Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue
1c Franklin, Die Essays on White Ivory (112-E5b). Two, in Black and Black Brown, approximately 50 x 55mm, detailed impressions, each with small thin spot at top left corner from mount removalVERY FINE. TWO RARE EXAMPLES OF THIS UNADOPTED DESIGN FOR THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Highly exhibitable.
1c Black on Buff, Dull Purple on Buff, 1869 National Bank Note Company Essay, entires (Underander E35Ag, E35Af). One of each color, Both have deep rich color, few small inclusions and trivial wrinklingVERY FINE EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAL STATIONERY ESSAYS FOR THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Very few of each are known. Undersander value $5,000.00
2c Brown, Without Grill (113b). Original gum, deep rich color and fine impression, attractive centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
Most examples of this stamp are significantly off-center. As an indication of rarity, we have only offered six others since keeping computerized records.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine, Plate Essay, Imperforate (114-E7a, 114-E7b). Block of four, large margins, tropicalized original gum, trace of National Bank Note Company cancel at bottom rightVERY FINE. A RARE MULTIPLE OF THIS 3-CENT 1869 PLATE ESSAY WITH THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CANCEL.
We have only offered one other with the cancel since keeping computerized records over 14 years ago.
Ex Cutts. Scott Retail as singles
3c Ultramarine (114). Top imprint and plate no. 26 block of twelve with part arrow and natural s.e. at left, original gum, bottom stamps Mint N.H., also with grill shifting noticeably downwards causing four stamps at bottom right to show split grill and four stamps at top right to show shortened grills, one or two trivial perf separationsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1988 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail with no premium for the Mint N.H. stamps or the split grills.
3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (114a). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, bright shade on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL. THE LOWER-VALUE 1869'S WITHOUT GRILL ARE MUCH RARER THAN THE HIGH VALUES, AND THEY ARE SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN CHOICE CONDITION. THIS IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 WITHOUT GRILL WE HAVE EVER OFFERED, AND IT IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXTANT.
We have only offered eleven other unused examples in our computerized records, which includes all of our Rarities sales plus 14 years of auctions. Of these, only five were sound and only one was graded better than Fine.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ in any grade)
3c Ultramarine (114). Bright color, tied by well-struck Waterbury Maple Leaf fancy cancel (Rohloff L-6) and "Waterbury Ct. Dec. 9" circular datestamp on small piece, Extremely Fine strike of this elaborate fancy cancel
3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by bold strike of Waterbury Skull and Crossbones fancy cancel (Rohloff R3) and also by "Waterbury Ct. Jan. 26" (1870) circular datestamp on cover to Watertown Conn., stamp with toned perfs, cover with toned spots and small tear at lower leftVERY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE WATERBURY SKULL AND CROSSBONES FANCY CANCEL.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Affixed sideways and tied by perfect strike of Horse in Hat fancy cancel and "Union Mills Pa. Feb. 15" (1870) circular datestamp on orange cover to Ellington N.Y., barely reduced at left, stamp with small piece out at leftEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE UNION MILLS HORSE IN HAT FANCY CANCEL. ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE SUBJECTS AND DESIGNS WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Union Mills, Pennsylvania, was the source of several remarkable fancy cancel designs in the 1869-71 period, including the "KKK" Skull and Crossbones, Kleagle Mask (two versions) and the Horse in Hat designs. All indicate Ku Klux Klan activity in this Western Pennsylvania town during the immediate post-war Reconstruction period. The Horse in Hat (sometimes called a Dog in Hat) is a symbol of Celtic ritual, in which horses were adorned with human attire, such as hats.
Ex Haas, Robertson and Boker.
3c Ultramarine (114). S.e. at right, tied by bold strike of Kleagle Mask fancy cancel, "Union Mills Pa. Feb. 21" circular datestamp on cover to Lowell Mich., trivial edgewear and slight soiling, pencil "1870" docketingVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIKE OF THE UNION MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA, KLEAGLE MASK FANCY CANCEL. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS PARTICULAR CARVING.
Kleagle is the title held by the Ku Klux Klan officer whose role is to recruit new members. Union Mills is most famous for its "KKK" Skull and Crossbones fancy cancel. Two versions of the Kleagle Mask design were used at Union Mills. This unique example surfaced in the late 1980's in a small postal history mail auction in the midwest.
Ex Robertson and Boker.
10c Orange Yellow, Large Die Essay on India (116-E2a). On 113 x 75mm card with full die sinkage, brilliant color, trivial soiling at top let well away from designVERY FINE. REPORTED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS COLOR.
Ex Finkelburg and Lake Shore
10c Dim Rose, Large Die Essay on India (116-E2a). On 114 x 76mm card with full die sinkage, bright colorVERY FINE. REPORTED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS COLOR.
Ex Lake Shore
15c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (118TC1). On 79 x 62mm card with full die sinkage, pencil "2" at top right, albino impression of imprint at bottomVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The last example we offered in Black realized $4,500 hammer in our Sale 900.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I, Double Grill (118 var). Original gum, showing clear second grill which slightly overlaps the first, pretty colorsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH SPLIT GRILL. OUR COMPUTERIZED RECORDS CONTAIN ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE OFFERED IN ONE OF OUR AUCTIONS.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate. The only other unused example contained in our computerized records was offered in our 1983 Rarities sale.
15c Red Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Large Die Essay on India, Vignette Mounted in Place (119-E1c). On 144 x 225mm card with full die sinkage, deep rich colors, vignette firmly mounted in place, trace of binding from presentation album at leftVERY FINE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS ESSAY IN EXISTENCE.
We have sold one one other, which was cut down from full size and stained. Accompanied by note from dealer Jim Lee, who doubts there are more than three which are full size.
15c Dark Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119 var). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on crisp paper, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH THE FRAME PRINTED IN THE DISTINCTIVE DARK BROWN SHADE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate as normal shade (VF-XF 85; SMQ $6,750.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Horizontal pair, used with 2c Brown (113) and 12c Green (117), tied by corks, "Portchester N.Y. Apr. 4" circular datestamp on cover to Lima, Peru, red "24" credit and red crayon "2" rate, 2c stamp small tear at bottom, left 15c light crease at top left, cover expertly repaired at left and with part of backflap addedVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE AND ATTRACTIVE THREE-COLOR COMBINATION FRANKING TO PERU FROM THE DAVIS CORRESPONDENCE.
The franking pays double the 22c rate via American Packet and thence by British Mails via Panama.
Ex Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Horizontal strip of four and two singles (one a replacement), used with 12c Green (117), s.e. at left, tied by corks, "Portchester N.Y. Jan. 20" circular datestamp on cover to Lima, Peru, red crayon "72" credit marking, right stamp in strip slightly affected from placement at edge of cover, one single a replacement and cover restored along top edgeVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II ON COVER. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEM.
The franking paid three times the 34c rate via American Packet and thence by British Mails via Panama.
Ex Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate and accompanied by photo before restoration
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Center Inverted (119b). Neat cork cancel leaves frame and inverted vignette clearly visible, trace of red cancel at bottom left, few flaws described on accompanying certificate as "minor faults"VERY FINE CENTERING AND AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT. ONLY 93 COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of 1869 Inverts, published in the February 1999 Chronicle and updated with three new stamps, contains 93 examples of the 15c Invert, including three unused and 90 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection).
Census No. 119b-CAN-SW12
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely fresh rich colors and quite well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $16,500.00)
10c Yellow, 24c Green & Violet (120). Rich colors, 24c slight corner crease, tied by circle of wedges cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Apr. 24" (1869) backstamp on cover to naval officer on board the U.S.S. Piscataqua (later Delaware) in care of the U.S. Consul at Hong Kong, China, sender's routing "Via Southampton, red "32" credit handstamp (corresponding to the credit for 42c rate via Marseilles), red London transit datestamp (May 7 or 8), red crayon "1" British colonial rate, Hong Kong-Singapore Marine Sorter backstamp (June 10-17), docketing indicates addressee did not receive the letter until months later on Dec. 25, 1869VERY FINE AND IMPORTANT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVER, COMBINING THE 10-CENT AND 24-CENT VALUES FOR THE 34-CENT BRITISH MAIL RATE VIA SOUTHAMPTON, BUT CREDITED FOR THE FASTER ROUTE VIA MARSEILLES AND MOST DEFINITELY CARRIED BY THAT ROUTE.
Only three 24c 1869 covers to China are recorded in the 1869 PRA Census. This cover is the third earliest of all known 24c 1869 covers, preceded by an April 7 usage to Shanghai (ex Mack, Siegel Sale 876, lot 122) and an April 23 usage from New York to Mobile. Use of the Hong Kong-Singapore Marine Sorter backstamp is also quite rare.
Comparing this cover with the ex-Mack cover to Shanghai is instructive. Both covers were prepaid 34c and marked by the sender to go via Southampton. The ex-Mack cover did travel on the slower Southampton route and took 57 days to reach the Hong Kong transit ship (NY 4/7, London 4/17, Hong Kong Marine Sorter 6/3-8, the split dates referring to departure and scheduled arrival dates). The cover offered here, contrary to the sender's directive, was bagged for the British route via Marseilles and appropriately credited 32c, not 24c. The 32c credit comprises 24c for British overseas postage and 8c extra for fast transit via Marseilles. (Perhaps a clerk in the New York foreign-mail office was feeling charitable toward a naval officer). Comparing the transit dates with the ex-Mack cover, this journey was 10 days shorter (NY 4/24, London 5/8, Hong Kong Marine Sorter 6/10-17, for a total of 47 days to reach Hong Kong transit ship).
Ex Coulter. With 2006 .P.F. certificate
30c Black, Burgoyne Large Die Essay on Red Violet Veined Ivory Card (121-E1o). 36 x 63mm and with imprint at bottom, bright colorsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO COLOR COMBINATIONS OF THIS ESSAY ON VEINED IVORY CARD, AND IS BELIEVED TO BE UNIQUE.
The other known color combination, in Black on Green veined ivory card, was offered in our Finkelburg sale, where it realized $2,400 hammer in 1999.
30c Deep Blue & Deep Green, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (121TC1). On 71 x 79mm card with full die sinkage, bright colors, India with usual two small hole punchesVERY FINE. THIS COLOR COMBINATION FOR THE 30-CENT 1869 COLOR TRIAL PROOFS IS REPORTEDLY UNIQUE.
Eleven colors are listed in Scott Catalogue, and all are believed to be unique.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum which is harshly described on accompanying certificate as large part original gum, brilliant colors, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Deep rich colors and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, well-struck segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,750.00 as 95, $10,600.00 as 98).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, used with two 2c Brown (113) and tied by cork cancels on small cover to Lima, Peru, endorsed "per 'Henry Chauncey'", red "24" credit tying one 2c stamp, neat "Panama AU 30, 1869" transit circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, cover bend at top most likely from contentsVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USAGE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON COVER TO PERU. FROM THE DAVIS CORRESPONDENCE.
The franking pays the 34c rate via American Packet and thence by British Mails via Panama. The Davis correspondence is more often found franked with 15c stamps.
Ex Haas, LeBow and Lafayette. Illustrated in 1869 Census book on p. 196 and in February 1978 issue of Chronicle. With 1967 P.F. certificate
90c Washington, Plate Essays on Stamp Paper (122-E2b). Five blocks of four in four of the five Scott-listed colors, incl. two in Dull Violet with one top right corner margin, large margins, rich colors, free from the usual defects that can plague this fragile paperVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE GROUP OF FIVE BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT WASHINGTON ESSAY, SCOTT 122-E2B
Scott Retail as singles
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich colorsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With copies of 1980 and 2000 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine & Black (122). Barely disturbed original gum, bright colors, clearly-defined grill, wide and balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1990 and 2008 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine & Black (122). Brilliant colors, unusually choice centering with wide margins, bold cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF 90 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.F. and 2001 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $4,850.00 as 90, $12,100.00 as 98). Only seven have graded higher to date (the highest grade is 95J) and only one other shares this grade. This is the highest grade for a used stamp we have offered to date.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, wide margins, bold strike of blue circle of wedges cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELLED BY A BLUE CORK CANCEL.
As an indication of rarity, we have only sold six other examples of the 90c 1869 with blue cancels in the past 14 years. Of these, two were cancelled in transit by blue French cancels and not at the point of origin of use.
With 1995 .P.F. certificate