Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c-50c Trans-Mississippi (285-291). Unused set to the 50c including extra 2c and two extra 4c, mostly original gum with 1c Mint N.H., one 4c regummed and another 4c no gum, 50c regummed, attractive centering and margins, mostly Very Fine
1c, 2c Trans-Mississippi (285-286). Top imprint and plate no. blocks of four, both well-centered and fresh, 1c plate no. 607, Mint N.H. with slightly short gum at top, Very Fine, 2c plate no. 658, original gum, lightly hinged, Very Fine
4c Orange, Trans-Mississippi (287). Bottom imprint and plate no. 634 block of four, original gum, bottom stamps Mint N.H., bright color, well-centered, Very Fine
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Top imprint and plate no. 618 block of four, original gum, top stamps Mint N.H., bottom stamps and selvage h.r., some perf separations between top left stamps and selvage, still Very Fine
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (289a). Original gum, with horizontal guide line, deep rich color, well-balanced margins, light horizontal bend at center
VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY, WHICH IS THE ONLY MAJOR ERROR OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
According to the Neil-Rosenthal book (pp. 115-118), one pane of 50 was discovered by Robert Watts, a stamp clerk at one of the sales windows at the Philadelphia General Post Office, who found it between the wrapping paper of a bundle of stamps. He sold it for double face value ($8.00) to Herman Lewis, a locksmith in Philadelphia. Lewis soon sold it to William S. F. Pierce, who broke it into three pieces: a vertical strip of ten with sheet margin and full arrow at right, a vertical block of 20 containing both plate blocks, and a vertical block of 20 with natural straight edge at left. Each of these multiples has since been broken.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate.
Certificate
2002 PSE No. 00075446 View Cert
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Bottom imprint and plate no. 609 block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, couple short perfs at lower right of selvage only are of no consequence, Fine-Very Fine
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Top imprint and plate no. 620 block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered throughout, Very Fine and choice, a lovely "Dead Horse" plate block
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum which has been redistributed in one part at left to cover a thin spot, very choice centering, appears Extremely Fine, with clear 1974 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1974 PF No. 45496 View Cert
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Slightly disturbed original gum, wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, rich color, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1984 PF No. 0136449 View Cert
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum which is slightly mount disturbed, excellent centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1979 PF No. 75131 View Cert