Sale 1100 — United States Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Monday, 22 June, 2015
Category — Revenues (R95a thru RB6a)
$10.00 Mortgage, Imperforate (R95a). Horizontal pair, large margins, unobtrusive Aug. 7, 1863 manuscript cancels, left stamp small sealed tear at left, Very Fine appearance, there are only three multiples larger than a pair
$15.00 Mortgage, Imperforate (R97a). Block of six reconstructed from two vertical pairs and two singles, used on the same document with red March 28, 1863 manuscript cancels, few flaws including repaired tear at bottom right and translucency at bottom leftFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE $15.00 MORTGAGE IMPERFORATE FIRST REVENUE.
Ex Cunliffe. Scott Retail as two pairs and two singles $23,500.00
$15.00 Mortgage, Perforated (R97c). Part disturbed original gum, deep rich color, detailed impression, light horizontal crease at top, Very Fine appearance, Scott Retail as used
$20.00 Conveyance, Imperforate (R98a). Horizontal pair, large part original gum, h.r., large margins to full including top sheet margin, vivid color, Extremely Fine, a rare original-gum pair in superb condition, with 2010 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as used
$20.00 Conveyance, Imperforate (R98a). Block of four, large balanced margins, remarkably vivid color, each with neat Jan. 28, 1864 manuscript cancel, Extremely Fine, striking scarce First Issue multiple in exceptionally desirable condition, ex Tolman
$20.00 Probate of Will, Imperforate (R99a). Large margins to just clear at bottom, vibrant color, well-struck Feb. 3, 1863 datestamp cancels, faint corner crease at top right visible only in fluid, Very Fine appearance, ex Cunliffe
$20.00 Probate of Will, Imperforate (R99a). Block of 27, large margins to barely touched in one or two spots, neat Oct. 27, 1863 manuscript cancels, radiant color, few wrinkles and creases to be expected on such a large multiple, one stamp with 18mm tearVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS HALF-SHEET OF 27 OF THE $20.00 PROBATE OF WILL IS BY FAR THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES IN ALL OF REVENUE COLLECTING.
This spectacular block is accompanied by a 6-page manuscript indenture (deed) for the Almaden Quicksilver Mine, selling the mine to the Quicksilver Mining Co. for $1,750,000. The multiple was originally affixed to the document.
Ex Joyce and on his exhibit page. Scott Retail as four blocks of four, five pairs and a single $98,250.00
$20.00 Probate of Will, Perforated (R99c). Intense shade, neat 1864 manuscript cancel, horizontal creases, Very Fine appearance
$20.00 Probate of Will, Perforated (R99c). Horizontal pair, vibrant color, each with neat 1864 handstamp cancels, both stamps with pre-printing paperfolds, few sensibly reinforced perfs at top, Very Fine appearance, a rare pair (8 pairs and two blocks recorded in Curtis census), ex Cunliffe
$50.00 U.S.I.R., Imperforate (R101a). Block of 12, large margins to barely in, bold "Lehigh O & N Co., Phila. Apr. 1, 1864" circular datestamps (strongly impressed on some causing paper indentations), light creases, pos. 2 small repair, otherwise Very Fine, this is the largest recorded multiple and two others are known, Scott Retail as three blocks of four $7,200.00
$200.00 U.S.I.R., Imperforate (R102a). Large even margins, rich colors, neat manuscript cancel, tiny corner crease at top right, vertical crease at right, Very Fine and choice appearance, with 1980 P.F. certificate
$200.00 U.S.I.R., Perforated (R102c). Vertical pair, rich colors, light 1866 manuscript cancels, still retaining much of its original gum (disturbed), some slight toning, otherwise Fine and attractive multiple of this colorful issue
$200.00 U.S.I.R., Perforated (R102c). Sheet of eight, bright colors and detailed impressions, neat June 1, 1868 manuscript cancels, some perf separations reinforced between top two rows, light creases but in far better condition than one would expect for such a large multipleVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COMPLETE SHEET OF EIGHT OF THE $200.00 FIRST REVENUE ISSUE.
Seven sheets are recorded in the Curtis census, including one repaired and one heavily reinforced. A Power Search review of our past sales failed to locate another sheet offered in our digital records.
Ex Mayer. Scott Retail as two blocks of four $14,000.00
5c Blue & Black, Second Issue (R107). Block of 72 with top imprint selvage, original gum, few h.r., some perf separations sensibly reinforced, few wrinkles and creases to be expected, Very Fine appearance, this is the largest recorded multiple, especially desirable with the imprint, ex Joyce, Scott Retail as used blocks of four $405.00
6c Blue & Black, Second Issue (R108). Block of four with double vertical perforations, bright colors, blue July 16, 1872 double-circle datestamp cancels, light creases at left, Very Fine appearance, a block of four is the largest recorded multiple, three are known including one with normal perfs and one with double horizontal perfs, ex Joyce and Halstead
15c Blue & Black, Second Issue (R110). Block of 16 with top part inverted imprint selvage, original gum, h.r., rich colors, light natural gum bends, top left stamp and selvage with small thin specks, Fine-Very Fine appearance, this is the largest recorded multiple, ex Cunliffe, Scott Retail as used blocks of four $1,500.00
30c Blue & Black, Second Issue (R113). Horizontal strip of seven, detailed impressions, light cut cancels, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, this is the largest recorded multiple, the next largest is a block of four, ex Joyce and Halstead, Scott Retail as pairs with normal cancels $1,150.00
$1.60 Blue & Black, Second Issue (R121). Horizontal strip of three, detailed impressions, neat blue Aug. 9, 1872 double-oval datestamps, fresh and Fine, this is the largest recorded multiple and the only one larger than a pair, ex Eagle, Joyce and Halstead
$20.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue (R129). Horizontal strip of four, neat 1872 manuscript cancels, rich colors and detailed impressions, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, this is the largest recorded multiple, one block of four is also known (on document, ex Tolman, realized $8,000 hammer in Siegel Sale 915), Scott Retail as pairs $5,000.00
$200.00 Red, Blue & Black, Second Issue, "Small Persian Rug" (R132). Bright fresh colors, choice centering and margins, manuscript "MSS 10 May 1872" cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE $200.00 "SMALL PERSIAN RUG" -- ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL STAMPS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
With 1984 and 2012 P.F. certificates
$500.00 Red Orange, Green & Black, Second Issue, "Large Persian Rug" (R133). Rich colors and detailed impressions, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive handstamped cut cancels barely break paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE CELEBRATED $500.00 "LARGE PERSIAN RUG," WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL AND ELABORATELY ENGRAVED STAMPS IN ALL OF PHILATELY.
Only 210 were issued, and it is safe to say that most examples are faulty to some degree. A document exists from July 24, 1874, detailing the purchaser of each. The Kingsley census records 76 copies, and a handful are known outside of the census.
Kingsley Census No. 28-7. Ex "Connoisseur." With 1974 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail is for a "very fine appearing example with a light circular cut cancel or with minor flaws".
2c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R104a). Rich colors, light strike of cut cancel handstamp, small closed tear at upper left, Fine appearance, with 1982 P.F. certificate
10c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R109a). Unused (traces of original gum), rich colors, light gum staining on a few perfs, still Fine, rare in unused condition, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as used
25c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R112a). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat "A.P. Dec. 19, 1871" manuscript cancel, thin spot at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 25-CENT SECOND ISSUE REVENUE INVERT. ONLY 16 ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records sixteen examples of the 25c Second Issue Invert, three of which are unused. Virtually all have faults including two repaired, one defective and one reperfed. The example offered here, with rich colors, choice centering and only a minor thin spot, is highly desirable.
With 1986 P.F. certificate.
2c Vermilion & Black, Third Issue (R135a). Large part original gum, brilliant color and perfectly aligned vignette, added perf at top left, otherwise Very Fine, reported to be the only known unused example of this stamp, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as used
$2.50 Claret & Black, Third Issue, Center Inverted (R146a). With wide top sheet margin (imperforate horizontally at top), rich colors, almost uncut herringbone cancel, some soiling, tiny thin speck at top mostly in marginFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.50 THIRD ISSUE REVENUE INVERT. ONLY FOURTEEN ARE RECORDED.
Larry Lyons in his privately published census records only fourteen copies of this invert rarity. Two are repaired and one has perfs trimmed away on two sides.
Ex Cunliffe. With 1967 P.F. certificate.
2c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB2a). Block of 101, deep rich colors, Sept. 21, 1872 manuscript cancels, few faults to be expected including some perf separations reinforced, creases and toned spots, Fine-Very Fine appearance, this is the largest recorded multiple, the next largest is a block of 24, Scott Retail as blocks and pairs $1,066.75
6c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB6a). Block of 36 with bottom imprint and plate no. selvage with both plate nos., original gum, few h.r. including some perf separations sensibly reinforced, few adherences, few small faults as often seen on large multiples, Fine-Very Fine appearance, this is the largest recorded multiple for this issue, the next largest is a block of 24, ex Joyce and Wampler, Scott Retail $3,050.00 as used blocks of four and pairs with no premium for the plate block