Sale 983 — The Hampshire Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues
1c Ultramarine, Grill (134). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill, radiant color, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Vineyard. With 2007 A.P.S. and 2003 and 2008 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
2c Red Brown, Grill (135). H. Grill, original gum, noticeable row of horizontal grill points, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2001 and 2008 P.F. certificates
3c Green, Grill (136). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh, wonderful color, Very Fine and attractive, with 1983 and 2009 P.F. certificates
6c Carmine, Grill (137). H. Grill, original gum, pencil notation on back, brilliant color and proof-like impression, several noticeable rows of grill points, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BRIGHT AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Hoffman. With 2003 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion, Grill (138). H. Grill, unusually strong grill points clearly visible from front of the stamp, original gum, brilliant colorVERY FINE. A REMARKABLY PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Vineyard and Hoffman. With 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
10c Brown, Grill (139). H. Grill, original gum, well-defined grill points at right, few lightly gum soaked perfs at bottomFINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, End Roller Grill (140 var). H. Grill, right third of the stamp with clearly-defined grill points, cancel removed, light horizontal crease and small tear at bottom, appears Fine, scarce grill variety, this is the listing copy, with 1980 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, Grill (141). H. Grill, disturbed original gum with some light overall gum staining, bright colorVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1984 and 2003 P.F. certificates
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, radiant color, unusually choice centering with balanced margins, small natural spot on chin in printed ink mentioned only on most recent certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Ex Odeneal. With 1989, 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (150). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense color, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1870 UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Ex Hoffman. With 1997 and 2004 P.F. certificates
12c Dull Violet (151). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, fresh and Very Fine, ex Hoffman, with 2001 P.F. certificate
30c Black (154). Original gum, crisp impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
In recent years, we have offered a few superb original-gum examples of the 30c Bank Note issues, including the Continental printing, Scott 165. Collectors have recognized the rarity of these stamps, bidding aggressively for the best stamps and often setting record prices. The Ungrilled National printing Scott 154 is particularly difficult to find in such choice condition.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine (155). Original gum with selvage at right, lightly hinged, beautiful rich color and detailed impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE IS RARE IN CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 1870 90c National Ungrilled Issue, Scott 155, is somewhat overshadowed by its grilled counterpart, Scott 144. Collectors are also misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 90c 1873 Continental. Although the difference in shades is distinct, collectors have a tendency to confuse the two and under-rate the 1870 National printing. Only a few original-gum examples of Scott 155 have the centering, color and freshness of the stamp offered here.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (156). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition, SMQ $760.00 as hinged), this is the highest grade awarded to date to a Mint N.H. copy (two others share this grade), Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (157). Original gum, virtually precise centering, incredible depth of color and with a sharp impression, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, fresh and crisp with extraordinary deep color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Green, With Grill (158e). Block of four, original gum, Fine, difficult to find in multiples, Scott Retail as four singles
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, barely hinged if at all, nicely centered, crisp pastel color, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, choice centering with unusually wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Ex Odeneal. With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (161). Original gum, deep shade, well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, a lovely example of this scarce Continental issue, with 1992 and 2008 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (161). Block of ten, original gum, positions 6 and 7 Mint N.H., balance lightly hinged, deep rich color, faint horizontal bends not noted on accompanying certificate, top left stamp with tiny corner creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and a pair with no premium for the two Mint N.H stamps.
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, beautiful dark Continental shade, three balanced margins but centered a bit low, still Fine and well above the usual quality for this difficult issue, with 2004 P.F. certificate
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, radiant color, trivial natural inclusionVERY FINE. THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL IS AMONG THE MOST ELUSIVE OF THE REGULAR BANK NOTE ISSUES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Although defined by a secret mark, the 15c Continental, Scott 163, is very difficult to distinguish from its National counterpart, Scott 152. Certain shades and impressions of the 15c Continental closely match certain National printings, and the secret mark is often undetectable. However, the stamp offered here has what we believe are characteristics unique to Continental's work. The shade is very bright and yellowish. The secret mark in the upper left triangle is also prominently featured in this impression. There is simply no question that this is a 15c Continental. Off-center stamps are the norm, and original gum is a rare commodity in this issue.
Ex Hoffman. With 1990 P.F. certificate
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, charcoal gray shade, fine impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, go to any serious collection and look for this stamp, and most of the time it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30c 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare -- for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six — which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples. We hope that collectors who still have a tendency to overlook the 30c Continental will be awakened to its rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition by our comments and recent realizations.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion, With Grill (178c). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, clearly-defined grill, fresh and Fine, ex Geisler, with 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Hoffman, with 2004 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (183). Original gum, lightly hinged, excellent centering and vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
3c Green (184). Original gum, choice margins and perfectly centered, fresh, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (185). Original gum, small h.r., almost perfectly centered, bright color and clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
6c Pink (186). Original gum, unusually well-centered, deep rich color and incredibly intense impression showing all of the engraving lines in sharp detail -- rarely seen on this issue, which is normally found with a weak mottled impression on yellowish paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Original gum, attractive shade and crisp impressionFRESH AND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITHOUT SECRET MARK.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Original gum, h.r., exceptionally fresh, natural winkle and small inclusion, otherwise Fine and attractive
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, small hinge mark, brilliant color, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1882 LINCOLN ISSUE WITH ENORMOUS MARGINS.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00 as 95, $3,700.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade in any category and only one has graded higher to date.
10c Yellow Brown (209 var). Mint N.H., radiant color in the Yellow Brown sub-shade, Very Fine and choice, ex Hoffman, with 2003 P.F. certificate
4c Blue Green (211). Original gum, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate, also incl. Mint N.H. No. 210, Fine
1c Ultramarine (212). Mint N.H., superbly centered with wide margins, beautiful pastel color, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, ex Odeneal, with 2007 P.F. certificate
4c Carmine (215). Most recent certificate states Mint N.H. with spots of gum glazing, deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Odeneal, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
5c Indigo (216). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, fresh and Extremely Fine, a stamp with tremendous visual appeal, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
90c Purple (218). Original gum, lightly hinged, part imprint selvage at top, wonderful dark color and sharp impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, eye-catching single in splendid condition, with 2009 P.F. certificate