US Stamp Prices Scott 233: 1893 4c Columbian Exposition: Fleet of Columbus. Page 4

o    4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), perfectly centered within immense margins, bright fresh color and paper, neat duplex cancel, Superb, a magnificent jumbo used single, the highest graded by the PSE, which grade is shared by only 4 others. SMQ price $575+ (photo). $9 Expertization: 2009 P.S.E. Certificate graded Superb 98J. Provenance: Natalee Grace.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 340

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H., excellent centering, attractive color, Extremely Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate and 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ price $400.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2014, Sale 1068, Lot 181

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Bottom imprint, plate no. 19 and letter “D” block of eight, original gum, h.r., bright color, few toned spots, right center stamps vertical crease, otherwise Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1217

Scott #233, 4c Columbian, lovely mint single, wonderfully well centered within large margins, o.g., n.h., extremely fine.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 146, Lot 298

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 4¢ Columbian, Plate Block of 8, #233. O.g., large top #20, “some rejoined perf. separations between stamps at right and in the selvedge at top center”, Fine to Very Fine appearance, PF (2006) cert. Scott $1,800. Estimate price $500-600.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 100, Lot 491

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 4¢ Columbian, #233. N.h. imprint single, lovely copy, well centered, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $165. Estimate value $100-120.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 100, Lot 490

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H., bright shade, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 419

4c Columbian, Error of Color (Scott 233a). Original gum which is very slightly disturbed, lightly hinged, the more intense of the two error shades, fresh and bright paper, well-centered with enormously wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. A PHENOMENAL STAMP. The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately. Ex Zoellner. With 1984, 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 420

1893, 4¢ Columbian (233), bottom plate block of 6, disturbed o.g., handsome multiple with vivid color, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,000. Estimate value $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2013, Sale 640, Lot 190

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Bottom imprint, plate no. 20 and letter “D” strip of four, original gum, bright color, wide selvage and each stamp has wide margins, certificate notes slightly round corner in left selvage, Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3678

4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Wide margins and choice centering, deep color in the more intense of the two shades, bold duplex cancel, small filled thin at bottom right not mentioned on accompanying certificate VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY THIRTEEN USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF USED UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND OF THE POPULAR COLUMBIAN ISSUE. The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least three panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from at least one additional pane. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately. Our census of used Scott 233a, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/233a/233a.pdf , contains 13 stamps certified as No 233a. One additional stamp was previously certified as the error, but received a recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. This is one of the best centered of the examples contained in our census. Census No. 233a-CAN-06. With 1978 P.F. certificate not mentioning the filled thin

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3679

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H. block of four, Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3677

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered with wide margins, beautiful color and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $440.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3674

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, Jumbo margins, bright shade, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ value $450.00 as 90, $675.00 as 95)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3675

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, h.r. in selvage only, radiant color, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ value $675.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3672