Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, radiant color, neat strike of grid cancel struck so Franklin's eye is clearly visible between bars of the gridEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Brookman notes "The color of the stamp makes it difficult to find nicely cancelled copies and, since the stamp is rarely found well-centered, a truly superb copy is most difficult to find." This is confirmed by the P.S.E. Population Report. Of the 148 graded copies in all categories (used, part gum, OG and NH), only five have graded higher than a 95 (three used at 95J, one used at 98, one NH at 95J).
With 1994 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,300.00 as 95, $3,200.00 as 98). Only one used copy has graded higher to date (at 98) and only two other used stamps share this grade.
2c Brown (113). Intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of rosette cancel at left leaves design clearly visible, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, the 2c is difficult to obtain in such choice condition, with 1996 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Wide margins, beautiful color and impression, bold strike of red cork cancel and part of circular datestamp at upper left, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Dr. Morris, with 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00)
3c Ultramarine on Gray Paper, Without Grill (114a var). Horizontal strip of three, distinctive deep shade on gray paper without any grill, tied by unusual geometric cancels on piece with "Brooklyn Ct. Apr. 27" (1870) circular datestamp, part of address at bottom links this piece to the Fuller correspondence, single pulled perf at rightFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF THREE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON GRAY PAPER AND WITHOUT GRILL.
This well-documented strip is mostly detached from the piece, which allows for examination of the thick molasses gum that is one of the characteristics of this rare variety. The 3c Gray Paper and 3c Without Grill stamps were apparently distributed in the first quarter of 1870 and a large percentage of surviving copies are found on covers mailed by insurance companies in New England (such as the Fuller correspondence).
Ex Sheriff and Coulter. With 1978 and 2006 P.F. certificates. The without grill variety on gray paper is unlisted in Scott.
3c Ultramarine, Double Impression (114d). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, also with prominent pre-printing paperfold, light strike of cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleFINE. THIS IS THE LISTING COPY AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DRAMATIC WITH THE PRE-PRINTING PAPERFOLD, WHICH DID NOT RECEIVE PART OF EITHER IMPRESSION.
Our list of double impressions is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put on the press a second time, when it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
The sheet from which this stamp originated went through the press twice, and, in both cases, the pre-printing paperfold was left unfolded, resulting in an area without either impression printed.
With 2006 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine, Printed on Both Sides (114e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, parts of two stamps printed at bottom, s.e. at right, cork cancel, small corner crease at top rightFINE APPEARANCE. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ARE KNOWN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES AND THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other.
Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of this variety is known, and the impression on back is considerably weaker than the one on the stamp offered here. It is illustrated below.
Illustrated in Jonathan Rose's 1869 book where described as the only example known. With 2009 P.F. certificate.
6c Ultramarine (115). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo balanced margins, radiant color on bright paper, neat strike of unusual Geometric cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL. RARE WITH SUCH JUMBO MARGINS. AN UNBELIEVABLY HUGE STAMP.
With 1997 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow (116). Beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color, bold strike of segmented cork cancel and trace of red cancel at right (possibly frame of German transit), Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, scarce with such wide margins, with 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $400.00 as 90, $850.00 as 95 with no premium for the red cancel)
12c Green (117). Rich color and proof-like impression, bold strike of cork cancel and also part of red transit cancel at right, perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2007 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Beautiful centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, radiant colors and crisp impressions, neat strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1980 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Unusually choice centering, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat strike of target cancel at bottom leaves entire design clearly visible, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH WIDE MARGINS, AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL AND FRESH COLOR.
With 1988 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
24c Green & Violet (120). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, unobtrusive strike of circle of wedges cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so the example offered here.
With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,100.00). Only four have graded higher to date (the highest at 98).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with wide margins all around, bold strike of circle of wedges cork cancel (looks similar to the cancel used at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai), Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1996 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Brilliant colors and crisp impressions, very lightly cancelled leaving entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WITH BRIGHT COLORS, CHOICE CENTERING AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCELLATION. EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
These high-denomination stamps were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. They were often heavily cancelled by postal clerks to make sure they were not reused. The example offered here is the rare exception to the rule.
Ex Argentum. With 1983 and 2009 P.F. certificates.