Sale 1118 — The Don David Price Iconic Collection of U.S. Bicolored Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday, 15 March, 2016
Category — 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue Stamps (Scott 121)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Position 100 with bottom right corner sheet selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, rich colors, unusual and interesting plate wash in selvage from vignette impression, which is shifted downwardsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM CORNER SHEET SELVAGE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Ex Moody and "Lafayette". With 1984 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Positions 86/94-96, unused (no gum) multiple comprising four stamps with sheet selvage showing part imprint and full "No. 21" plate number in Carmine from Eagle and Shield plate, and Ultramarine and Carmine "T" alignment markers at bottom, additional Carmine "No." at right, unusual red fingerprint from pressman on back of lefthand selvageFINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED UNUSED PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE REGULARLY-ISSUED 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE -- ONLY ONE OTHER USED SINGLE WITH A PLATE NUMBER IS RECORDED. AN IMPORTANT PIECE.
The 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue was printed from separate plates: the Eagle and Shield plate with imprint at bottom (in Carmine), and the Draped Flags plate with imprint at top (in Ultramarine). The 30c 1869 Double Paper/Without Grill variety exists in top and bottom imprint multiples, which show that the Flags plate did not have a plate number at one point (see lot 110); however, plate proofs exist with the "No. 21" present, so it is possible that issued stamps exist with the plate number at top in Ultramarine. No top-margin examples of the normal 30c 1869 are known, with or without imprint or plate number. Therefore, it is impossible to say with certainty that the regular 30c stamps were printed from a Flags plate with plate numbers or without (see Chronicle 217 for an article by Scott R. Trepel on this subject).
Ex "Lafayette"
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Position 97 with bottom plate no. 21 and part imprint (from Carmine Eagle and Shield plate) in selvage, bright colors, vignette shifted slightly downwards, light strike of circular datestamp cancel, pulled perf and thin spot at right, few perf separations expertly reinforced (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), otherwise Fine, this is the only recorded used example of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue with the plate number, only one is known unused (offered in lot 98), see Chronicle 217 for an article by Scott R. Trepel on 30c 1869 imprints, with 1998 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Horizontal pair, original gum, rich colors, unusual additional Carmine printer's ink at bottomFINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The largest recorded unused multiple of the regularly-issued 30c 1869, Scott 121, is a block of six.
Ex Frelinghuysen.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Unused (no gum), fresh and bright colors, striking upward vignette shift, few nibbed or short perfs at right, otherwise Fine
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, bright colors and detailed impressions, unobtrusive cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 1997 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,700.00). Three others have 95 Jumbo grades, but this stamp is a rival to each and every one of them
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, deep red cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, vignette with significant 1.5mm shift to left, unobtrusive cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of twelve, bright colors, cork cancels, few flaws including piece out at bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BLOCK OF TWELVE IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The largest recorded unused multiple is a block of six. The largest recorded used multiple is a block of twelve, of which three or four are known.
Ex Frelinghuysen. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and two pairs.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, rich colors, cork cancels, some sensibly reinforced perf separations, few light creases, Very Fine appearance, a scarce used block, almost all used blocks of the 30c 1869 have heavy cancels, this is much more attractive than usual, ex Dr. Heimburger
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, cork cancels and also red cancels on top stamps, badly misaligned perforations with part of vignette captured in adjoining stamps at top, few light wrinkles or creases