Philadelphia Bank Note
Co.,1c-90c Washington, Composite Plate Essays (182-E2e, 183-E3e). First
is sheet of sixteen in Deep Orange Brown, second is sheet of twenty in Deep
Orange Brown, original gum, some h.r., few minor faults, otherwise
Fine-Very Fine (Image)
Philadelphia Bank Note Co.,
1c-90c Washington, Composite Plate Essays (182-E2e, 183-E3e). First is
sheet of 20 in Deep Brown Orange, second is sheet of sixteen in unlisted
Ultramarine, original gum, h.r., few minor faults, otherwise Fine (Image)
2c Vermilion (183). Mint
N.H., brilliant color and bright fresh paper, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F.
certificate, Scott Retail as hinged (Image) 
2c Vermilion (183). Mint
N.H., bright vivid color and three unusually wide margins, Fine and
attractive, Scott Retail as hinged (Image)
2c Vermilion (183).
Original gum, lighty hinged, radiant color, wide and well-balanced margins,
Extremely Fine (Image) 
2c Vermilion (183).
Original gum, vivid color, near perfect centering, wonderfully fresh and
Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
(Image) 
5c Blue (185). Original
gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, bright and
fresh, Extremely Fine, a handsome example of the 5c Taylor American
printing, with 2004 P.F. certificate (Image) 
6c Pink (186). Original
gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, trivial natural inclusion not
mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F.
certificate (Image)
10c Brown, With Secret Mark
(188). Unused (regummed), rich color and excellent impression, reperfed
at bottom, appears Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate (Image) 
15c Red Orange (189).
Original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color, well-balanced margins, fresh
and Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
(Image) 
30c Full Black (190). Mint
N.H., sharp proof-like impression, beautifully centered with balanced
margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARY MINT NEVER-HINGED 30-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS RARELY OBTAINABLE IN CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
The 30c 1879 American Bank Note Company issue is surprisingly difficult to obtain in choice Mint N.H. condition. It is surprising because the 15c (Scott 189) is readily available. However, a survey of our photo records and auction library revealed the scarcity of well-centered 30c blocks from which singles could be harvested. The blocks in the Green sales were off center. Caspary had a well-centered hinged block of four, and Lilly had a block of nine with problems. The Moody block of six was well-centered, but appears to have had hinge remnants on all stamps. The Todd collection had two blocks, including one with a Mint N.H. pair at bottom (this has probably been broken, furnishing at least two Mint N.H. stamps). The Close collection had a well-centered block of four (with reinforcing) and a large plate block. The Siegel firm's three major Bank Note Issue sales (Braus, Hirschfield, Wunderlich) contained blocks, but all were either off center or had hinge remnants. A well-centered block of four appeared in our 1982 Rarities sale, but it was hinged.
With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)