The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues continued...

**1895-98 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278) continued...**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
337		$5.00 Dark Green (278). Mint N.H. with plate no. 85 at bottom, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on fresh paper, perfect centering with long full perfs all around EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN INCOMPARABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE TO DATE. A REMARKABLE STAMP THAT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE UPON. The $5.00 watermarked Bureau issue is an exceedingly rare stamp in sound, well-centered Mint N.H. condition. We have offered only four singles plus a plate number and imprint strip of three since keeping computerized records. This stamp is without question the finest Mint N.H. example extant. With 1994 P.F. certificate for a strip of three, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest graded example in the P.S.E. Population Report. The next highest grade for a Mint N.H. stamp is 85 (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	7,500.00 SOLD for $65,000.00 Will close during Public Auction