Lot
1867 
1883 Special Printing, 2¢ pale red brown, imperf between, top margin block of 4 with part "(Steamer -) American Ban(k Note Co.)" imprint, full o.g., attractively centered, rich radiant color on bright fresh paper, light crease in top left stamp and some selvage hinge reinforcements, otherwise Very Fine; with 1971 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 211Bc $4,000 for pairs.
ONE OF FIVE MULTIPLES OF THE 1883 2¢ SPECIAL PRINTING IMPERFORATE BETWEEN BEARING ALL OR PORTIONS OF THE "STEAMER - AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO." STEAM PRESS IMPRINT.
Lot
1868 ()
4¢ Deep Blue Green, 1883 Special Printing, without gum as issued, deep intense color indicative of this issue, exceptional centering and beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a wonderful example of this extremely rare Special Printing issue; signed S. Anderson, with 1946, 1992 and 2013 P.F. certificates, the later Graded (VF-XF 85, SSV $87,500). Scott No. 211D $65,000.
WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1883 4¢ AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE.
This Special Printing is from a trial printing by a new steam-powered American Bank Note Co. press. Approximately 1,000 of these stamps (in sheets of 200 with an imperforate gutter between panes of 100) were delivered as samples to the Third Assistant Postmaster General and subsequently made their way to the public market.
Official Postal records show that twenty six examples of this Special Printing where issued. The Philatelic Foundation has certified all but one of these. Out of the mere twenty five that has been certified, five examples are recorded with small flaws.