Value of US Stamp Scott Catalog # 262: US$2.00 1894 James Madison Bureau. Page 5

$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Bottom imprint and plate no. 84 strip of three, original gum, bit heavy h.r., thin spots on left and right stamps, horizontal crease, second crease at right, left stamp separated and expertly reattached, otherwise Very Good, a rare multiple — the full plate block catalogues $45,000.00 — Scott Retail as intact strip

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1882

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Unused (no gum), rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, perfectly centered EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ value $1,650.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1881

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Original gum, very lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. With 2006 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1880

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Original gum, single hinge mark, wonderful warm color, unusually wide margins for this issue EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $8,150.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is a 90.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 244

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Mint N.H., bright color, detailed impression, wide margins VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. We have only sold five others in Mint N.H. condition since keeping computerized records. Of these, at least two only rated the grade of Fine. This value is often overlooked by collectors seeking the $5.00 of the series in Mint N.H. condition. Ex Odeneal. With 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4151

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Gorgeous centering and margins, rich color on wonderful bright paper, light strike of oval registry cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP TO FIND WITH PERFECT CENTERING AND A LIGHT CANCEL. Brookman notes “Only 10,027 of this stamp were issued and for some reason the centering on most of the copies we have seen is very poor.” This amounts to just a bit more than 100 panes. Only a small number were used, mostly on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be heavily cancelled and many were damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps. No covers are known. Given Brookman’s comments on centering, the existence of this superb stamp is a true anomaly. With 1979 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others have achieved this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3377

() U.S.; General Issues, 1894, $2 bright blue, #262. Unused, small thin, Average. Scott $1,000. Estimate value $100.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 221

1894, $2 bright blue (Scott 262), beautiful appearing large margined example, with wonderfully rich color, rarely found with such impressive centering and margins, o.g., lightly hinged; expertly reperforated at bottom, Extremely Fine, 2010 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $2,750. Estimate $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1175

1894, $2 bright blue (Scott 262), nicely centered example of this elusive stamp, brilliant fresh color, o.g., hinge remnant; natural gum crack (gum crease), and a natural ink spot at bottom, Fine to Very Fine, 2009 Weiss certificate. Scott $2,750. Estimate $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1176

1894, $2 bright blue (Scott 262), deep dark shade, handsome appearing copy of this elusive stamp, bold black cancellation; expertly repaired, including a sealed tear at bottom right, Very Fine. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1177

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Gorgeous lustrous shade on wonderful bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins all around, long and full perforations, neat strike of oval registry cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. Brookman notes “Only 10,027 of this stamp were issued and for some reason the centering on most of the copies we have seen is very poor.” This amounts to just a bit more than 100 panes. Only a small number were used, mostly on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps. No covers are known. Given Brookman’s comments on centering, the existence of this superb stamp is a true anomaly. With 1997 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others have achieved this grade. Based on centering, color and overall freshness we are surprised this did not grade higher.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 140

1894, $2 bright blue (262), superlative centering amid extra large, well balanced margins with vibrant color, bright paper and very lightly hinged original gum; a choice, Extremely Fine Gem. Scott value $2,750 JUMBO MARGINS AND SUPERB CENTERING ARE RARELY SEEN ON FIRST BUREAU HIGH VALUES � THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE IS AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. Expertization: 1988, 1996 & 2005 PF Certificates. Provenance: Enstrom.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 278

1894, $2 bright blue (Scott 262), o.g., lightly hinged, extremely attractive example of this tough stamp, an immaculate example in pristine state of preservation, rare thus, as this stamp rarely comes this fresh, Fine. Scott $2,750. Estimate value $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 962

1894, $2 bright blue (Scott 262), o.g., hinge remnant, attractive example of this terribly difficult stamp, brilliant fresh with sharp clear impression; reperforated, insignificant pencil notaion on reverse, otherwise Fine. Scott $2,750. Estimate price $350 – 500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 963

U.S.; General Issues, 1894, $2 Bright Blue, #262. L.h. (n.h. appearance), centered left, Fine, PSAG (2012) cert. Scott $2,750. Estimate value $300-350.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1378