6c Dull Brown, USIR Waternmark
(271a). Showing clear "I" of watermark, deep rich color, choice
centering for this difficult stamp, well-struck "1" duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONLY FIFTEEN USED COPIES OF THE 6-CENT 1895 USIR WATERMARK STAMP HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A GREAT RARITY.
Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Of the fifteen used copies certified by the Philatelic Foundation, eight have perfs either close or touching the design (including both stamps in the only known pair), and one has a straight edge. The stamp offered here is one of the finest extant.
With 1980 P.F. certificate (Image)
8c Violet Brown, USIR
Watermark (272a). Showing clear "R" of watermark, choice centering with
wide margins, rich color, bold cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1895 USIR WATERMARK.
Our census of Scott 272a records a total of 65 surviving copies. The example offered here is one of the best-centered examples. The finest example contained in our records realized $6,250 hammer in our Sale 826. (Image)
8c Violet Brown, USIR
Watermark (272a). Block of four, top right stamp shows clear "R" and
top left stamp shows clear "I" of watermark, choice centering with wide
margins (particularly the top left stamp), rich color, bold strikes of
straightline handstamp, small corner crease at bottom right, horizontal
perf separations sensibly reinforcedEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED BLOCK OF THE 8-CENT 1895 USIR WATERMARK.
Our census of Scott 272a records a total of 64 surviving copies. This is the only recorded used multiple, and the only block in either unused or used condition.
With 1987 P.F. certificate (Image)