Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 123-133a)
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Original gum, beautiful deep rich color on bright paper, well-centered with wide well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Ex "Laila". With 1971 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,450.00). This is the highest grade awarded by either P.F. or P.S.E.
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number of units sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869's were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp's high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. The stamp offered here is one of the finest we have ever encountered.
With 1985, 2003 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 1980 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $19,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it. The last we offered was in our 2009 Whitman sale.
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Original gum, beautiful color and proof-like impressions on bright paper, almost perfect centering with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,500.00). Only four have graded higher.
1c Buff, 1880 Re-Issue (133). Mint N.H., rich color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1880 RE-ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
We have offered only seven unduplicated Mint N.H. examples of this issue since keeping computerized records. None are as nice as the example offered here.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition. It is also unpriced in hinged condition above the grade of 95. The SMQ of $1,400.00 as hinged 95 is completely irrelevant). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve it. The next-highest is a 90 (one known, offered in our Sale 930)