Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue
2c Brown (113). Immense margins on three sides, straddle-pane margin at right with part of arrow at bottom, trace of a second grill at right, cancelled by a neat strike of "HIOGO JAPAN" double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, ex Haas
3c Ultramarine (114). Top imprint and plate no. 26 block of twelve, original gum, few lightly hinged, few Mint N.H., three stamps at bottom right with split grills, choice centeringVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Ex Chapin. With 1976 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as plate block of ten and two singles
12c Green (117). Mint N.H., brilliant color and proof-like impression, choice centering with unusually wide margins, this stamp also shows the Split Grill varietyEXTREMELY FINE JUMBO. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS STAMP WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS AND IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE ONLY CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED COPY IN EXISTENCE..
A search of past auction catalogues failed to find this stamp's equal. The few blocks that exist have either disturbed original gum or are hinged, and so will not yield Mint N.H. singles.
With 1989 P.F. certificate. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF-XF 85 Jumbo). Unpriced in SMQ or Scott in Mint N.H. condition. In the absence of any reliable pricing information, we have conservatively estimated this unique stamp's market value.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unused (no gum), brilliant colors and crisp impressions, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1869 15-CENT TYPE I PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The 15c Type I is considerably more difficult to obtain in sound unused condition than the Type II.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Essay Grill (unlisted 119-E). Very strongly impressed grill measuring 9.5 x 9.5mm (approx. 12 x 12 points), the same size as normal G Grill on 1869 Issue but markedly different impression, slight production crease, otherwise Very Fine, noted by Falk Finkelburg as an experimental grill
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on crisp paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119 var). Part original gum, deep rich colors with frame printed in the distinctive Dark Brown shade, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL IN THE DARK BROWN AND BLUE COLOR WITH PART ORIGINAL GUM.
With 1981 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, clearly-defined grill, few trivial toned specks on gum onlyVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The clearly-defined grill, which is visible on the face of the stamp, is especially appealing to those who wish to see the unmistakable difference between this and its Re-Issue counterpart.
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (no gum), bright colors and detailed impressions on crisp paper, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1982 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, brilliant colors on bright paper, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
The grilled 30c 1869 is rarely found in well-centered original-gum condition -- the few surviving multiples are poorly centered -- and it is actually rarer in such condition than its ungrilled counterpart, Scott 121a, or the 30c Re-Issue, Scott 131.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Unused (no gum), brilliant colors, superb centering, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Perfectly centered, bright colors, tied by beautiful bold strike of Leaf cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jul. 14" (1869) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Palermo, Sicily, transit and receiving backstamps, top line of address expertly restoredEXTREMELY FINE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL STAMP ON A RARE DOUBLE 15-CENT ITALIAN CLOSED MAIL COVER TO SICILY VIA ENGLAND.
Of the 58 30c 1869 covers in the 1869 PRA Census, only two are addressed to Italy. The stamp on this cover ranks among the very finest on any of the 30c 1869 covers.
Ex Coulter. Signed Ashbrook.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Flags Inverted (121b). Cork cancel, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, bright color, Carmine color is slightly faded, small repaired tear at bottom rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT. THIS STAMP IS OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY DECADES.
Our published census of 30c 1869 Invert (with unpublished updates) contains a total of 45 stamps, including 7 unused and 38 used. This stamp, which comes from the Pasadena Collection, was not included in our census. It is the first in the Centered-East category.
Census No. 121b-CAN-CE01. With 2007 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Choice centering with unusually wide margins, light strike of red cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL. ESPECIALLY SCARCE AND DESIRABLE WITH A RED CANCELLATION.
With 2004 P.F. certificate