1895, 5¢ chocolate (Scott 270), Post Office fresh, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine, 2008 PSE Cert. Scott $105. Estimate value $60 – 80. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1614

Scott #270, 5c Chocolate, gem used example, with striking deep color and sharp impression on fresh white paper, incredibly well centered within symmetrical margins, unobtrusive postmark, an extremely fine gem; 2012 PSE certificate (XF-Sup 95; SMQ price $225.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 142, Lot 263

4c Dark Brown (Scott 269). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $325.00 as 98), this is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is the only example to achieve it in any category, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp is a 98

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 251

4c Dark Brown, Diagonal Bisect (269 var). Tied by light strike of circular datestamp, second strike of “Wadhams Mills N.Y. Mar. 29, 1898” circular datestamp on cover to West New Brighton N.Y., ms. “Out of 2 & 1c G.H.P.” notation next to bisect, receiving backstamp, with original enclosure stating “The P.M. here is out of 1’s and 2’s and is forced to split 4c stamps. I mail you one and if you desire more I will save some for you. It will be a most interesting and genuine provisional”, opened a bit roughly at left, stamp with tiny toned spot, Very Fine, unusual and rare usage, accompanied by typed transcript of notes regarding these bisects

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3599

3c Purple (Scott 268). Huge bottom imprint and plate no. 1216 block of six, two stamps faintly hinged, others Mint N.H., spectacular centering for this closely-spaced issue, beautiful intense color and wonderfully fresh, Extremely Fine, an outstanding quality plate block of this Bureau Issue, with 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1267

1895, 2¢ carmine, type III (Scott 267), remarkable gem quality top margin plate no. 219 single with huge margins, o.g., never hinged, Superb. Scott $16. Estimate price $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1180

1895, 2¢ carmine, type II (Scott 266), left plate number and imprint strip of 3, o.g., never hinged, extremely attractive multiple with unbelievable deep rich color, trivial natural gum skips are of little consequence, each stamp with extra large margins, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $300 for singles. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 973

Scott #265, 2c Carmine, Ty. I, brilliantly fresh left sheet-margin plate no. 114 single, radiant color, very well centered within extravagantly large margins, pristine o.g., n.h., extremely fine gem; 2001 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 186

o U.S.; General Issues, 1895, 1¢ blue, #264. Used, choice example, grade 95 Extremely Fine to Superb, PSAG (2012) cert. Scott Stamp Values $95. Estimate $50.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, May 2014, Sale 101, Lot 143

$5.00 Dark Green (Scott 263). Three wide margins, oval registry cancel, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1600

$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98, SMQ $20,900.00). Only three others share this grade and only one has graded higher to date. Collectors waiting for a Mint N.H. example in higher grades will have a very long wait — the highest grade awarded thus far to a Mint N.H. copy is 80.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 195

$5.00 Dark Green (Scott 263). Deep rich color, beautifully balanced margins, light strike of oval cancel VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A LOVELY USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A Power Search review revealed very few examples that combine both choice centering and a light cancel. With 1988 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80, SMQ price $2,400.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3378

$5.00 Dark Green (Scott 263). Original gum, wide margins and intense color, natural gum creases or wrinkles, small light corner crease, otherwise Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2013, Sale 1050, Lot 397

United States 1894-95 Bureau Issues 1894 $5 dark green, well centered with wide margins, beautiful color, original gum, h.r., almost v.f., with 1990 and 2005 PFCs (the former stating “previously hinged”, the latter “slightly disturbed o.g.”)

Cherrystone Auctions, Apr 2014, Sale 201404, Lot 75

U.S. General Issues, 1894, $5 Dark Green, #263, o.g., “reperfed at right and lower right corner perf added”, Fine appearance, PSAG (2014) cert. Scott $4,500. Estimate $600-700.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2014, Sale 102, Lot 1896

1894, $5 dark green. O.g., lightly hinged, wide margins, deep intense color, fresh and Very Fine, a scarce mint high value. Scott No. 263; $4,500.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 2261

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Original gum, wide balanced margins, beautiful color on bright paper, full perforations all around EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. With 1987 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1013, Lot 323

U.S.; General Issues, 1894, $2 Bright Blue, #262. O.g., Fine to Very Fine for this, PSAG (2012) cert. Scott $2,750. Estimate price $750-850.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1373

$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

1894, $2 bright blue (262), expertly regummed, nicely centered with awesome color and detailed impression, quite elusive in this premium quality, Very Fine. Scott $1,000 for no gum. Estimate price $600 – 800.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2013, Sale 640, Lot 229

$2.00 Bright Blue (Scott 262). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color on bright paper, unusually wide margins EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. Scarce with such wide margins. With 2014 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2014, Sale 1077, Lot 193

Scott #262, $2.00 Bright blue, bright fresh color and a sharp detailed impression, o.g., light h.r., fine example of this unwatermarked high value Bureau issue.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2015, Sale 150, Lot 127

$1.00 Black, Ty. II (Scott 261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade on fresh paper, well-centered EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE LIGHTLY-HINGED ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE. With 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 590

$1.00 Black, Ty. II (Scott 261A). Mint N.H., intense shade, proof-like impression showing every little detail of the engraving, choice centering with wide margins VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. Collectors of this issue know that it is extremely difficult to find the first Bureau issue in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note contract expired. With 1999 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4150

1894, $1 black, type II (261A), disturbed o.g., attractive appearing example of this scarce stamp, with rich prooflike color; light crease along lower left corner, otherwise Very Fine. Scott $2,100. Estimate $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 1093

1894, $1 black, type II (Scott 261A), bottom plate number single, o.g., lightly hinged, a most impressive example of this scarce stamp with an incredible depth of color, a rare plate single with choice centering and sharp impression, Fine to Very Fine, 2013 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $2,100. Estimate value $1,500 – 2,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 652, Lot 404

USA (Scott 261A) 1894 PERRY $1 BLACK TYPE II Extremely fine centering. Light circular datestamp cancel. (1993 PSE Cert #22053) Cat price $825.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 524

United States 1894-97 Bureau Issues 1894 $1 black, type II, well centered, l.h., fresh and v.f., with 2005 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Jul 2015, Sale 201507, Lot 65

1894, $1 black, type I (Scott 261), o.g., previously hinged, handsome large margined example with impressive deep color, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,000 Estimate $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 383

1894, $1 black, type I (Scott 261), o.g., lightly hinged, the quintessential example of this difficult stamp, virtually perfectly centered with beautifully balanced margins, Jet-Black color on lily white paper, they just don’t come much better than this and a highlight of the Weston collection, Extremely Fine, 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott $1,000. Estimate $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 177

1894, $1 black, type I (Scott 261), o.g., never hinged, lovely example in pristine mint condition; a true condition rarity, as it looks like it was just broken out of a fresh sheet; immaculate both front and reverse with three equal margins, Very Fine for this. Scott $3,150. Estimate $1,500 – 2,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2014, Sale 650, Lot 2601

USA (Scott 261) 1894 PERRY $1 BLACK TYPE I Fresh, fine, original gum, previously hinged. (1970 PF Cert #34,006) Cat price $1000.

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 970

50c Orange (Scott 260). Original gum, wide margins with choice centering, fresh, vivid color, Extremely Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2011, Sale 1011, Lot 616

50c Orange (Scott 260). Mint N.H., bright color, attractive centering, natural gum wrinkle at left center, otherwise Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VG-F 60)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 586

50c Orange (Scott 260). Bottom imprint and plate no. 75 block of six, original gum, perf separations reinforced with small slivers of Scotch tape which has unfortunately bled thru to front, causing stains in four small areas, typical 1894 Bureau perforations, clear margins to touching right pair FINE CENTERING AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1894 30-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. Lewis Kaufman records fewer than ten plate blocks of this issue. We have not offered another example since at least 1993. The tape stains on this plate block rarity are tragic and date back to the days when people were ignorant of the long-term effects of Scotch-brand tape adhesive.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1570

50c Orange (Scott 260). Original gum, barely hinged, nearly perfectly centered, vivid color, Extremely Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1257

USA (Scott 260) 1894 JEFFERSON 50¢ ORANGE (PSE GRADED 80 JUMBO) Fresh and bright, original gum, lightly hinged, very fine Jumbo. (2014 PSE Graded Cert #01290182, VF 80J, Mint OGph ) (SMQ value $540)

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 968

15c Dark Blue (Scott 259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4147

15c Dark Blue (Scott 259). Exceptionally rich color on bright paper, balanced margins, neat cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $300.00), this stamp is difficult to find in the higher grades, only three stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report have been graded higher

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3582

10c Dark Green (Scott 258). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful wide margins and vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1007, Lot 2496

10c Dark Green (Scott 258). Mint N.H. with plate no. 55 selvage at top, brilliant color, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4146

1894, 10¢ dark green (Scott 258), o.g., never hinged (faint pencil notation on gum), desirable example of this notoriously difficult stamp, rarely offered in such pristine mint condition; a couple unpunched perforations along left and right sides don’t detract from this difficult stamp, Very Fine, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $900. Estimate price $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2014, Sale 650, Lot 2599

8c Violet Brown (Scott 257). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, rich color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, May 2013, Sale 1044, Lot 206

1894, 6¢ dull brown (Scott 256), o.g., never hinged, beautiful rich color, immaculate mint example in pristine condition, Fine to Very Fine, 2010 p.S.E. certificate graded F-VF-75. Scott $475 Estimate $250 – 350.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 380

6c Dull Brown (Scott 256). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color on bright paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ price $575.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 236

256, 1894 6c Dull brown,fresh color, NH, shorter perf at left, Very Fine (Scott price $475) 

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1284

1894, 5¢ chocolate, imperf horizontally (255c), vertical pair rich, warm color and lightly hinged original gum light natural gum wrinkles at top fresh and Fine. Scott $4,000 Expertization: 2007 PSE Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2011, Sale 338, Lot 1883

1894, 5¢ chocolate (Scott 255), choice top margin plate no. 163 single, Post Office fresh and choice example, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine. Scott $325. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1169

5c Chocolate (Scott 255). Original gum, barely hinged, wide and well-proportioned margins, beautiful bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3746

4c Dark Brown (Scott 254). Mint N.H. with part imprint and extra wide selvage at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, ex Hoffman, with 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4142