Sale 913 — 2006 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 May, 2006
Category — 3c-5c 1857-60 Issue
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (26). Left imprint and plate no. 23 block of sixteen, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, one stamp natural inclusionFINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1857 PERFORATED 3-CENT FROM PLATE 23.
This is only the second plate block of eight or larger from Plate 23 we have offered since keeping computerized records. Scott Retail as imprint and plate no. block of eight and two blocks of four
5c Brick Red (27). Radiant color, perfectly centered with wide margins which are well clear of outer projections on all sides, face-free grid cancel at topEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE BRICK RED COLOR. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP IN EXISTENCE.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
5c Brick Red (27). Vertical strip of three, perfs scissors-separated but intact, tied by "New Orleans La. Apr. 28, 1859" circular datestamps on folded letter to France, red "New York Paid 3 May 7" credit datestamp, red boxed "PD" also ties strip as does light strike of French ultramarine octagonal datestamp, various transit backstamps, some slight overall toning, Very Fine, scarce strip used on a cover carried by American Packet
5c Red Brown (28). Block of four, original gum, 1856 shade, perfs scissors-separated, a few trimmed perfs at bottom rightFINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 5-CENT RED BROWN 1857 ISSUE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST BLOCK IN EXISTENCE.
Most blocks of this issue are without gum. The block of nine with no gum illustrated in the Hill book was later split into two blocks of four. Caspary owned a block of six with original gum, also with perfs scissors-trimmed, but its whereabouts are unknown. The Zoellner collection contained a block of Scott 29, but none of the Red Brown shade. This is the 1856 Red Brown, making this block the equivalent to a block of Scott 23 or 25 (perforated stamps from earlier imperforate sheets).
Ex Hind and Klein. With 1988 P.F. certificate
5c Indian Red (28A). Deep rich color in the unmistakable Indian Red shade, choice centering with vertical guideline and selvage at right, tied by "New Orleans La. Dec. 13, 1858" circular datestamp on small blue pieceVERY FINE FOR THIS DIFFICULT ISSUE. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE COLOR AND FRESHNESS.
The blue paper provides a striking background for the Indian Red color.
5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Brilliant color on bright paper, in our opinion this is an Indian Red (although certified as Bright Red Brown), neat strikes of New Orleans circular datestamp, almost perfectly centered with wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE I PERFORATED ISSUE IN THE RICH 1858 SHADE.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Block of four, used with 1c Blue, Ty. V (24) and tied on small blue piece, top left stamp small fault at left, appears Fine, a rare used block of the 5c 1860 Brown Type II