US Stamps Prices Scott 233: 1893 4c Columbian Exposition: Fleet of Columbus. Page 7

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $2,750.00), only four have graded higher

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1809

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Original gum, barely hinged, intense shade and impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ price $575.00 as 98), only one has graded higher and none share this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 212

4c Columbian, Error of Color (Scott 233a). Original gum, lightly hinged, breathtaking deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. A MARVELOUS 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 other 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 Hetherington. With 1951 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo, SMQ value $20,900.00 as 85, $26,700.00 as 90). Only one has graded higher (at 90).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 213

Scott #233, 4c Columbian, handsome mint single that is especially well centered within large balanced margins, bright color on fresh white paper, unblemished o.g., n.h., extremely fine gem; 2008 PSE certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ value $750.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 106

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Vivid color, wide and beautifully balanced margins, neat strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ value $575.00), only five have graded higher (all at 98J)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3341

1893, 4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), wonderfully fresh example with incredibly rich color, a most attractive stamp, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott $180. Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1130

1893, 4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), sensational GEM quality stamp, with immense margins and bold rich color, simply spectacular, o.g., lightly hinged, Superb. Scott $60. Estimate $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1131

1893, 4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), large margins and deep rich color, marcelous top quality example, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine, 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott $180. Estimate $250 – 350.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1129

4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, intense color in the darker of the two shades, with three-leafs variety at right, bold strike of duplex datestamp and oval grid numeral cancel EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND AND CENTERED USED COPY OF THIS ERROR IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. ONLY TWELVE USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE. 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, illustrated at left and available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/233a/233a.pdf , contains 13 stamps which at one time have been certified as genuine used examples. One was originally certified as Deep Ultramarine and subsequently received a certificate as the genuine Blue error of color. Another was originally certified as the genuine error of color and received a recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. The copy offered here is the only one confirmed as sound. Census Nos. 4 and 7 may be sound but have not been seen in many years. Even if they are sound, neither has choice centering. Only the stamp offered here is sound and centered. Census No. 233a-CAN-01. With 1999 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo). This is the only graded used example of this issue. Scott Catalogue notes that “No. 233a used is valued with small faults, as almost all examples come thus.”

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 117

4c Columbian (Scott 233). Beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, long and even perforations, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ value $575.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to date and one of only five to achieve this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 116

1893, 4¢ Columbian, blue color error (233a), beautifully centered with large margins, deep rich color and full original gum; remarkably fresh and Very Fine to Extremely Fine. SMQ value $20,900. Scott $18,000 AN TRULY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE ERROR; THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE RECEIVED A PSE 85, WITH JUST TWO BEING GRADED HIGHER—A 90 AND A 90J. Expertization: 2005 PSE Certificate graded VF-XF 85. Provenance: “Laila”.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 256

1893, 4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), bottom margin part imprint single, o.g., never hinged, impressive example with huge margins and spectacular deep rich color, much deeper and richer than normaly encountered on this issue, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $180. Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 908

1893, 4¢ Columbian (Scott 233), bottom margin part imprint single, o.g., never hinged, incredibly fresh, in immaculate mint condition, a very pleasing well centered stamp, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $180. Estimate value $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 909

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 4¢ Columbian, #233. N.h. marginal copy, deep shade, Grade 95 Choice Extremely Fine, PSE (2012), PF (2001) certs. Scott Stamp Values $850. Estimate price $400-500.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1307

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 4¢ Columbian, “Three Leaf Variety”, #233. Slightly disturbed o.g., Grade 95 Extremely Fine to Superb, PSE (2007) cert. Scott Stamp Values $240+. Estimate $200-240.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1308