Lot
2076 
St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 10¢ black on greenish, large margins all around, sharp detailed impression on bright greenish paper, on 1846 folded letter to Lexington, Ky. tied by manuscript "X" cancel and initialed J. M. W. by Postmaster John M. Wimer, additionally tied by red "St. Louis, Mo., Feb 10" cds with matching straight line "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "10" rate below, Extremely Fine, ex-Texas Collector, Weill; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 11X2 Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE SHOWING POSTMASTER JOHN M. WIMER INITIALS ON A ST. LOUIS BEAR PROVISIONAL. NO OTHER VALUES, ON OR OFF COVER, ARE KNOWN SHOWING THE POSTMASTER'S INITIALS.
John M. Wimer was the postmaster who issued the 5¢, 10¢ and 20¢ Bear, who also served the city as Alderman and Mayor. The plate of six subjects was engraved by J.M. Kerhsap, proprietor of the Western Card and Seal Company of St. Louis. The design of the stamps - the Missouri coat of arms held by bears at each side - was based on the Great Seal of Missouri. The seal was designed by William G. Pettus, who chose bears as a symbol of Missouri citizens' rugged durability.
Lot 2203 o
1867, 90¢ blue, F. grill, exceptional centering with wide well balanced margins, beautiful shade and impression, red cork cancel, much better formed perfs than typically encountered, an Extremely Fine gem, after reviewing all known graded examples at the P.S.E. and despite the grade attributed by the P.S.E., this is in our opinion this is the finest example, with perhaps the exception of the 90¢ Graded 100; with 1985, 1994 P.F. & 2015 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $4,850).Scott No. 101 $2,800.
A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90¢ F. GRILL, COMBINING CHOICE CENTERING, PERFORATIONS, COLOR AND A PREMIUM CANCEL.
The 90¢ stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception. The perfs are much better formed than usual (although they show the genuine characteristics) and the centering is precise. In this stamp there is also the added feature of a striking red cancel.
Lot
2160 
1860, 90¢ blue, o.g., lightly hinged, rich bold color, wonderfully centered amid large beautifully balanced margins, bright and very fresh, Extremely Fine to Superb, this being one of five original gum examples to receive this grade with none higher; with 2021 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $17,500). Scott No. 39 $3,000.
AN OUTSTANDING MINT GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 90¢ WASHINGTON ISSUE - WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Realized: $14,000
Lot
2239
1875, 5¢ blue, C.B.N.C. printing, grilled, o.g., lightly hinged, outstanding centering amid wide well balanced margins which is unheard of on this issue, fresh with rich vibrant color, full clear grill impression which does not break the paper as this grill often does, an Extremely Fine gem; with 2003 & 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott No. 179c $9,500.
WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE 1875, 5¢ CONTINENTAL GRILL ISSUE.
A review of the known examples of the 1875 5¢ grill issue shows that approximately 30-40% of these issues have grill impressions visibly breaking through the paper. Also, the majority are off centered and all but this example with narrow margins. This example with exceptional centering and wide margins is by far the finest in existence.
Realized: $9,000
Lot 2412 o
Stock Transfer, 1946, $10,000 Gresham, black "S.C.C.", "Jan 8, 1947" date stamp and cut cancels, bold bright color, faint crease at top, Very Fine appearance, one of the rarest revenue issues known, ex-Turner, Buford & Inman; with 2003 P.F. certificate.Scott No. RD234 $22,500.
AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1946 $10,000 STOCK TRANSFER ISSUE - A GREAT REVENUE RARITY WITH ONLY THREE EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO DATE.
The three known examples are all in consecutive serial numbers from this number "5134", with the others "5135" and "5136".
Realized: $18,000
Lot
2202
1867, 30¢ orange, F. grill, wonderfully fresh full o.g., neatly hinged once at top, rich brilliant color, exceptionally well centered especially for this notoriously tight margin issue, bright and wonderfully fresh, strong well-defined grill impression, Extremely Fine; with 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 100 $12,500.
A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 30¢ 1861-68 Issue is one of the most difficult classic United States classics issues to find in premium condition. The narrow spacing of the plate leaves many with perforations cutting into the design. Color is also an issue with many stamps oxidizing from the apparent high metallic content of the ink used to print this orange color. The stamp offered here with exceptional centering and post office fresh color and paper is a true condition rarity.
Lot 2411 o
Stock Transfer, 1946, $2,500 Windom, faint black cancel, choice centering and margins, strong bright color, couple staple holes with one slightly scuffing design at upper right, Very Fine appearance, one of the rarest revenue issues known, ex-Cunliffe, Handy & Floyd.Scott No. RD232 $25,000.
AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1946 $2,500 STOCK TRANSFER ISSUE - A GREAT REVENUE RARITY WITH ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO DATE.
Realized: $18,000
Lot
2255
1893, 30¢ Columbian, o.g., never hinged, deep radiantly rich color, perfect centering within evenly balanced margin all around, bright and exceptionally fresh, Superb, to date only three stamps have graded higher; with 2010 P.S.E. certificate Graded (Superb 98, SMQ $8,500). Scott No. 239 $675.
AN OUTSTANDING NEVER HINGED GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 30¢ COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Realized: $6,250
Lot
2205
1861-66 (1875 Re-issue), 24¢ dark violet, o.g., lightly hinged, rich vibrant color on bright paper, choice centering amid evenly balanced margins, Extremely Fine and choice, with only 346 sold, one of only four examples to receive this grade with only two examples higher (both at 95); with 2004 P.F. & 2007 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $12,600). Scott No. 109 $6,000.
A WONDERFUL ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24¢ RE-ISSUE, AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Lot 2405 o
Documentary, 1872, Third Issue, $1 green & black, center inverted, 1872 manuscript cancel, beautifully centered especially for this notoriously off centered issue, rich black and green colors, Extremely Fine; with 2009 P.F. certificate.Scott No. R144a $12,500 for the grade of fine.
ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE $1.00 THIRD ISSUE REVENUE INVERT. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY IN SOUND CONDITION WITH OUTSTANDING CENTERING.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records a total of 26 copies. Of these five are on one document and one is on another, leaving 20 off-cover examples. Most of these have faults or are off-center with perfs cutting on one side.
Realized: $9,000