Sale 1254 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 6-7 April, 2022
Category — The Mulholland Collection of Specimens - 1847 thru 1867 Issues
5c Orange, 10c Black, Plate Proofs on India, Black and Red Diagonal "Specimen" Ovpts. (1TCP3S, 2P3S). On original card backing, Very Fine, Scott value for two normal plate proofs
10c Black, Plate Proof on India, Red Diagonal "Specimen" Ovpt. (2P3S). Block of four on original card backing, full even margins, top left proof slightly broken diagonal crease, appears Very Fine, Scott value for four normal plate proofs
1c Blue, Ty. II, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (7S-A). Original gum, clear overprint, large margins at sides, touched at top and just in at bottom, small crease at bottom leftVERY FINE APPEARING AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
It has been reported that only a few examples of this "Specimen" overprint are known. However, this is the only example we have offered in at least 30 years and we have not encountered another.
3c Dull Red, Ty. I, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty A (11S-A). Original gum, h.r., large margins to clear including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, clear overprint, slight oxidationEXTREMELY FINE. THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH A "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
For the 1851 Issue, only the 1c and 3c are known and listed with "Specimen" overprint. This is the only recorded example of the 3c and the 1c is also extremely rare, with the example offered in the previous lot the only one we have handled.
Ex Jefferys and Piller. With 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Dull Red, Ty. III, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (26S-A). With period and reading horizontally at bottom, unused (no gum), small stain at upper left corner, tiny thin, still appears Fine and very rare, there are two different types of handstamped "Specimen" overprints known on the 3c 1857 Issue (Types A and F), plus a manuscript type (Type I), all are rare and the Type A offered here is one of only a few known -- we have offered one other in the last 30 years -- ex Lewenthal and Piller
12c Black, Plate 3, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (36BS-A). Original gum, couple short or pulled perfs at left, otherwise Very Fine, the Type A "Specimen" overprint is extremely rare on this issue, ex Diamond, with 1979 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac, 'Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (37S-A). Nicely centered but discolored and with some faults, reasonably attractive, since there are so very few examples to choose from condition is really not a significant factor, ex Diamond, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A. (38S-A). Slightly faded and couple small faults, otherwise Fine, as with the preceding lot, condition is really not a factor with this rare variety as there are so very few to choose from, ex Diamond, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Dull Red, Ty. III, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. F (26S-F). Position 3R24, 22mm Old English overprint with period struck diagonally reading to lower right, unused (no gum), small stain spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE TYPE OF SPECIMEN OVERPRINT ON THE 3-CENT 1857 ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
There are two different types of handstamped "Specimen" overprints known on the 3c 1857 Issue (Types A and F), plus a manuscript type (Type I). The Type A is rare with only a few known and this is the only example of the Type F we have encountered.
Ex Lewenthal, Piller and Hulme.
1c-90c 1857-60 Issue, Specimens (24, 29, 35, 36B, 37, 38, 39-S var). Set of seven stamps with magenta manuscript crossed lines, unused, mostly no gum, 24c original gum, attractive colors, a few small flaws but much better condition than the other similar set we have offered, overall Fine and scarce, most likely either presentation copies or printer's samples, 10c with 1986 A.P.S. certificate, 30c and 90c with 1989 and 1993 P.S.E. certificates mentioning small faults
1c Blue, Large Die Proof on India, "Specimen" Ovpt. in Manuscript (63P1S var). Die sunk on 115 x 136 mm card, with embossed National Bank Note Co. garter at bottom, bright color, some foxing mostly on card and not affecting stamp design, appears Very Fine, a rare large die proof with manuscript "Specimen", with 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott value as normal 63P1
3c-90c 1861 Issue, Large Die Proofs on India, "SPECIMEN" Overprint (65SP1/72SP1). Nine proofs representing seven different denominations, including normal colors of the 3c, 5c, 10c, 12c, 15c, 30c and 90c, also trial color proofs in Black of the 3c and 30c, India paper mounted on approximately 150 x 225mm cards, the "SPECIMEN" ovpts. in vermilion or black, each with "Specimen Postage Stamp from the National Bank Note Company No. 1 Wall Street New York" at bottom of card, these imprints in several different colors, a couple with very minor edge toning and 15c with some speckled toned spots, overall bright colorsVERY FINE. A SCARCE GROUP OF 1861 ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINTS AND NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY IMPRINTS, INCLUDING TWO OF THE RARER TRIAL COLORS.
These proofs originate from a salesman's sample book. Each is rare. We have offered only one complete set of all denominations of the normal colors (ex Drews, Sale 1195, lot 72), though that set lacked the two trial colors present here. Scott value as normal proofs (which are more common).
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2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India, "SPECIMEN" Overprint (73P1S). India paper mounted on 153 x 228mm card, overprint in vermilion, green "Specimen Postage Stamp from the National Bank Note Company No. 1 Wall Street New York" at bottom of card, trivial edgewearVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE DIE I LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
The original state of the Black Jack die, or Die I, does not show the star on Jackson's right cheek or the dots in the upper left scroll. Proofs pulled from this first die date to the issuance of the stamp in 1863. Die II proofs, showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, were pulled later, including probably at the time of the 1875 Re-Issue (which also shows Die II characteristics). The Die I Black Jack large die proof is extremely rare in any format or size, with our without the "Specimen" overprint. There is only one recorded full-size non-hybrid example without "Specimen" overprint. (ex Metzger and Faust). This example with the "Specimen" overprint is also quite rare, and this proof is one of only three full-size examples we have offered in 30 years.
Scott value as normal Die I proof is $10,000.00.
10c Dark Green, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A. (68S-A). Original gum, rich dark color, Fine and scarce, with 2014 P.F. certificate
90c Blue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (72S-A). With period, unused (no gum), additional tiny manuscript "X", wide margins to in at bottom, straight edge at right, light diagonal crease and small thin spot, appears Fine, very rare, ex Lewenthal and Piller
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (73S-A). Unused (no gum), centered to left, manuscript "Issued 1861" on back, small thin spot, Fine appearing and extremely rare example of the Type A "Specimen" on a Black Jack, we have offered only one other example since keeping computerized records (in our 2018 Faust sale), ex Fosdyke-Ray, with 1981 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A. (76S-A). Large part original gum, rich color, horizontal crease, appears Very Fine, a rare 5c 1861 Issue Type A Specimen, we have offered only one other unduplicated example in 30 years, with 2014 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (78S-A). Unused (no gum), additional small manuscript "X" at bottom, small stain, appears Fine, very rare, the Scott Catalogue does not list No. 78 with the Type A "Specimen" overprint, despite this certified example appearing in one of our 2005 sales, ex Piller, with 1987 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (85ES-A). Unused (no gum), intense shade, natural straight edge at right, small corner creases at top, two small holes in grill, otherwise Fine and rare, this is the only example of the 12c Z Grill with "Specimen" overprint listed in Power Search, ex Piller, with 1991 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (86S-A). Unused (no gum), tiny manuscript check mark at center, clear and sharp grill points, straight edge at left, thinned along bottom right edge and light horizontal crease, appears Fine, scarce, ex Lewenthal and Piller
30c Orange, F Grill, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (100S-A). Original gum, clearly defined grill, brilliant color, small manuscript mark at center appears to be under the overprint and may be a control mark, light diagonal crease, appears Very Fine, rare with only a few known, ex Lewenthal and "Lake Shore"
1c-90c 1861 Issue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (63S-B to 78S-B). 14 stamps, all denominations except for the 12c, with extra 1c, 3c, 5c, 10c and 90c, the extra 5c with additional row of "freak" perfs, the extra 10c in a darker shade reminiscent of Scott 62B, nearly all original gum which ranges from h.r. to disturbed, bright colors, some small flaws to be expected, Fine-Very Fine or appear so
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2c-30c 1861 Issue, "Specimen" Ovpts. Ty. B (65S-B/78S-B). Seven blocks of four, including 2c, 3c, 5c, 10c, 15c, 24c and 30c, original gum, h.r., brilliant colors, decent margins and centering with perfs just touching on some blocks, a few minor perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE GROUP OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF 1861 ISSUE STAMPS WITH "SPECIMEN" TYPE B OVERPRINTS.
Scott value for blocks (where listed) and singles.
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3c Rose, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (65S-B). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and well-centered, Very Fine, Scott value as singles
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (73S-B). Bottom imprint and plate no. 50 block of eight, original gum with a couple h.r., natural gum skip on top right stamp, some perf separations sensibly reinforced including selvage at bottom left reattachedTHE UNIQUE PLATE BLOCK FROM PLATE 50 WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT. PLATE 50 IS THE MOST ELUSIVE PLATE USED TO PRINT THE BLACK JACK ISSUES AND THIS IS THE ONLY COMPLETE PLATE BLOCK, WITH OR WITHOUT "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT. A WONDERFUL CLASSIC RARITY.
A total of seven plate numbers were used for the production of the 1863-68 Black Jack issues. Plate 50 is by far the rarest and is only known on Scott no. 73. A block of nine exists with part imprint and plate no. 50, last offered in our sale of the Faust collection in 2018 (Sale 1181, lot 1092). That is the only recorded non-"Specimen" block with Plate 50, though it is not a complete plate block. Therefore, the block offered here with "Specimen" Ty. A overprint is the only recorded complete plate block from Plate 50.
Ex Finkelburg. With 2009 P.F. certificate mentioning perf separations between positions 3-4 but not noting the bottom left selvage. Unlisted in Scott as a plate block.
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B, One Stamp Without Period (73S-B var). Block of four, bottom right stamp no period after "Specimen" variety, original gum, h.r., single short perf at top of top left stamp, Very Fine, a desirable block of four of the "Specimen" Ty. B oveprint with one stamp showing the only listed variety, ex Dr. Rorke, Metzger and Hansen, with 1982 P.F. certificate
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (73S-B). Pair with part imprint top selvage, original gum which is naturally short at top, Fine and scarce position pair, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott value as singles without premium for the position
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Red Control Number Ovpts. Ty. J (63S-J to 78S-J). Complete set of ten values, original gum, some h.r., bright colors, generally centered to one side with some showing perfs touching or in, couple small flaws and 90c with blunted perfs at rightFINE AND SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF 1861 ISSUE STAMPS WITH BOND-NUMBERING MACHINE RED CONTROL NUMBER OVERPRINTS.
As demonstrated by this set, each of the denominations of the 1861 Issue are known with sequential control number overprints, from the highest denomination to the lowest starting with the 90c "1234", 30c "2345", 24c "3456" and so on except for the 15c, which has only three numbers -- "235". Research by Michael Plett and Ken Gilbart (Chronicle Aug. 2012, pp. 214-226) solved the long-standing mystery of these specimens and determined that the overprints were applied by a bond-numbering mechanical device.
2c Black, Red Control Number "8901" Ovpt. Ty. J (73S-J). Block of four, original gum, h.r., sharp proof-like impression, fresh and Fine, the 1861-66 Issue Ty. J control number overprints are numbered from the highest denomination to the lowest starting with the 90c "1234", 30c "2345", 24c "3456" and so on, except for the 15c which has only three numbers ("235"), research by Michael Plett and Ken Gilbart (Chronicle Aug. 2012, pp. 214-226) solved the long-standing mystery of how these specimens were made and deduced that numbers were applied one stamp at a time in the sheet or multiple, using a bond-numbering mechanical device, five blocks of the 2c Black Jack with control number overprint are recorded in the Gilbart-Plett census, ex Fosdyke-Ray and Dr. Burrows, with 2009 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, Red Control Number "6789" Ovpt. Ty. J (76S-J). Block of four, original gum, h.r., extra row of vertical perfs at center, straddle-pane margin at right, with portion of adjoining stamps, Very Good and rare, the 1861-66 Issue Ty. J control number overprints are numbered from the highest denomination to the lowest starting with the 90c "1234", 30c "2345", 24c "3456" and so on, except for the 15c which has only three numbers ("235"), research by Michael Plett and Ken Gilbart (Chronicle Aug. 2012, pp. 214-226) solved the long-standing mystery of how these specimens were made and deduced that numbers were applied one stamp at a time in the sheet or multiple, using a bond-numbering mechanical device, three blocks of the 5c with control number overprint are recorded in the Gilbart-Plett census
15c Black, Red Control Number "235" Ovpt. Ty. J (77S-J). Block of six, original gum, few h.r., lower left stamp showing substantial upward displacement of the overprint, choice centering, bright shade on crisp paper, some perf separations between pos. 1-2.VERY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 15-CENT 1861 ISSUE WITH RED CONTROL NUMBER OVERPRINT. A BLOCK OF SIX IS ALSO THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF ANY DENOMINATION WITH CONTROL NUMBER OVERPRINTS.
The stamps of the 1861 Issue are known with sequential control number overprints, from the highest denomination to the lowest starting with the 90c "1234", 30c "2345", 24c "3456" and so on except for the 15c offered here, which has only three numbers -- "235". Research by Michael Plett and Ken Gilbart (Chronicle Aug. 2012, pp. 214-226) solved the long-standing mystery of these specimens and determined that the overprints were applied by a bond-numbering mechanical device. It is believed that only one-half pane of each were overprinted.
The largest multiples of any denominations are blocks of six, which were offered in one of the Hollowbush sales in the 1960s. Six denominations are believed to still exist as blocks of six -- the 1c, 2c, 3c, 10c, this 15c and the 90c. Apart from these six, the other denominations have been reduced in size. In addition to this block there are three blocks of four of the 15c in the Gilbart-Plett census.
Illustrated in Chronicle 235 (p. 35). Ex Hollowbush. Scott value as a block of four and two singles.