Sale 1078 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 16-17 September, 2014
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues (Scott 148-225)
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, beautiful deep shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, outstanding quality for the 6c 1870 National Bank Note Co. issue
7c Vermilion (149). Unused (regummed), vibrant color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine
10c Brown (150). Original gum, small h.r., bright shade, wide margins, Very Fine
12c Dull Violet (151). Large part disturbed original gum, deep rich color, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance
30c Black (154). Unused (no gum), wide margins of near Jumbo proportions, intense shade with proof-like impression on white paper, Extremely Fine, unused examples of the 30c National Bank Note Co. printing in this extraordinary quality are few and far between, with 1974 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, small h.r., deep rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, single short perf at bottom rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $7,250.00). We are sure this would have graded much higher were it not for the single short perforation
3c Green (158). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color, bold "4" in target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $125.00 as 95, $425.00 as 98)
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, h.r., radiant color, wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, a beautiful stamp
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, reperfed at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate
6c Dull Pink (159). Radiant color, Jumbo margins, neat red circular datestamp and blue target cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00 as 95, $800.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and one other shares this grade, this is the highest-graded example we have offered in one of our auctions
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, paper h.r., incredible deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
A pretty stamp.
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, bright shade and detailed impression, almost perfectly centered with balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Lost among the 1870 National Grilled and Ungrilled Issues, 1875 Continental and 1880 American Bank Note Special Printings, and the 1879 and 1888 American Issues is the 30c 1873 Continental printing. Scott 165 is distinguished from its National counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations, and from its 1879 American counterpart by paper. Many philatelists -- even intermediate and advanced collectors -- have difficulty classifying Scott 165. 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 1972 P.F. certificate
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 30-CENT CONTINNTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
As explained in the previous lot description, the 30c Continental is rarely encountered in choice original-gum condition. This stamp has not been on the market for more than 50 years.
30c Gray Black (165). Intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, bold blue cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, intense shade, reperfed at top, Fine appearance
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as almost always but with full perforations on two sides, bright color and paper, small expert repair at lower right not readily apparentVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contain 45 certified examples.
Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-30. With 1973 A.P.S. certificate. PFC no. 36353 which states "genuine, slightly toned and with a small piece out at bottom" no longer accompanies.
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but with intact perforations on all four sides, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 168 contain only 56 copies certified as genuine.
Census No. 168-UNC-11. With 1982 P.F. certificate
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, radiant color, scissors-separated as usual but with intact perforations on all sidesVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 171 contain 70 certified examples. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side and in some cases two or three sides. The stamp offered here, with virtually intact perforations on all sides, superb centering, and remarkably vibrant color is, in our opinion, a great condition rarity.
Unpublished Census No. 171-UNC-29. With 1976 and 2013 P.F. certificates.
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, full perforations on all sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 175 contain approximately 100 examples.
Unpublished Census No. 175-UNC-06. With 1971 P.F. certificate.
2c Vermilion (178). Slightly disturbed original gum from hinge removal, exceptionally wide margins and vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 1976 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (178). Intense shade nicely complemented by blue circle of V's cancel, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $65.00 as 90, $325.00 as 95)
2c Vermilion (183). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
5c Blue (185). Original gum, deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine
6c Pink (186). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, choice centering with well-balanced margins, reperfed at right (and possibly at bottom), Extremely Fine appearance
10c Brown, With & Without Secret Mark (187-188-188). Horizontal strip of three, left stamp without secret mark, right stamps clearly showing secret mark, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colorFRESH AND FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM COMBINATION MULTIPLE OF THE 10-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH AND WITHOUT SECRET MARK.
Scott Retail as pair and single of No. 188
10c Brown, With & Without Secret Mark (187-188). Horizontal pair, left stamp without secret mark, tied by Supplementary Mail duplex on piece, Very Fine, a scarce combination pair
10c Brown, With & Without Secret Mark (187-188). Block of six, bottom left and bottom right stamps with secret marks, others without, bold New York duplex cancels, some faults, still Fine-Very Fine and scarce combination multiple
30c Full Black (190). Original gum, deep shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, nibbed perf at lower left, still Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp
30c Full Black (190). Unused (regummed), intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as no gum
90c Carmine (191). Original gum, brilliant color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice
90c Rose (191). Original gum, minor disturbance from hinge removal, lovely pastel color, Very Fine, with 1973 P.F. certificate
2c Black Brown, Special Printing (193). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, thin spots and short perf at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 193 contain 48 certified examples, of which almost half have faults.
Unpublished Census No. 193-UNC-13. Small blue backstamp. With 1990 P.F. certificate
1c Gray Blue (206). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine
6c Rose (208). Original gum, h.r., radiant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Slightly disturbed original gum from hinge removal, well-centered, bright color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 1979 A.P.S. certificate as 6c Rose No. 208
10c Brown (209). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1882 10-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to an unused example in any gum category and only one other shares it. The highest grade for an unused example we have previously offered in one of our auctions is a 95.
10c Brown (209). Mint N.H., deep rich color, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine
4c Carmine (215). Mint N.H., rich color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice
5c Indigo, Imperforate (216b). Horizontal pair, minor h.r. and slight gum disturbance, handsome nearly perfectly balanced margins, intense color, Extremely Fine, ex Grunin, with 1971 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, very lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, tiny thin spot at top center, Very Fine appearance
90c Purple (218). Unused (regummed), deep rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp
90c Purple (218). Deep rich color, neat New York registry oval cancel, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. and 1995 P.S.E. certificates
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H., choice centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $575.00 as 90, $1,750.00 as 95)
6c Brown Red (224). Original gum, barely hinged, rich color, perfectly centered margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $325.00 as 95), this is the only example to achieve this grade which is the highest awarded
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H. with wide sheet margin at right, post-office fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate