US Stamps Price Scott # 289: 1898 8c Trans Mississippi Exposition: Troops Guarding Wagon. Page 7

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 8¢ Trans-Mississippi, Scott #289. L.h., Grade 90 Extremely Fine, PSE (2008) cert. 310. Estimate value $200-240.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1419

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 8¢ Trans-Mississippi, #289. N.h. (hinged selvage only), very rich color, lovely marginal copy, different gradings for PSE and PSAG, magnificent copy, PSE Grade 90, PSAG Grade 95 Extremely Fine to Superb, PSE (2012), PSAG (2012), PF (1991, 2003) certs. Scott Stamp Values $5,500 + (PSAG). Scott Stamp Values $1,250 + (PSE). Estimate $500-600.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1416

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), bottom margin plate #609 single, fresh and choice, o.g., never hinged; tiny inclusion, Very Fine. Scott $500. Estimate $300 – 400. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1659

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), bright color, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine, copy of 2006 PF certificate from which this is the bootom right stamp. Scott $500. Estimate value $250 – 350. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1660

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), attractive bottom margin plate no. 609 single, deep vibrant color and superior centering, o.g., previously hinged, Extremely Fine. Scott $165. Estimate $150 – 200. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1661

8c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 289). Top imprint and plate no. 609 block of four, three stamps Mint N.H., top right stamp lightly hinged, Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VG-F 60)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1349

8c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 289). Mint N.H. with wide imprint selvage at top, brilliant color, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY TWO TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMPS IN ANY DENOMINATION TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The 1893 Columbian Issue, comprising 16 different denominations, created a backlash from collectors, who resented paying $16.34 for a complete set (the equivalent of $380 in today’s dollars). For the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held in Omaha Nebraska, the number of stamps was reduced to nine denominations up to $2.00. The $3.80 cost for the set, while still expensive ($95 in today’s dollars), was at least more manageable. Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ value $20,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and one of only two examples to achieve this grade. The only other denomination represented by a Mint N.H. Gem 100 stamp is the 5c (two awarded, one of which is offered in the previous lot).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 200

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), top pair with plate number and imprint, o.g., hinge remnants, visially appealing multiple with wide top selvage, dazzling bright shade, a beauty, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $400 Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 267

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (289), bottom margin imprint and plate number pair, exceptionally fresh and crisp with pristine, never hinged original gum, F.-V.F. Scott price $1,000 as singles

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4474

8c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 289). Mint N.H., nicely balanced margins with bottom plate no. selvage, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 632

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (289), mathematically centered with beautifully balanced margins, rich warm color and post office fresh, never hinged original gum; an Extremely Fine to Superb Gem. SMQ $5,750. Scott $500 AN UNUSUALLY CHOICE 8¢ TRANS-MISS. Expertization: 2010 PSE Certificate graded XF-Sup 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 366

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), handsome top sheet margin single, o.g., never hinged, beautifully centered with dazzling bright color and sharp clear impression, pristine mint stamp in Post Office fresh condition, Extremely Fine. Scott $500 Estimate value $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 407

8c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 289). Six singles, incl. one with imprint selvage at bottom, disturbed original gum, rich colors, Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2011, Sale 1017, Lot 724

1898, 8¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 289), top plate block of 4 with plate number and imprint, o.g., never hinged, impressive well centered example, Post Office fresh and choice, Very Fine, 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott value $3,400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 276

8c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 289). Wide bottom imprint and plate no. 609 block of four, original gum, attractively centered, some strengthened separations, slight stain on back of pos. 4 and couple gum soaked perfs in selvage beneath, otherwise Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1644