The Scarsdale Collection, Part Three continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP, WITH ITS PRISTINE GUM, BEAUTIFUL COLOR, POST-OFFICE FRESH PAPER AND PERFECT CENTERING, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

With 1988 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $12,800.00). Only one other has achieved this exalted grade. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 8-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH MAGNIFICENT CONDITION.

With 1994 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 10-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THE 10-CENT IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE IN ANY CONDITION. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO RECEIVE THIS GRADE.

A review of our past computerized records confirms that this is the finest example we have offered.

With 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $8,200.00) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

With 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE SOUND AND CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 50-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

With 1995 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $3,200.00) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE DIMENSIONS.

With 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ $8,700.00 as 90, $20,800.00 as 95). Only one stamp has graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.

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 1988 P.F. certificate as block of four and 2003 P.F. certificate as single. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $11,500.00). In our opinion this meets every criteria for XF 90 (see lot 104 for corresponding Scott 276A with XF 90 grade). (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

The higher-value 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue can be difficult to find in well-centered and sound condition, due to production problems. Mint Never-Hinged examples in superior grades, such as the stamp offered here, should be considered great condition rarities. This is one of four $2.00 1894 stamps we have offered in Mint Never-Hinged condition in the last 13 years, the other three having much inferior centering.

With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $25,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date (one other shares this grade), and is the highest grade with a priced catalogue value in SMQ. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP, OF WHICH A MERE 25,000 WERE ISSUED.

As noted for the $2.00, the 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.

Ex Saadi and Zoellner. With 1988 and 1989 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $11,200.00) (Image)