Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, near perfect centering, long and full perforations, Very Fine and choice, ex Hall, with 1994 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
1c Blue (63). Brilliant color, wonderful centering amid particularly wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (63a). Mint N.H., radiant color in the distinctive Ultramarine shade, well-proportioned margins with long and full perforationsA BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE SCARCE ULTRAMARINE SHADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; this shade is unlisted as unused in SMQ), quoting catalogue value for the normal shade would be very misleading -- we have offered only two other unused and two used examples since keeping computerized records. Scott Retail as hinged $2,500.00
3c Pink (64). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color in the true Pink shade, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK. ONE OF THE RAREST 1861 ISSUE SHADES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 3c 1861 Pink (Scott 64) is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition with fresh color. The nature of the ink used to print the 3c Pink shade is such that over the course of time, with exposure to light and other adverse elements, the color tends to oxidize or lose its vibrancy.
Collectors who have searched in vain for a 3c Pink in such condition will appreciate the rarity of this stamp in such a remarkable state of preservation. Others who may be less familiar with the rarity of this early 1861 Issue -- and perhaps deceived by the abundance of common 3c 1861 shades (Scott 65) -- are urged to consider the extreme rarity of Scott 64 in sound original-gum condition.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2003 and 2016 P.F. certificates
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color in this distinctive shade, near perfect centering with well-proportioned margins, proof-like impression on especially bright paper, Extremely Fine, quite difficult to find in this condition, with 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Wide margins, bright color in the Pink shade, neat strike of double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
3c Pink (64). Precise centering, radiant color, neat "Paid 3" in arc cancel, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Perfect centering, lovely rich color on fresh white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, an attractive used example, ex Dr. Hinrichs, with 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Bright shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins, long and full perforations, neat face-free strike of segmented grid cancel of Philadelphia, Extremely Fine and beautiful, ex Bowman, with 1998 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Precise centering within balanced margins, fresh color and strong impression, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Rose (65). Original gum, small h.r., deep rich color on bright paper, exceptional centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $925.00), only one hinged and one Mint N.H. have graded higher (both 98) and this is one of only three examples to achieve this grade
3c Rose (65). Block of nine, original gum, lightly hinged (a few appear Mint N.H.), radiant color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as block of four, two pairs and a single
3c Rose (65). Perfect centering within Jumbo margins, brilliant color, sharp impression on bright paper, neat blue town and grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 A.P.S. certificate
3c Rose (65). Perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh color, neat grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem
3c Rose (65). Unusually wide margins, bright color nicely contrasted by green town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Mitchell
3c Lake, Imperforate (66a). Mint N.H., large even margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 2008 Weiss certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
5c Buff (67). Beautifully centered, radiant color which is nicely complemented by the well-struck red grid cancel, wide margins, Extremely Fine, a particularly handsome example, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Choice centering with wide margins all around, crisp impression showing every detail of the engraving, long and full perforations all around, light strike of target cancel and also trace of red transit cancel at lower left leaves design completely clearEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- A GORGEOUS STAMP.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). Only four have graded higher (at 98J)
24c Red Lilac (70). Choice centering and balanced margins, beautiful deep rich color, light strike of blue circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, a pretty used single, with 1991 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Nicely balanced margins, bold strike of Star in Circle fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno GE C101), fresh and Very Fine, with 1993 P.S.E. and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Rich color in the true Steel Blue color, wide margins, grid cancel and part of red circular datestamp at left, Extremely Fine, ex Saadi, with 1991 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00)
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Slightly disturbed original gum, small h.r., beautiful rich color, expertly repaired vertical tearA FINE APPEARING AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER WITH THE COLOR BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in original-gum condition.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate
30c Orange (71). Bold blue circle of wedges cancels with trace of red transit datestamp at top right, dark color, beautifully centered on brilliant paper, Extremely Fine, a particularly striking used example, with 2003 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Top sheet margin block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, deep shade, centered to left as are most of the few known blocksVERY GOOD-FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Less than ten blocks of four are recorded. Most are centered left as the block offered here. A block of eight was offered in the Caspary sale, with similar centering, and this may have come from the same sheet.
Ex Weill
90c Blue (72). Perfect centering and particularly wide margins, deep rich color on bright paper, complementary strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Perfect centering within particularly wide margins, detailed impression on bright white paper, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine
2c Black (73). Mint N.H., detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, an unusually fresh and well centered example of this difficult issue, this is the first in Mint N.H. condition we have offered since 2011, with 2005 P.F. certificate for block of six, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Black (73). Mint N.H. block of four, bright shade and detailed impression, balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK.
Most blocks with Mint N.H. stamps have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. We doubt this block will remain intact for much longer.
With 2001 and 2012 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
2c Black (73). Intense shade and impression, Jumbo margins with particularly choice centering for this notoriously difficult issue, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, as the P.S.E. population report demonstrates this is a particularly difficult stamp to find with Jumbo margins, ex Dr. Morris and Collier, with 1995 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,650.00), only three examples have graded higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade
2c Black (73). Perfect centering, proof-like impression on bright paper, neat town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Imperforate (73 var). Large margins, original gum, lightly hinged, large manuscript "X" across face, Very Fine, rare imperforate presentation copy, with 1980 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, original gum, vivid bright color, well-centered with unusually wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. This example is particularly well-centered and should be considered desirable with its original gum. Many have faults or perfs in on one or more sides.
With 1986 and 2013 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, gorgeous deep color and proof-like impression, well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A FRESH SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 ISSUE IN THE RED BROWN SHADE -- VERY RARE IN THIS CONDITION.
The 5c Red Brown, issued in early 1862 after the Buff printing, is one of the 1861-66 stamps that challenges collectors who demand choice original-gum examples. Multiples of the Red Brown are extremely rare, with only one recorded original-gum block; therefore, there has never been a supply of blocks from which singles could be harvested. The vast majority of original-gum singles are off-center or faulty.
With 2014 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Perfectly centered within balanced margins, deep rich color, razor-sharp impression on bright white paper, light target cancel and trace of red cancel at topEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 RED BROWN.
Brookman notes "I consider the used Red Brown to be more scarce than Buff but the Buff is more scarce unused".
With 1994 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Extra wide margins, deep rich color and bold impression, neat cancel, Very Fine
15c Black (77). Exceedingly well-centered within balanced margins, intense shade, crisp impression on fresh paper, red quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful example of the 1866 15c Lincoln and especially desirable with a red cancellation, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate