Sale 1089 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. Revenues, Part 1
Sale Date — Tuesday, 16 December, 2014
Category — Second Issue Inverts
1c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R103a). Rich colors, neat blue herringbone cancel, fresh and Very Fine, a scarce Second Issue Invert in sound condition, ex Tolman
2c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R104a). Unused (no gum), s.e. at right, rich colors, Fine, a rare sound unused example of the 2c Second Issue invert, with 1981 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as used
2c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R104a). Rich colors, light strike of cut cancel handstamp, small closed tear at upper left, Fine appearance, with 1982 P.F. certificate
5c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R107a). Rich colors, choice centering, somewhat defective with creases, thins and rebacked, otherwise Extremely Fine example of this invert, with 1974 A.P.S. certificate
10c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R109a). Unused (traces of original gum), rich colors, light gum staining on a few perfs, still Fine, rare in unused condition, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as used
10c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R109a). Intense colors and impressions, neat blue Aug. 6, 1872 datestamps, small thin spot at center, Very Fine appearance
20c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R111a). Rich colors, neat blue herringbone cancel leaves entire design visible, hole in Washington's head, few small surface scuffsFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT SECOND ISSUE WITH INVERTED CENTER.
In his privately published census of Scott R111a, Larry Lyons notes thirteen singles and a pair. Of these, only one single and one stamp in the pair are sound.
Ex Newport. With 1974 and 2007 P.F. certificates
25c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R112a). Large part original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, small thin spotsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 25-CENT SECOND ISSUE WITH CENTER INVERTED. ONLY 16 ARE RECORDED, AND OF THESE ONLY THREE ARE UNUSED. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records sixteen examples of the 25c Second Issue Invert, three of which are unused. The unused are: 1) part o.g., sound, well-centered, ex Zoellner (Siegel Sale 827, lot 1598, realized $21,000 hammer); 2) o.g., few short perfs, centered to top right with perfs touching design, ex Joyce; and 3) large part o.g., small thin spots, choice centering, ex Cunliffe (Spink-Shreves June 2009, lot 99, realized $9,000 hammer), the example offered here.
Ex Cunliffe. With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as used
25c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R112a). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat "A.P. Dec. 19, 1871" manuscript cancel, thin spot at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 25-CENT SECOND ISSUE REVENUE INVERT. ONLY 16 ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records sixteen examples of the 25c Second Issue Invert, three of which are unused. Virtually all have faults including two repaired, one defective and one reperfed. The example offered here, with rich colors, choice centering and only a minor thin spot, is highly desirable.
With 1986 P.F. certificate.
50c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R115b). Unused (part original gum), fresh and bright colors, incredibly well-centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, ex Zoellner, Scott Retail as used
50c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R115b). Bright colors, magenta Dec. 19, 1871 manuscript cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
50c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R115b). Horizontal pair, strong colors and well-centered, neat July 9, 1872 manuscript cancel and filled punch holes, Very Fine appearance, ex Tolman
70c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R117a). Bright colors, blue 1871 datestamp and herringbone cancels, choice centering, some reinforcing of the herringbones, Very Fine appearance, only 27 examples of this invert are recorded
$1.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R118a). Original gum, bright colorsFRESH AND FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 SECOND ISSUE WITH CENTER INVERTED.
Power Search contains one other unused, from our 1980 Rarities sale.
Ex Cunliffe. With 1984 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as used
$1.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R118a). Bright colors, neat Aug. 8, 1872 manuscript cancel, tiny pinhole at bottom centerVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 SECOND REVENUE ISSUE INVERT.
Ex Cunliffe.
$5.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R127a). Deep rich colors, neat manuscript cancel, horizontal crease, thin spot at bottom, Very Fine appearance