sloane then explains that the Bureau was restricted from presenting him with stamps from stock, but did allow him to buy regular perforated stamps on sale at the post office and exchange them for imperforates. Although the Scott Catalogue at first did not recognize the imperforates as regularly-issued stamps, from 1916 they inserted a statement "All denominations of this issue exist imperforate but they were not regularly issued in that condition". (Image)

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VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE HIGH-VALUE 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

In Brookman Volume III, pages 128-129, a complete account of the origin of the 1895 Imperforates is quoted from a column by George B. Sloane. We provide excerpts: "At the time they appeared, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had, but a short time previously, taken over the stamp printing contract from the American Bank Note Co. and were unfamiliar with and inexperienced in quantity production of postage stamps. Gilbert E. Jones, one of the owners of the New York Times, had rendered the Bureau invaluable technical advice and assistance in the organization of their facilities, and the Bureau desired to reward him in some way for his services. Mr. Jones was well-known collector, interested only in stamps in imperforate pairs, and when the subject was broached he suggested that, while he desired no recompense, if the Bureau could give him an imperforate pair or block of each of the stamps then in current use, for his collection, he would feel more than amply repaid."

Sloane then explains that the Bureau was restricted from presenting him with stamps from stock, but did allow him to buy regular perforated stamps on sale at the post office and exchange them for imperforates. Although the Scott Catalogue at first did not recognize the imperforates as regularly-issued stamps, from 1916 they inserted a statement "All denominations of this issue exist imperforate but they were not regularly issued in that condition". (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE IMPERFORATE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

Only 100 were printed, and most have been divided into pairs. (Image)

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VERY FINE COVER DESPITE STAMP FLAW. THIS IS ONE OF TWO RECORDED PRE-FIRST DAY COVERS OF THE 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE -- JUNE 16, 1898 IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE ISSUE.

The official First Day of Issue of the Trans-Mississippi Issue was June 17, 1898. Two covers are known used on June 16: one from Harrisburg Pa. to Brooklyn (offered in Siegel Sale 1056, lot 362, realized $8,000 hammer) and the cover offered here.

With 1989 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY THREE USED EXAMPLES HAVE GRADED HIGHER.

The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi has been called the most beautiful stamp in United States philately. With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only three have graded higher. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

With 2007 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and the only one to achieve it. Looking at the P.S.E.'s Population Report, only one has graded higher and four others share this grade. (Image)

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FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.

The 4c stamp portrays an electric automobile, known at the time as the "Electric Vehicle Service," as depicted on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad brochure from which the engraving was made. In the background one can see the dome of the Capitol. One of the two men seated at the front was Samuel B. Hege, B&O's passenger agent, so this stamp actually depicts a living person in violation of the law.

The 4c Pan-American Invert was a special printing and not regularly issued. Examples were distributed through two official channels, and the gum on the majority of stamps without "Specimen" overprint was disturbed. In fact, because 97 of the stamps were removed from an album page, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.

With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue notes that "Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed". (Image)

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