Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c-$5.00 Columbian (230-241, 243-245). Nearly complete unused set with extras of many, all values present except missing $2.00, original gum on the lower values and mostly regummed on the dollar values (noted below), includes four 2c with Broken Frame and Broken Hat varieties (latter Mint N.H.), three 4c, three 6c with shade variety, the dollar values include two $1.00 (regummed), two $3.00 (regummed), two $4.00 (regummed) and two $5.00 (one regummed and one disturbed original gum), condition is generally fresh with a couple minor problems, overall Fine-Very Fine or appear so, with many in the latter category, five certificates accompany
2c Brown Violet, Columbian, Imperforate (231P5, formerly 231b). Vertical pair, unused (no gum), large margins all around, faulty with sealed tears, Very Fine appearance and rare, one ungummed damaged sheet was discovered in New York City in 1900, Scott value is for a pair with "minimal faults"
2c Brown Violet, Columbian, Imperforate (231P5, formerly 231b). Vertical pair, unused (regummed), full to large margins all around, couple minor creases and tiny tear at top left — actually better condition than others we have encountered, Very Fine appearance and rare, one ungummed damaged sheet was discovered in New York City in 1900, Scott value is for a pair with "minimal faults"
1c, 2c Columbian (230-231). Plate blocks of six and ten respectively, 1c bottom imprint and plate no. 149, original gum, h.r. reinforcing some perf separations, some minor creasing, otherwise Very Fine, 2c top right corner selvage imprint, plate no. 64 and letter "O", original gum, h.r. on left pair and in gummed selvage, other stamps Mint N.H., Very Fine, an attractive large plate block
3c Green, Columbian (232). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of eight, rich color, natural gum wrinkle, Very Fine
4c Ultramarine, Columbian (233). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 19 and letter "D" block of eight, faint trace of hinging on ungummed part of selvage only, bright color, fresh and Very Fine
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum which is very slightly disturbed, the more intense of the two error shades, fresh and bright paper, well-centered with enormously wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. A PHENOMENAL STAMP.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Ex Zoellner and "Golden Oak". With 1984, 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
4c Blue, Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color, nicely centered for this challenging error
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 1958 P.F. certificate.
5c Chocolate, Columbian (234). Top imprint and plate no. 8 block of six, original gum, deep color, some reinforced perf separations at middle right, Very Fine
6c Purple, Columbian (235). Bottom imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, original gum, bottom row Mint N.H., bright color, Very Fine
8c Magenta, Columbian (236). Top imprint, plate no. 133 and letters "I I" block of eight, original gum, barely hinged, fresh and Very Fine
10c Black Brown, Columbian (237). Bottom imprint, plate no. 99 and letter "Y" block of eight, original gum with some slight disturbances and a couple toned spots, one shows thru in perfs between bottom right pair, well-centered, appears Very Fine
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian (242). Horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and attractive centering, horizontal crease at bottom of left stamp extends part way into right stamp, Very Fine appearance, with 1978 P.F. certificate for a block of four, Scott value as singles
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, deep rich color, well-centered with wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1986 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Pale Aniline Rose, Columbian (244a var). Original gum, brilliant color in this sub-shade, three wide margins and well clear at bottom, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate