Sale 1391 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 13-15 October, 2026
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
1894-98 Bureau Issues Balance (247/282). 25 original-gum stamps on stock cards, the majority are Mint N.H., a few previously hinged or disturbed gum, mostly well-centered and sound though there are a few small problems noted on our spreadsheet, overall Very Fine-Extremely Fine, the vast majority accompanied by certificates with some more than one, see our website PDF for scans of the stamps, certificates and a list of Scott numbers, gum condition and comments, Scott value exceeds $5,000
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., couple small natural gum skips, Jumbo margins and precise centering, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 113 block of six, vivid color, well-centered throughout, Very Fine and choice, a premium quality wide top plate block, from the Nathanael Greene collection
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with wide margins, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1993 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Original gum, accompanying certificate state Mint N.H. but we believe a tiny gum disturbance knocks it out of that category, well-centered with bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H., Scott value as hinged
2c Scarlet, Ty. II (251a). Mint N.H., lovely color in the Scarlet shade, wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE II 1894 ISSUE IN THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE SCARLET SHADE.
Ex "El Dorado". With 2007 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85). As an indication of rarity, P.S.E. has certified only two Mint N.H. (the other at 95J) and two hinged (graded 85 and 90) examples of this shade. SCV $1,175.
(Image Magnifier)3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., lovely crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85), SCV $375
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually choice centering, dark color and detailed impression
VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE RARE UNWATERMARKED 5-CENT 1894 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY, SCOTT 255C.
It is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office. The unique unused imprint and plate number block of nine, ex Col. Green and "Whitpain" (Sale 977, lot 325) also originated from this find.
Small backstamp. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
The 15c 1890 stamp is, in our opinion, one of the most striking designs of the Gilded Age regular issues. Its distinctive three-quarter portrait of Henry Clay is elegantly framed and printed in an extraordinarily deep shade of Indigo Blue. The beauty of the issue is enhanced in examples such as this stamp, which provides a balanced frame of white margins around the design. Further endowed with Mint N.H. gum and unusual freshness, this stamp ranks among the very finest in existence.
Ex "El Dorado". With 1999 and 2004 P.F. certificates and 2005 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (one at 95J, realized $15,500 in 2025, and one at 98, we have never offered it). This is also the only example to achieve the grade of XF-Superb 95.
(Image Magnifier)$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, well-balanced margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, couple perfs at top and one at lower right with slight gum soak on tips, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with clear 2005 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, well-centered but reperfed at left, light gum crease, otherwise Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, light natural gum bend, Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, barely hinged, deep rich color, well-centered but reperfed at right, appears Very Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, G 30), obviously significantly downgraded for the reperfing
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich color, Fine, SCV $4,000
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Unused (regummed), well-centered but achieved by reperfing on two sides, appears Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate, Scott value as no gum
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Block of four with wide right part arrow selvage, original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, beautiful centering almost unheard of for a block of this issue
FRESH AND VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM PART-ARROW MARGIN BLOCK OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST BLOCKS IN EXISTENCE.
A review using Power Search demonstrates the rarity of Scott 263 in block form with choice centering. This part-arrow block, with perfs well clear all around in each stamp, is easily one of the finest known.
With 1970 P.F. and 2021 P.S.E. certificates. From our 1969 Rarities of the World sale where this block realized almost double the then-current Scott value.
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 122 selvage, Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 300 block of six, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine and attractive, from the Nathanael Greene collection
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 103 selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb position single, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex "Vaquero", with 2011 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only three grade higher (at 98)
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H., extra wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H., choice centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Uncharacteristically wide margins, cancelled by a blue straightline numeral, Very Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo), SCV $950
8c Violet Brown, Imperforate (272P5; formerly 272b). Mint N.H. horizontal pair, large to huge margins including bottom right corner sheet margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate as No. 272b
10c Dark Green, Imperforate (273P5; formerly 273a). Horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, even margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate as No. 273a
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1993 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85), SCV $600
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, well-centered, Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (275). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 75 selvage, vibrant color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Dr. Killien, "Golden Oak" and "Vaquero", with 1998 P.F., 2006 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80), in our opinion this is undergraded
50c Orange (275). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully balanced margins, strong color with just a hint of oxidation, still Extremely Fine, ex Floyd, with clear 1988 (copy for block of four) and 1993 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, wide and beautifully balanced margins, intense shade on bright white paper
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE II 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1983 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Ty. I, II (276-276A). Wide selvage bottom imprint and plate no. 76 strip of three, left stamp Ty. I, other two stamps Ty. II, all three stamps Mint N.H., previously hinged in selvage where perf separations sensibly reinforced, intense shade and impression
VERY FINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE $1.00 TYPES I-II 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WITH THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
The plate of the $1.00 1894-95 Bureau Issue consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs—between the fifth and sixth rows of the right pane.
Mint N.H. examples of Scott 276A are scarce. We have offered perhaps a dozen unduplicated singles plus a few in multiples since keeping computerized records, and several were off-center. We are surprised this multiple has remained intact.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex "New Amsterdam" and "Vaquero". With 2019 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates. Scott value as singles.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, deep rich color on bright paper, essentially perfect centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING JUMBO-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER AND NO OTHERS SHARE THIS GRADE.
The $2.00 Watermarked issue (Scott 277) was issued in significantly greater quantities than its unwatermarked counterpart (10,027 of Scott 262 versus 31,720 of Scott 277). However, the watermarked $2.00 is nearly as difficult to find with superior centering and Jumbo margins. Only three original gum Scott 277's are graded 95J or higher, with one each at 95J, 98J (offered here) and 100 (Sale 1034, lot 260). For Scott 262 the population size in the highest grades is similar, with three at 95J, which is the highest grade awarded.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Gross. With 1991 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, Superb 98; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $5,250 as 98 and $12,500 as 100).
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, h.r., pretty shade, fresh and Very Fine, small blue backstamp, with 1999 and 2017 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, deep rich color approaching the Dark Blue shade, well-balanced margins, reperfed, Extremely Fine appearance
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Slightly disturbed original gum, intense dark shade, well-centered, Very Fine and choice
$2.00 Dark Blue, Imperforate (277P5; formerly 277b). Horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, full even margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate as No. 277b
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged in corner, choice centering with balanced margins, very slight climatic toning is not obvious but evident in margins with examination, appears Extremely Fine, with clear 2002 P.F. certificate showing no evidence of the climatic exposure
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED 5-CENT 1898 BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate no longer accompanies (was graded 95). With 2025 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and six share this lofty grade. The last two we have offered both realized more than the current SMQ value.
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 407 and half arrow strip of ten, representing the full top row of the left pane of the sheet, deep rich color, Fine-Very Fine, this originates from an old-time holding of blocks and strips of early Bureau issues that were purchased at the post office and then stored away in the dark for generations, as such the color is exceptionally fresh, Scott value as imprint and plate number strip of three plus singles
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 925 and half arrow strip of ten, representing the full top row of the right pane of the sheet, deep rich color, minor wrinkling in selvage at far right is immaterial, Fine-Very Fine and scarce, this originates from an old-time holding of blocks and strips of early Bureau issues that were purchased at the post office and then stored away in the dark for generations, as such the color is exceptionally fresh, Scott value as imprint and plate number strip of three plus singles
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 519 and half arrow strip of ten, representing the full bottom row of the left pane of the sheet, deep rich color, left stamp two natural gum skips, natural thin gum line thru five stamps at right
FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF TEN OF THE 1898 10-CENT BROWN TYPE I, SCOTT 282c.
This originates from an old-time holding of blocks and strips of early Bureau issues that were purchased at the post office and then stored away in the dark for generations. The pieces of that holding, kept away from light and hinge wielding collectors, are extremely fresh, with brilliant colors. Mint N.H. multiples of Scott 282C are very rare. Power Search does not list a Mint N.H. block of any size, and we have offered only three Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strips — each a strip of three.
Scott value as imprint and plate number strip of three plus singles.
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., deep rich color, nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80), SCV $525
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, rich color, wide margins at top and bottom, Very Fine, with copy of 1989 P.F. certificate for a strip and with 1991 P.F. certificate as this single
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., well-centered with rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates