Sale 976 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 29 September-2 October, 2009
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-67b)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, attractively centered for this tightly-spaced issue, deep rich color, Fine
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Original gum, deep shade, natural diagonal crease which barely breaks the paper at the edge ending in a tiny tear, otherwise Fine, rare original-gum example of this issue, with 2008 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Attractively centered with huge imperforate straddle-pane margin at right showing part of adjacent stamp and guide marker, red grid and circular datestamp, slight toning and nibbed perf, otherwise Very Fine
1c Blue (63). Block of four, original gum, top stamps h.r., bottom pair lightly hinged, brilliant color, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 ONE-CENT BLUE.
This block is extremely desirable by virtue of its bright color, choice centering throughout, and fresh paper and gum.
1c Blue (63). Wide balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of target and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1983 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (63). Well-centered with beautiful color and impression, clear red "New York City Paid 1 ct." carrier datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $85.00 as ordinary cancel), the numeric grade appears to ignore the presence of a beautifully-struck red carrier datestamp
1c Blue (63). Horizontal pair, radiant color, bold strike of blue Cincinnati double-circle datestamp, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine
1c Blue (63). Bottom imprint and plate no. 10 strip of three, neat strikes of "Milwaukee Wis. Nov. 22, 1862" double-circle datestamp, some perf separations sensibly reinforced, otherwise Extremely Fine, an extremely rare used imprint and plate number multiple -- quite likely unique
1c Ultramarine (63a). Rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, neat strike of target cancel and also circular datestamp at bottom, tiny thin spot at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1972 P.F. certificate
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense shade and impression, neat strike of New York town circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this shade
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, well-struck "Paid 3" in circle handstampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK, WITH GORGEOUS COLOR, CHOICE CENTERING AND A PERFECT "PAID 3" CANCEL.
With 1959 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00). The numeric grade appears to be based strictly on the measurement of margin width and ignores the presence of a perfectly struck "Paid 3" cancel.
3c Pink (64). Extraordinarily well-centered, incredible depth of color and almost enough bluish tint to qualify it as a Pigeon Blood Pink shade, unobtrusive six-ring target cancelEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW HIGH-GRADE 3-CENT 1861 PINK STAMPS AROUND TODAY THAT STILL HAS INTENSE COLOR.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00)
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Beautiful rich color with strong bluish cast, which is characteristic of the true Pigeon Blood Pink, almost perfect centering with wide and well-proportioned margins all around, crisp impression, well-struck New York town datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE PIGEON BLOOD PINK STAMP IN ALL ASPECTS OF CENTERING, COLOR, IMPRESSION AND CANCELLATION.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Pretty shade nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Original gum, faintly hinged if at all, attractive margins and well-centered, lovely color with clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $300.00)
3c Rose, 2c Black (65, 73). 3c bottom imprint and plate no. 34 block of six, original gum, somewhat flawed, 2c bottom block of four with part imprint and "Plate", similar condition, almost Fine, scarce blocks well-suited for exhibition, Scott Retail with no premium for the 2c imprint
3c Rose (65). Bright color, cancelled by perfect strike of Man Smoking Pipe fancy cancel of Waterbury Conn., tiny bit of circular datestamp at right, single short perf at bottom leftEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE FAMOUS WATERBURY MAN SMOKING PIPE FANCY CANCEL.
Ex Dr. Jackson and Sapperstein
3c Rose (65). Rich color, cancelled by clear strike of New York City Union Soldier's Head fancy cancel of New York City, Very Fine and choice, ex Sapperstein
5c Buff (67). Unusually choice centering with perfs well clear of design on all sides, radiant color, neat strikes of grid and also circular datestamp cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,350.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade. The next-highest grade is a 90. None of the other shades (Scott 67a or 67b) has graded higher either.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Pretty shade nicely complemented by red grid cancel, wide margins, short corner perf at bottom left, otherwise Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Well-centered, excellent color red grid cancel, Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, rich color, blue Baltimore circular datestamp, single nibbed perf at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1977 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright color, neat circular datestamp, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade, red grid cancel, small sealed tear at top left, otherwise Very Fine, ex Klein
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Radiant color in the true Olive Yellow shade, well-balanced margins, neat strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE RARE OLIVE YELLOW SHADE.
This is by far the scarcest of the three Scott-listed shades. With 1982 P.F. certificate.