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Sale 83: Gems of Philately

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Postal Stationery with the Bobbitt Collection of the 1893 Columbian Stationery

Lots 339-348 Lots 349-358 Lot 359

Lot 339    

Envelope, 1853, 3¢ red, die 1, Horizontal Laid Lines and Horizontal Watermark, red "G. Nesbitt N.Y." seal on backflap, entire cancelled by two strikes of "Way" handstamps, red "New Orleans La Nov 25" cds to Messrs. Hardie & Co., New Orleans La.; sealed tear at top from opening, otherwise Very Fine. UPSS No. 2a.
Scott No. U1 var.    Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE EARLY FIRST-ISSUE NESBITT ENTIRE WITH HORIZONTAL WATERMARK AND NESBITT SEAL, BEFORE PRODUCTION WAS CHANGED TO DIAGONAL LAYOUT.

In a Feb. 18th 2002 Linn's article by Richard B. Graham, he states that this variety "is really the first U.S. stamped envelope" as it precedes issuance of the diagonally watermarked entires. The paper from which envelopes were cut had watermarked laid lines and the watermark horizontally across the sheet. The first few printings permitted 12 envelopes to be cut from a single sheet of paper, with the watermarks running horizontally across the face of the envelopes. George Nesbitt soon realized that if the envelopes were laid out in 45 degree angles from the top left to bottom right of the sheet of paper, 15 envelopes per sheet would result. However, the watermark's in this configuration showed diagonally across the face of an envelope.

Realized: $1,100

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Lot 340    

Envelope, 1893, 1¢ Columbian, Trial Color Proofs, group of three size 11 entires (159 x 94mm) comprising green, black and unlisted red violet; each with trivial adhesive at left edge only, Very Fine and rare group, ex-Barkhausen (backstamp). Scott No. U348TC.
Undersander No. E94B    $2,700.

The dies show the Meridian at back of Columbus' head and do not show a period after "Cent".


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Realized: $3,750

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Lot 341    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Pencil Drawing Essays, collection of 11 different hand-drawn essays on thick card believed to be done by Henry Mitchell, a few with manuscript numbers at lower left including "#1", "#3" and "#6", Very Fine, ex-Barkhausen. Scott No. U349E.
Undersander No. E95    Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.

AN EXCEPTIONAL SET OF 11 HAND-DRAWN ESSAYS FOR THE 1893 COLUMBIAN STATIONERY ISSUE.

Realized: $20,000

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Lot 342    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Type 1, group of 9 different comprising E95Da, E95Db (two) in slightly different shades, E95Dc, E95d var. unlisted with Morgan Linen watermark, E95i, E95j, E95k (stained), and E95i var. unlisted 142x111m with "Standard" watermark, Very Fine and rare group of essays, ex-Marcus White. Scott No. U349E.
Undersander No. E95D    $7,650+.

The type 1 essay die shows very wide wings of eagle extended well into circular frame, there are no side ornaments, and with meridian and period after cents.

Approval for production of United States Columbian Postal Stationery was made on December 5, 1892. The contractors, Morgan Envelope Company, were instructed to prepare die designs as soon as practical. Various types of essays, printed on various types of paper, were prepared and submitted to the Postmaster General on December 30, 1892. The essays here were submitted on December 30, 1892.


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Realized: $2,500

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Lot 343    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Violet on White Type 2 Essay with Specimen Corner Card, 133 x 108mm entire, "Morgan's Artistic Linens" watermark, manuscript "F. 2" index number, Very Fine and rare, ex-Marcus White. Scott No. U349E.
Undersander No. E95Eb    $1,100.

The type 2 essay die shows wings of eagle extended only a little way into circular frame, there are no side ornaments, and with meridian and period after cents.

Realized: $850

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Lot 344    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Black on White Type 3 Essay, two 150 x 95mm entires, one with violet "Specimen" corner card and one without, intense rich color, "Morgan's Artistic Linens" watermark, Very Fine and rare pair, ex-Marcus White. Scott Nos. U349E.
Undersander Nos. E95Fb, d    $1,600.

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Realized: $800

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Lot 345    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Violet on White Type 3 Essay with "Specimen" Corner Card, 133 x 108mm entire, "Morgans Artistic Linens" watermark, manuscript "B. 1" index number, Very Fine and rare, ex-Marcus White. Scott No. U349E.
Undersander No. E95Fa    $800.

The type 3 essay die shows tips of wings broad, at left, four feathers instead of two, project into the circular frame. Rays of side ornaments are longer than adopted design, and with meridian and period after cents.

Realized: $475

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Lot 346    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Black on White Type 4 Essay, 133 x 108mm entire, "Morgans Artistic Linens" watermark, no corner card, Very Fine. Scott No. U349E.
Undersander No. E95Ga    $800.

Type 4 essay die similar to adopted design but rays of side ornaments are shorter. There is meridian and period after cents.

Realized: $525

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Lot 347    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, Brown on White Trial Color Proof, 85 x 149mm entire, watermark 11, manuscript "#1" index number, unused 2¢ Columbian #232 affixed below endicia, Very Fine and unique, ex-Barkhausen, M. White. Scott No. U349TC.
Undersander No. E95I var.    Estimate $500 - 750.

Realized: $525

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Lot 348    

Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, with purple C.H. Mekeel Stamp and Publishing Co. corner card and cancelled by slightly indistinct but discernible "Saint Louis, Mo. Mar 18" First Day duplex to Baltimore Md., clear "Baltimore, Md., Rec'd, Mar 20 93" arrival backstamp, Very Fine. UPSS No. 1151.
Scott No. U349    Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED FIRST DAY OF ISSUE USAGES OF THE 1893 COLUMBIAN STATIONERY ISSUE.

Realized: $1,000

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Lots 339-348 Lots 349-358 Lot 359

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