US Stamp Prices Scott Catalog 288: 5c 1898 Trans Mississippi Exposition: Fremont on the Rocky Mountains. Page 9

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80, SMQ value $310.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1620

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 618 block of four, radiant color, crisp impression, small hinge mark in ungummed part of selvage (easily trimmed and so counted as Mint N.H.), Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1227

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Bottom imprint and plate no. 614 block of four, original gum, bit heavy h.r., detailed impression, some toned spots on back, appears Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1226

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Bottom imprint and plate no. 618 block of four, bottom stamps Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1228

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 602 block of four, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, tiny natural paper wrinkle in selvage only at top left, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1223

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Top imprint and plate no. 614 block of four, disturbed original gum from adherence of 8c pane (looks like offset of 8c on back of this 5c), top stamps natural paperfolds, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1225

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 602 block of four, rich color on bright paper, fresh and Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 971, Lot 1224

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. with plate no. 618 and wide selvage at top, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED TO DATE. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMPS IN ANY DENOMINATION TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The 1893 Columbian Issue contains 16 different denominations, and at the time of their issue for the Columbian Exposition there was a backlash among collectors, who had to pay $16.33 to purchase a complete set (the equivalent of $372.36 in 2007 dollars). For the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held in Omaha Nebraska, the issue was restricted to nine denominations, with no denominations issued above $2.00. The $3.80 cost for the set, while still expensive ($93.53 in 2007 dollars), was at least more manageable. The Trans-Mississippi plates were laid out with narrower space between the horizontal rows than the space between the vertical columns. The mathematically balanced margins necessary to achieve a Gem 100 grade require extra space between the horizontal rows of perforations. Anyone who has examined Trans-Mississippi sheets and multiples can testify to the rarity of stamps with perfectly balanced margins all around. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ value $15,600.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded to date. The only other denomination represented by a Mint N.H. Gem 100 stamp is the 8c (one awarded). One previously hinged $1.00 is graded 100, and it realized $45,000 hammer in our September 2008 auction.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4472

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. with imprint and wide selvage at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $4,450.00). Only four have graded higher to date.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4473

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., attractive margins and centering, sharp color and impression, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ value $1,250.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4474

5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Bottom imprint and plate no. 602 block of four, accompanying certificate states stamps Mint N.H. and hinged only in selvage, we believe today’s more rigid expertizers would think differently, bright color, left stamps with faint trace of toning at left edge not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as all hinged

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 908

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (288), fresh and well centered with deep olor and bright paper. Original gum, never hinged. Very Fine. Scott value $400 Expertization: 1990 P.F. Certificate for a pair.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2008, Sale 328, Lot 810

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 5¢ Trans-Mississippi, #288. Very l.h., plate single, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $140+. Estimate value $150-200.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jun 2008, Sale 78, Lot 1474

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 5¢ Trans-Mississippi, Plate Block of 4 With Imprint, #288. O.g. (small. h.r. for reinforcement), top #602, fresh color, Fine. Scott $900. Estimate $150-200.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jun 2008, Sale 78, Lot 1475

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (288), choice centering, with lustrous color on bright paper, o.g., NH, fresh and choice, Extremely Fine. SMQ price $4,250. Scott $400 A GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 5¢ TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. Expertization: 2005 P.S.E. Certificate graded XF-Superb 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 1841