Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1869 Pictorial Issue
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and only two others have achieved this grade.
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Original gum, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND REMARKABLY FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $6,900.00 as 95, $11,700.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher to date.
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Original gum, brilliant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, tiny natural inclusionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Unlike many examples of the 10c 1869 Re-Issue, this stamp has vibrant color without any trace of oxidation.
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Original gum, deep rich color on fresh paper, Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A HUGE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 1976 P.F. certificate. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $4,350.00 as 85, $6,050.00 as 90).
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright colors, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 1983 P.F. certificate. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,750.00)
24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (130). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Very few examples of the 24c 1869 Re-Issue are as fresh and well-centered as the example offered here.
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Large part original gum, h.r., deep rich colors on bright paper, large marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Only 1,535 sold.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum in Mint N.H. state, incredibly deep rich colors and wonderful detailed impressions on brilliant white paper, beautifully centered with nicely balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IN POST-OFFICE FRESH CONDITION. PROBABLY ONLY TWO OR THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THIS RE-ISSUE EXIST. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
As beautiful as this 90c 1869 Re-issue is on the face, it is the back that is most remarkable. The gum is pristine, with a totally undisturbed pattern of crackles, which are characteristic of 1869 Re-issue original gum. Gum on high-value Re-issues is almost always hinged, for the simple reason that the stamps were sold by the Post Office Department to philatelists, who usually hinged them in 19th Century stamp albums, long before anyone imagined that the gum would one day be a significant aspect of condition. Very few blocks of the high-denomination Re-issues have ever been available, which limits the supply of Mint N.H. stamps out of broken blocks. In the case of the 90c 1869 Re-issue, the famous plate block is the only recorded block, and its existence suggests that other stamps may have been attached at one time and removed. Therefore, this stamp and the plate block may have the same provenance.
Ex Silver Lake and Cohen. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF 90). This is the only example graded by P.S.E. in Mint N.H. condition. Unpriced in SMQ or Scott as Mint N.H. This stamp realized $42,500 plus 10% in our Sale 866.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1993 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $15,700.00). Only three have graded higher, and only seven have achieved this lofty grade.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Only 1,356 sold.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Deep rich colors, light strike of purple cancel, probably a registry datestamp, single short perf at bottomFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PURPLE CANCEL.
Scott Retail with no premium for the cancel