Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderfully well-centered, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
1c Buff (112). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, lovely bright color, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Buff (112). Incredibly wide Jumbo margins, rich color, small odd grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $430 as 90, $1,200.00 as 95)
1c Buff (112). Brilliant color nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, colored town markings are scarce on the 1c 1869 (and rare on high-grade stamps), with 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $430.00)
1c Buff (112). Essentially precise centering, nice color, bold four-ring target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $430.00)
2c Brown (113). Original gum, radiant color, crisp impression, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00 as 90, $3,650.00 as 95). Only three have graded higher to date.
2c Brown (113). Original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly choice wide margins, essentially perfectly centered, lovely rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Original gum, wonderfully well-centered with attractive margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,250.00)
2c Brown (113). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with incredibly strong depth of color seldom seen on this Pictorial Issue value, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Unused (no gum), deep rich color with clear impression, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $335.00)
2c Brown (113). Bright shade, detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $730.00), only two have graded higher to date
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill (114 var). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, brilliant color, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perfs all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH SPLIT GRILL.
With 1995 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ with the split grill, SMQ as normal $1,750.00 as 90, $3,500.00 as 95). Scott Retail as hinged
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill (114 var.). Mint N.H., crisp and bright, Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Ultramarine (114). Original gum, lightly hinged, handsome wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, bright shade, fresh crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, exceptionally well-centered, beautiful bright pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.S.E. certificate for block of four (bottom left stamp)
3c Ultramarine (114). Pair with full imprint and wide selvage at top, original gum, folded horizontally along perfs which are intact, Very Fine, attractive pair, Scott Retail without premium for selvage
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
With 1976 and 2000 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $8,050.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, incredibly well-centered, fresh and bright, reperfed at right (not described as such on P.F. certificate), Extremely Fine appearance, with 1991 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Unused (no gum), brilliant color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,650.00)
6c Ultramarine (115). Brilliant color, huge margins, bold strike of grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $580.00 as 90, $1,600.00 as 95)
6c Ultramarine (115). Wide margins, attractive light pastel color and only the barest trace of a cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates
6c Ultramarine (115). Radiant color on bright paper, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, unusually choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1990 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,400.00)
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE IN A REMARKABLY FRESH STATE OF PRESERVATION.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,350.00)
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, unusually well-centered and with bright vivid colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, incredibly well-centered, beautiful deep rich color, expertly reperfed at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1985 P.F. certificate which does not mention the reperfing
10c Yellow (116). Part original gum, rich color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Unused (no gum), exceptional centering and lovely bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
10c Yellow (116). Unused (no gum), vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Wide margins and essentially flawless centering, exceptionally strong color, neat grid of squares cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, lovely used single, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
10c Yellow (116). Rich color, well-proportioned margins, bold strike of target cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
10c Yellow (116). Rich color on bright paper, neat strikes of quartered cork and grid cancels, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
10c Yellow (116). Jumbo margins, radiant color, quartered cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, beautifully centered with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP, WITH GORGEOUS CENTERING, WIDE MARGINS, LONG AND FULL PERFORATIONS AND STRONG COLOR, HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1983 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $13,200.00). Only two share this grade and only two have graded higher to date.
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive margins and wonderfully well-centered, deep rich color, single creased perf at top right, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate that does not mention the perf crease
12c Green (117). Original gum, three wide margins, crease at bottom, otherwise Fine
12c Green (117). Unused (no gum), uncommonly wide margins (almost a Jumbo) and exceptional centering, attractive pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and remarkably detailed impression, vignette-free strike of quartered cork cancel, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,100.00 as 95, $2,350.00 as 98)
12c Green (117). Bright shade, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, almost perfectly centered with wide margins all around, unobtrusive segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
12c Green (117). Magnificent Jumbo margins and incredible centering, rich color, neat quartered square cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $405.00 as 90, $1,100.00 as 95)
12c Green (117). Choice margins and centering, handsome strong color, small cork cancel and rim of circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $255.00)
12c Green (117). Rich color, wide margins, large open grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Wide margins, rich color, segmented cork cancel, small thin spot at top, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2007 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Bright colors, Jumbo margins all around, bold strike of large grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00 as 90, $4,000.00 as 95)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Incredibly well-centered, deep rich colors, light cork cancel leaving the vignette completely visible, also a bit of red transit at bottom left, Extremely Fine, signed Weill and with 1987 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Choice wide margins and very well-centered, fresh colors, circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine and attractive, with 1987 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Choice margins and handsome centering, excellent colors and fine impression, light central cork cancel and bit of blue French transit at bottom, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions (so much so that at first glance we thought this was the Re-Issue until we saw the clear grill), wide and balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $6,750.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, beautifully centered with attractive margins, both the vignette and the frame with strong colorsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors on bright paper, almost perfectly centered, neat strike of rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,850.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only three others share this grade
24c Green & Violet (120). Small part original gum, paper h.r., bright colors, thin spot at top, Very Good appearance
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide margins and choice centering, bright colors, cork cancel, adherence on back, Extremely Fine
24c Green & Violet (120). Well-centered, deep rich colors, very faint red cancel confined to the top margin leaving the central vignette completely distraction free, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Exceptionally wide balanced margins, rich colors and neat quartered cork cancel, a few partly nibbed perfs, still Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
24c Green & Violet, Without Grill (120a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, centered to top left as often but perfs clear of frameFINE AND EXTREMELY RARE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
Our survey of auction catalogs and Philatelic Foundation records produced 21 examples of the 24c 1869 Without Grill (Scott 120a), of which half have faults.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet, Without Grill (120a). Slightly disturbed original gum, beautiful colors and proof-like impression, reperfed at leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL. POSSIBLY THE MOST CHALLENGING OF THE 1869 WITHOUT GRILL VARIETIES.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted (120b). Rich colors, unobtrusive cork cancel leaves inverted vignette clearly visible, trace of red cancel at bottom right, centered to top left, small thin spotAN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT.
Our published 1869 Invert census (with unpublished updates) contains 89 copies of the perforated 24c Invert, including four unused stamps and multiples.
Census No. 120b-CAN-NW01. With 1951 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Unused (no gum), brilliant colors, tiny corner crease at top right, appears Fine
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Brilliant colors on bright paper, bold strike of Shanghai, China segmented cork cancel, unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, cork cancels and additional lightened crayon on bottom pair, reperfed at left, small repair at top right, Fine appearance, with 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Disturbed original gum, unusually wide margins, balanced at sides, wonderful colors and clear impressionFINE. HANDSOME UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THIS 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE TOP VALUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Choice margins and almost perfectly centered, strong frame color and vignette shade, unusual single-wedge cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY DESIRABLE USED 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL FROM THE HIGH END OF THE QUALITY SPECTRUM.
With 1992 and 2002 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,600.00)
90c Carmine & Black (122). Enormous Jumbo margins, light strike of cork cancel, light diagonal crease ending in tiny tear at bottom left, Extremely Fine Gem appearance, with 1992 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Exceptionally well-centered, large bar grid cancel, some very slight surface rubbing in a couple places, really hard to detect, otherwise Very Fine and choice, with 1981 P.F. certificate that makes no mention of surface rubbing
90c Carmine & Black (122). Wide margins, grid of bars cancel virtually clear of the central vignette, small thin spot and insignificant corner perf crease, Fine and attractive
90c Carmine & Black (122). Three huge margins, strong colors, thick bars cancel, couple small thin spots, Fine appearance
90c Carmine & Black, Without Grill (122a). Large part original gum, remarkably well-centered, wonderful impression with strong frame color and intense vignette, light creaseEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITHOUT GRILL.
With 2007 P.F. certificate