Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue (Scott 246-284)
1c-2c 1894-98 Bureau Issues (246, 248, 279, 279B). Four plate blocks of six, original gum, first with h.r. and last Mint N.H. (with gum crease), attractive centering and margins, Very Fine
2c Pink, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (248a). Original gum, bright color, centered to left with wide margins other sides
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE 1894 BUREAU ISSUE ERROR. ONLY FOUR PAIRS AND A BLOCK OF FOUR ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS THE ONLY CONFIRMED AS SOUND.
Our census at https://siegelauctions.com/resources/census/us/scott/248a contains four pairs and one block of four. One pair is known only from a 1950 Harmer, Rooke sale. One is known only from a 1943 Col. Green sale. We offered the block in our 2009 auction of the "Whitpain" collection and a different pair in another 2009 auction. Both of those items had small faults. This sound and choice pair was featured in our 1965 Rarities sale.
With 1999 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
2c Pink, Ty. I, Imperforate (248 var). Original gum, small h.r., huge margins to clear including sheet margin at left, brilliant color, light natural gum wrinkles, small thin spot
VERY FINE APPEARING AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT PINK IMPERFORATE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
Ex "Whitpain". With 1978 P.F. certificate. Unlisted in Scott.
Certificate
1978 PF No. 68979 View Cert
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Imperforate (251 var). Part disturbed original gum, huge margins to just touched at bottom including sheet margin at left, bright color, few flaws (accompanying certificate states "defective"), Fine appearance, a rare variety which is unlisted in Scott, this is the only example we have offered since keeping computerized records, ex "Whitpain", with 1981 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1981 PF No. 100728 View Cert
2c Rose, Ty. I (250a). Mint N.H., vivid color, outstanding centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2001 PF No. 0372309 View Cert
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Original gum, slight "gum crazing" noted on most recent certificate, well-centered with bright color, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85), Scott value $425
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., bright color, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice
Certificate
2004 PSE No. 00122473 View Cert
3c Purple (253). Bottom imprint and plate no. 103 block of six, original gum, h.r., well-centered with rich color, Very Fine
3c-10c 1894-95 Bureau Issue, Imperforate (253P5-255P5, 273P5). Three horizontal pairs, 3c with left sheet margin, original gum except No. 273P5 no gum, Very Fine group, two with older P.F. certificates
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with wide margins at top and bottom, fresh color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE PAIR OF THE RARE UNWATERMARKED 5-CENT 1894 BUREAU ISSUE, IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
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 block of nine with imprint and plate number, ex Col. Green and "Whitpain" (Sale 977, lot 325), also originated from this find.
Ex Sheriff and Blumenkopf. With 1972 and 1992 P.F. certificates.
6c Dull Brown, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (256a). Original gum, reinforced on gum side to address a heavy broken crease or split, running diagonally thru the top stamp and into margin of bottom stamp, otherwise Fine and scarce, Brookman notes that the source of this error is likely a Western post office, most examples we have encountered are centered to the left to varying degrees
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H., beautifully balanced margins, single short perf at upper right, Very Fine and choice, ex Dr. Killien, with 1994 and 2000 P.F. certificates, the former for a block and the latter for single with top right corner selvage (the removal of the selvage was done poorly, resulting in the short perf at upper right), with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), undoubtedly downgraded due to the short perf, Scott value $850
Certificate
2006 PSE No. 01043015 Graded 85 View Cert
2000 PF No. 0351296 View Cert
1994 PF No. 0281615 View Cert
10c Green, Imperforate (258P5, formerly 258a). Horizontal pair, original gum, large to huge margins, Extremely Fine, ex Floyd, with 1993 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1993 PF No. 0273018 View Cert
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., absolutely massive margins all around and outstanding centering, light horizontal crease at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance and a stunning stamp, with 2007 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2007 PF No. 457813 View Cert
50c Orange (260). Original gum, bright color and well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85), Scott value $475
Certificate
2004 PSE No. 00122474 Graded 85 View Cert
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, barely hinged, well-balanced margins, there is a nibbed perf at top which was intact but possibly weak when it was certified and is not reflected on the accompanying certificate, appears Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $1,875), this will not re-grade at 90 due to the top perf, Scott value $1,000
Certificate
2007 PSE No. 01153249 Graded 90 View Cert
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, barely hinged, intense shade and well-centered with wide margins, tiny natural inclusion in top right margin not mentioned on certificate
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A LOVELY WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1999 PF No. 0334803 View Cert
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, reperfed at bottom and right, otherwise Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, deep rich color, well-centered
VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate.
Certificate
2001 PSE No. 55302 View Cert
1c-$5.00 1895 Bureau Issue, Imperforate (264P5-278P5, formerly 264a-278a). Complete set of thirteen pairs, 8c with huge corner sheet margins and $1.00 with large top sheet margin and half arrow, original gum, some h.r., other pairs with full to large margins, rich colors, we note a couple tiny thin spots but overall very fresh
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Full ungummed sheets of 400 of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c 1894 Unwatermarked values were removed from the Bureau of Engraving & Printing around the time of issue. These four are the only denominations of the 1894 Unwatermarked Issue that exist imperforate. They were gummed, divided and sold to collectors.
George B. Sloane's account of the origin of the 1895 Watermarked Bureau Imperforate stamps is quoted in Brookman (Vol. III, pp. 128-129). Gilbert E. Jones, one of the owners of The New York Times, was allowed to exchange sheets of perforated stamps he bought at the post office for a set of imperforate sheets. Although the Scott Catalogue at first did not recognize the imperforate varieties, in 1916 they inserted a statement "All denominations of this issue exist imperforate but they were not regularly issued in that condition". The imperforate stamps are now listed with plate proofs.
The 8c and the three dollar values with P.F. certificates.
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 444 block of six, fresh color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. II-III (266-267). Mint N.H. horizontal combination pair, vibrant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 2003 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2003 PF No. 0405005 View Cert
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Top and bottom imprint and plate no. blocks of six, top plate no. 170, original gum, lightly hinged, Very Fine, bottom Mint N.H. plate no. 385, Very Fine
6c Claret Brown (271 var). Mint N.H., deep rich color, well-centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates, the latter stating Claret Brown (VF-XF 85 Jumbo)
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear "R" of watermark, rich color on bright paper
VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 ISSUE WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/Scott/271a, records only nine unused examples, six of which are sound. Two are in pairs with normal stamps. We also record 30 used singles plus two used multiples with the variety showing between stamps. Of the original-gum stamps, only one other, ex Whitman (271a-OG-02, Sale 968A, realized $17,250 hammer), is sound and with centering that is comparable to the stamp offered here.
Census no. 271a-OG-05. From our 2004 Rarities sale. With 1989 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1989 PF No. 0210188 View Cert
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Original gum, clear "I" of watermark completely captured by the center of the stamp
FRESH AND FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 8-CENT BUREAU ISSUE WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c with a bit more than ten unused, but many are either off-center or have flaws.
From our 1992 Rarities sale. With 1989 P.S.E. certificate.
Certificate
1989 PSE No. 12970 View Cert
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., rich color, Very Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1996 PF No. 0304981 View Cert
50c Orange (275). Original gum, bright color, beautifully centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine, ex Saadi and Zoellner, with 1984, 1988 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
Certificate
2006 PSE No. 01058383 View Cert
1988 PF No. 0196063 View Cert
1984 PF No. 0140151 View Cert
50c Red Orange (275a). Original gum, with part imprint selvage at top, fiery color, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1991 PF No. 0250792 View Cert
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering and margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Killien, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85), Scott value $600
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum which we called slightly disturbed in a prior sale but simply noted as "previously hinged" on accompanying certificate, nicely balanced margins and crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, ex Laehder, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85)
Certificate
2011 P.S.A.G. No. 0560495 Graded 85 View Cert
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum described by P.F. as "mount disturbed" but in our opinion this is overstated and it is simply lightly hinged, beautiful color and excellent centering, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2003 PF No. 0398207 View Cert
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
2003 PF No. 0399238 View Cert
2c Red, Ty. IV (279B). Left half original gum, h.r., with dramatic misprinting causing approximately half of the design to print as well as part imprint, diagonal crease where printing stops which caused the variety, Very Fine and dramatic, this is likely from the selvage of a larger misprint which no longer exists, ex "Whitpain"
2c Rose Carmine, Ty. IV (279Bc). Original gum, vivid color, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1985 PF No. 0143407 View Cert