Sale 978 — The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Friday, 4 December, 2009
Category — 1847 Issue and 1875 Reproductions
5c Orange Brown (1b). Original gum with natural crackling, small h.r., large to huge margins, full at top, brilliant and fresh colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN COLOR, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED 80 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY GRADED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THIS DESIRABLE SHADE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $8,400.00).
10c Black (2). Full original gum, lightly hinged, mostly huge margins to full at lower left, bright shade and detailed impression clearly showing every detail of the engraving, remarkably fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN COMPLETELY SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FOUR FULL MARGINS. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.
The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law’s effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Mint OG, VF 80; SMQ $40,500.00). Only one other shares this grade and only one grades higher. A review using Power Search will display both of the other stamps -- the one graded higher (at 85) notes a light gum crease, while the only other example to achieve this grade was just offered in our 2009 Rarities sale.
5c Red Brown (1). Huge margins all around, warm color and clear impression, neat black grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, PSE encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins, attractive color and clear impression, neat red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large even margins all around, beautiful color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only seven others share this grade.
10c Black (2). Large to huge margins incl. part of adjoining stamp at bottom and also sheet margin at top, bright shade and crisp impression, unobtrusive strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE, WITH A HUGE SHEET MARGIN AT TOP.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,450.00)
10c Black (2). Large margins all around, detailed impression nicely complemented by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00)
5c Red Brown, Reproduction (3). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on nicely blued paper, large margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,550.00), only four have graded higher to date
10c Black, Reproduction (4). Without gum as issued, large to huge margins all around, bright shade and detailed impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb stamp in every respect, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,900.00), only three have graded higher to date and only four others share this grade