US Stamps Price Scott 234: 1893 5c Columbian Exposition: Columbus Soliciting Aid from Queen Isabella. Page 8

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 5¢ Columbian, #234. N.h., sharp impression, Grade 90 an Extremely Fine gem, PSE (2012), PF (1990) certs. Scott Stamp Values $375. Estimate price $220-250.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1311

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 5¢ Columbian, #234. N.h., Very Fine to Extremely Fine, PF (2009) cert. Scott $180. Estimate $200-250.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1312

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 5¢ Columbian, #234. N.h. (encapsulated), Grade 90 Extremely Fine. Free conversion to paper certificate available for this lot. PSE (2003) slab. Scott Stamp Values $375. Estimate $180-220.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1313

Scott #234, 5c Columbian, bottom sheet-margin single, exceptionally well centered within uncommonly large margins, intensely rich color and a razor-sharp impression, pristine o.g., n.h., extremely fine; 1997 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 173

1893, 5¢ Columbian (Scott 234), extraordinary wide top sheet margin letter “B” single, huge JUMBO margins, brillint fresh color, a wonderful top quality stamp, o.g., stamp never hinged, very lightly hinged in selvage only, Extremely Fine. Scott $180. Estimate price $200 – 300. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1506

1893, 5¢ Columbian (Scott 234), handsome bottom margin part imprint single, especially intense color, attractive stamp, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine. Scott $180. Estimate $200 – 300. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1507

5c Columbian (234). Full sheet of 100 with selvage at sides and two imprints and plate no. 8 at bottom, natural s.e. at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression, most Mint N.H. except where few perf separations expertly reinforced, few flaws including internal crease at center and one stamp towards top left internal tear, some perf separations as would be expected FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SHEET OF 100 OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS FORMAT WAS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE PHILATELIC AGENCY IN WASHINGTON. All of the 1c stamps and most but not all of the 2c stamps of the Columbian issue were printed from 200-subject plates, with guide arrows between the two panes of 100. The perforating machine applied horizontal perforations and cut the 200-stamp sheets into panes of 100 in the same operation, normally leaving a trace of the guide arrow on the straight edge of each pane. Some of the 2c stamps and all of the 3c-$5.00 stamps were printed on smaller presses from plates of only 100 subjects, with no guide arrows. When the perforating machine applied horizontal perforations to sheets from the 100-subject plates, the cutting knife came down as before, and removed either the top or bottom sheet margin (and plate numbers), reducing by half the potential number of Columbian plate blocks that might have been available to collectors. This is also why so many Columbian stamps are reperforated at top or bottom rather than at the sides — 10 stamps from every 100-subject sheet (or pane) would show a straight edge at either top or bottom. The 100-subject sheets were then divided into panes of 50 for distribution and sale at post offices. The undivided full sheets of 100, such as the one offered here, were only available from the Philatelic Agency in Washington D.C. Approximate Scott Retail as two hinged plate blocks plus hinged and Mint N.H. singles

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 179

5c Columbian (Scott 234). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations all around EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,200.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 178

1893, 5¢ Columbian (Scott 234), top plate number and imprint strip of 4, o.g., hinge remnants, disturbed gum, especially intense color, fresh and appealing, Fine. Scott $425 Estimate $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 233

o 1893, 5¢ Columbian (234), choice centering within oversized margins, sharp impression on brilliant paper, fresh and Extremely Fine. Scott value $9 Expertization: 1992 P.F. Certificate. Provenance: Saadi.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4421

P 1893, 5¢ Columbian, plate proof on India (234P3), top sheet margin block of eight with American Bank Note Co. and “B” imprints, large margins, fresh and Very Fine. Scott $520+

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4420

5c Columbian (Scott 234). Mint N.H., wide margins and gorgeous centering, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 545

1893, 5¢ Columbian (234), choice, near-perfect centering with large margins and post office fresh, never hinged original gum; Extremely Fine to Superb. SMQ price $1,200. Scott $180 Expertization: PSE encapsulated and graded XF-Sup 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 310

1893, 5¢ Columbian (234), mathematically centered with absolutely enormous margins, rich color and immaculate, never hinged original gum; fresh, choice and truly Superb. SMQ price $3,500 for a normal 98. Scott $180 A STUNNING 5¢ COLUMBIAN JUMBO; ONLY A SINGLE EXAMPLE HAS BEEN GRADED HIGHER BY PSE. Expertization: PSE encapsulated and graded Superb 98J.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 309

U.S.; General Issues, 1893, 5¢ Columbian, #234. N.h., grade 90 Very Fine to Extremely Fine, PSE (2011) cert. Scott Stamp Values $375. Estimate $300-350.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 991