Some Rarity "Teasers" From The Bill Gross Collection

I have no idea if they were popular, I ordered early and had no trouble acquiring my copy, The sad part is the value now is around %60, they sold for 40 more.




The book has sewn signatures.

if anybody knows: Is there a difference between paperback and hard bound? So is the content (color or b/w, paper) the same, only the binding different?

and by the way there is another auction which should not be forgotten around the Gross advertising: Wingate. I really love the content of this collection:
https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1180/1180.pdf

also special printing examples.

In the Zoellner collection there isn't the Sc. 164, so I guess in the Gross collection either. Anybody knows where it is?

Scott #164

https://www.washingtontimes.com/new...23506-3896r/

Scroll down to near the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Continental

Inasmuch as the current showing on the Siegel site is just a few highlights, I would not assume that the 164 is not in the collection. It would have to be for the complete statement to be true. It sold in 2004, when Mr Gross was buying material and the price would not have been an issue.

hello, as I supposed, your second link says: And since No. 164 has been classified as "unique," no stamp collection without it can be called "complete."

Of course Siegel had an "explanation" about the 164 in their Zoellner catalog, but where there is a Scott number, there is a stamp to collect. So it should be there in Gross collection. Of course the money is not the issue, but there are other collectors with much money.

In the last paragraph of Scott R. Treple's introduction of the 1870-75 National and Continental Bank Note Issues, he explains the absence of Scott 164 in the Zoellner collection;

" Identification of Continental stamps is difficult on certain values, such as the 90c, which is distinguished from the National printing only by the slightly brighter, rosier shade. It is impossible to separate 24c stamps by printer, because there is no identifiable secret mark or consistent shade that distinguishes the 24c Continental from National. One 24c stamp is known on ribbed paper, which was used only by Continental, and the Scott 164 listing was reinstated on the basis of this stamp. However, Scott 164 is the only listing in the Scott Catalogue that is identical to another listing, Scott 153. In other words, any 24c stamp that meets the characteristics assigned to both Scott 153 and 164. For this reason, the Zoellner collection excludes Scott 164 as a redundant listing, although the 24c ribbed paper is indeed an interesting variety."

yes, that's what I meant with "explanation". So it will be interesting to see if the Gross collection will be complete.

But 164 is on ribbed paper & 153 is not, which to my mind makes them not identical. Or am I missing something

I'm still on the fence about this whole question of the 24c Continental, I'd prefer to see evidence other than paper be the deciding factor.

The reason being, a similar situation arose in 1866-67 where two separate stamp printings by two different printing companies used paper with ribbing that came from the same source. I'm referring to the National BN Co. and Butler & Carpenter over the period of 1866-67.

The late printings of the regular stamp issue from 1866 exhibited ribbing, and shortly thereafter the US Revenue issues of 1867 began showing signs of ribbing as well. Both printers sourced paper from the same paper mill. (Note: The 1930 US Specialized was the last catalog to list the ribbing on revenue stamps.)

The situation in 1866-67 was somewhat different than 1873-74, but the precedent is there nonetheless. On that basis, one cannot entirely rule-out a 24-cent National on ribbed paper IMHO.

The 24-Cent Continental is indeed a will-o-the-wisp, but based on our current knowledge and cataloging premises it seems to deserve its separate number. If any National stamps could be identified on ribbed paper then this would have to change.

In this 2014 post on Scott 164, page 3 shows what appears to be a horizontally ribbed 24c large banknote.

https://goscf.com/t/38148&SearchTer...,Continental

I believe that the Bill Gross collection has the only certified 164 and an example of the 153.

Would the auction be open to non bidding general public?
If it happens in September in NYC, I would love to attend.

Would be a nice way to meet up with some SCF members!

Siegel Auctions are usually available via the Stamp Auction Network which provides a listen option for the auctions. I think that you may also be able to view the auction, seeing pricing, image of the stamp, etc.