Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
2c Brown (113). Original gum, beautiful Jumbo margins and fabulous centering to match, fresh color on bright paper, shows guide arrow at bottom left (this would have been the top right stamp in a right arrow margin block of four)EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MASSIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES THIS GRADE AND ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,800.00 as 95, $5,200.00 as 98). Only one other shares this grade and only one has graded higher. This statistic has not changed since 2008.
2c Brown (113). Original gum, rich color on fresh paper, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $950.00)
3c Ultramarine (114). Mint N.H. with tiny brown spot on gum not noted on accompanying certificates, wide margins and essentially perfect centering, bright color on post office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1993, 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
6c Ultramarine (115). Unused (no gum), choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bright color, tiny corner perf tip thin, Extremely Fine appearance
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, unusually choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1990 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
10c Yellow (116). Unused (no gum), perfect centering, lovely bright color, fresh and crispEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1986 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded to any unused 10c 1869 Pictorial (one original-gum stamp is also graded 98)
12c Green (117). Original gum, narrow h.r., well-proportioned margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
12c Green (117). Unused (no gum), choice margins and centering, vivid color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,150.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unused (no gum), extra wide margins, pretty colors, tiny pinhole in grill not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance, with 1996 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Slightly disturbed original gum, wonderful depth of color, well-proportioned margins, accompanying certificate states "lightly soiled at bottom" which is barely detectible, still Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Slightly disturbed original gum, wide margins and choice centering, bright colors with crisp frame and vignette impressionsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Ex Chapin. With 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (no gum), rich colors and detailed impressions, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (NG, VF 80; SMQ $2,800.00)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Unused (no gum), bright colors on crisp paper, attractive margins and centering, accompanying certificate states "small corner crease at bottom right", which we fail to detect despite repeated dipping, Very Fine appearance, with 1996 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Large part original gum, wide margins to clear at top, clearly-defined grill, few minor gum soaked perf tipsFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1974 P.F. certificate