Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
Post Office Department Announcement of 1869 Pictorial Issue. Printed notice dated March 1, 1869, from A. N. Zevely, Third Assistant Postmaster General, describing 1869 Issue and specifically noting denomination change from 5c to 6c and size of 1c-12c sheets (150 vs. 100), accompanied by printed card with description of the ten values, excellent collateral lot, ex Coulter
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Hybrid Large Die Proofs on India (112P1-122P1). Stamp size and mounted on approximately 181 x 225mm cards with drawn-in die sinkage area, including one 15c (Ty. II), with evidence of binding at left, accompanied by black leather gold-stamped presentation album, titled on front "PROOFS. United States Postage Stamps, Series of 1869, Engraved by the National Bank Note Company, New York.", some wear, still fresh and Very Fine, these were likely presented to dignitaries
1c-12c 1869 Pictorial Issue (112-117). Each with interpane margin at one side, cancels including red on 6c, few different grids, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine group, 10c with 1989 P.F. certificate
1c Buff (112). Bright shade on crisp paper, neat quartered cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
1c Buff (112). Block of four, tied on piece by violet manuscript cancels, top right stamp small tear at top center, bottom left stamp small corner creases, some perf separations, still Very Fine and scarce used block, ex Lafayette, with 2003 P.F. certificate
1c Buff (112). Horizontal block of six, radiant color, neat strikes of circle of V's cancel, few expertly rejoined perf separations, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, used blocks are considerable scarcer than unused partly due to the ready availability of higher denominations to pay different rates, our Power Search located the block of twelve (largest recorded used multiple), a pen-cancelled block of six and a block of four, this block and two others have identical cork cancellations, indicating they came from the same correspondence, ex Heimburger, Scott Retail as block of four and pair
1c-3c 1869 Pictorial Issue (112-114). Five covers, including 1c used locally in Canastota N.Y., 1c on tax notice, 2c on yellow corner card cover for music store, 3c tied by purple Eaton O. circular datestamp on U.S. Internal Revenue corner card cover, last is 3c on forwarded cover, minor edgewear, Very Fine group
2c Brown (113). Block of four, original gum, h.r., rich color, some perf separations sensibly reinforced, appears Very Fine
2c Brown (113). Gorgeous centering with wide margins, neat quartered cork and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
2c Brown (113). Block of four, bright color, unusually well-centered, neat strikes of Negative Star cancels, Very Fine and choice, scarce used block
2c Brown, Half Used as 1c (113c). Bottom right diagonal half in pair with full stamp, tied by target cancel, partly readable strike of "Shade Gap Pa. Nov. 3" circular datestamp on cover with beautiful dove and ribbon address banner to Mount Union Pa., with original 1869 enclosure, opening nick at top right edgeVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 1869 PICTORIAL USAGE WITH THE 2-CENT BISECT PAYING PART OF THE 3-CENT RATE ON A DECORATIVE "DOVE AND RIBBON" COVER.
Ex Lake Shore. With 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $6,000.00
3c Ultramarine (114). Top right corner margin block of 20 comprising the top two rows of the sheet, natural s.e. at left with almost full arrow, imprint and plate no. 26 at top, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh color but some overall toning from gum, top left stamp small tear in selvage onlyFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Scott Retail $10,850.00 as a plate block, two blocks of four and a pair.
3c Ultramarine (114). Block of four, rich color, light strikes of cork cancel and part of red transit at bottom right, top right stamp light diagonal crease, appears Extremely Fine
3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by blue target cancel, matching "Cincinnati O. Apr. 8" circular datestamp on oversize Big Fun Elephant illustrated corner card cover for an illustrated monthly comic paper to West York N.H., humorous slogans including "If this is not called for within 30 days, the Postmaster will please hand it to the Ugliest Man or Wittiest Woman calling at his office", some expert restoration along edges, stamp with pulled perf at top, still Very Fine and wonderful cover, ex Gabriel
5c Washington, Large Lettering, Large Die Essay on Proof Paper (115-E1c). Deep Blue, 39 x 65mm, fresh and Very Fine
6c Ultramarine (115). Brilliant color on crisp paper, wide margins and precise centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00), only one has graded higher and only three others share this grade
6c Ultramarine (115). Block of four, brilliant color and detailed impression, neat town circular datestamp and quartered cork cancels, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, small closed tear at bottom leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST OF THE TWO OR THREE KNOWN USED BLOCKS OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A WONDERFUL RARITY.
In his book United States Postage Stamps of 1869, Jonathan Rose records only two or three used blocks. To underscore their rarity, none was present in either the Juhring, Rose, Kuphal, Mack, Coulter, Eubanks, Heimburger or other specialized collections of the 1869 Pictorials we sold recently.
Ex Pitcher, Ishikawa and Twigg-Smith. With 1993 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $9,000.00
6c Ultramarine (115). Tied by cork cancel, "Great Falls N.H. Feb 27" circular datestamp on cover with printed U.S. naval address to London England, New York transit, London receiving and B.F. Stevens Despatch Agent handstamp, slightly reduced at right, Fine, ex Rose and Lafayette
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, choice centering with wide margins, bold target cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Lafayette, with 1990 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Block of four, vibrant color, lightened manuscript cancel, few faults including thin spot and horizontal crease at bottom, Fine appearance, only five used blocks of four are recorded, which is the largest-size used block (a used strip of six is known), Scott Retail $8,000.00
10c Yellow (116). Tied by "N. York Steamship Jan. 21" circular datestamp on blue 1870 folded cover from St. Thomas D.W.I. to New York, stationer's watermark and "Schon, Willink & Co., St. Thomas Jan. 11, 1870" company oval datestamp, endorsed "pr South America", light horizontal file fold well clear of stamp and markings, fresh and Very Fine, scarce St. Thomas origin for the 10c 1869 Pictorial
12c Green (117). Block of 37, deep rich color, very heavily cancelled -- the postmaster evidently wanted to make sure this could never be reused -- some faults to be expected in such a large multipleTHIS IS BY FAR THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The next largest used multiple is a block of twelve.
Ex Lafayette. Scott Retail $13,940.00 as seven blocks of four, four pairs and a single
12c Green (117). Intense shade, tied by crossroads, "Newburyport Mass. Feb. 28" circular datestamp on 1870 cover to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, receiving backstamp, slightly reduced at top and small piece out at upper left, Fine use to a scarce destination, ex Gallagher
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Bright colors and crisp impressions, wide margins, unobtrusive cancels, fresh and Extremely Fine, a stamp with wonderful visual appeal, with 1985 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Horizontal block of six, full original gum, intense colors and impressions, small closed tear in bottom left stampFINE AND WONDERFULLY FRESH BLOCK OF SIX WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
Ex Caspary, Bechtel and Zoellner. With 1998 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $25,000.00 for block and pair
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Deep rich colors, tied by cork, red "New York Paid 3 Apr. 20" credit datestamp on 1869 folded letter to Gironde, France, red boxed "PD" handstamp, appropriate transits, minor edgewear, Fine example of the 15c Type I on cover, with 1985 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $1,900.00
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Cancelled by cork, "Middleborough Mass. Dec. 28" circular datestamp on 1869 cover to Constantinople, Turkey, tied by red New York transit circular datestamp, Austrian office in Constantinople receiving backstamp, slightly reduced at top and some edge flaws, stain at upper left, still Fine, ex Lafayette
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide and balanced margins, intense colors and impressions on bright paper, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
This marvelous used 24c 1869 defies the norms of this issue. Although the space between subjects on the 24c 1869 frame plate provided ample room for perforations, the National Bank Note Co. employees had difficulty applying lines of perforations in a uniform manner. Therefore, stamps with balanced margins on all four sides represent a tiny fraction of the original population. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. In this stamp we have a degree of perfection rarely achieved by the manufacturer and a fortuitously merciful cancellation, leaving most of the design unobscured.
Ex Senchuk and Merlin. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
24c Green & Violet (120). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, unobtrusive strike of circle of wedges cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so the example offered here.
Ex Natalee Grace. With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,500.00). Only five have graded higher (the highest at 98).
24c Green & Violet (120). Block of four, deep rich colors on bright paper, circle of wedges cancel, top left stamp with two small tears at top, other three stamps sound, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. ARGUABLY THE FINEST AND MOST ATTRACTIVE OF THE SIX RECORDED USED BLOCKS OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The six recorded used blocks of the 24c 1869, excluding the unique Invert block, are listed here (identified by last known pedigree): 1) ex Rose, VF centering, fancy circle of V's cancel neatly struck on each stamp, minor wrinkling causing light creasing, top right stamp small margin tear, offered in Siegel Sale 794; 2) ex Bechtel, EF centering, circular cork cancels over each vignette; 3) ex Ishikawa and Eubanks, VF centering, circle of wedges cancel, left stamps few small tears, the block offered here; 4) ex Anderson, Fine centering to top right, circle of wedges cancel; 5) ex Klein, Fine centering to left, quartered cork cancels, light corner crease at bottom right and several rejoined perfs; and 6) ex Lopez, perfs cutting in at right, cork cancels.
Ex Ishikawa and Eubanks. With 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $20,000.00
24c Green & Violet (120). Centered to right, rich colors, tiny corner crease at bottom right ends in minute margin tear between perfs, tied by segmented cork cancel, red "New York Paid All Jun. 5" (1869) circular datestamp on small cover to Edinburgh, Scotland, receiving backstampFINE-APPEARING STAMP ON A SMALL FRESH COVER. VERY RARE SINGLE FRANKING WITH THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL PAYING THE DOUBLE 12-CENT RATE TO SCOTLAND.
Ex Lake Shore. With 1987 and 2005 P.F. certificates, the former as sound and latter stating "small corner crease at bottom right"
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, choice centering with well-balanced margins, bold strike of New York Leaf cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Twigg-Smith
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, unusually choice centering throughout, rich colors, typical cancel applied more lightly than usual, leaving most of design clearly visible, few slight natural paper creases at bottomVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARILY CHOICE USED BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1973 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $3,750.00
30c Blue & Carmine (121). Horizontal block of twelve, showing typical black cancellation, few perf separations and nibbed perfsFINE AND SCARCE. 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 Rose. Scott Retail $9,500.00 as two blocks of four and two pairs
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, cancelled by 5-bar grid, tied by "Santa Cruz Cal. 22 Apr." (1870) circular datestamp on cover to Locarno, Switzerland, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit May 2" transit datestamp, blue "2" for double rate, Basel and Locarno backstamps, masterfully repaired tear across lower right corner (not affecting stamp) and cleaned with some letters of address strengthenedVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL COVERS TO SWITZERLAND AND AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE CALIFORNIA ORIGIN.
Ex Lake Shore. Signed Ashbrook. With 2005 P.F. certificate.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, rich colors and crisp impressions, virtually face-free strike of cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, older P.F. certificate notes small corner creases, if these are present they are very faint and are not mentioned on the 2008 P.S.E. certificateEXTREMELY FINE GEM APPEARANCE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1997 P.F. certificate stating "small corner creases" and 2008 P.S.E. certificate as sound (Superb 98 Jumbo).
90c Carmine & Black (122). Block of four, beautiful deep rich Carmine color and intense vignette impression, black cork and red cork cancels, perfs sensibly reinforced, light creases affect all stamps, small sealed tear by nibbed perf on bottom left stampFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE USED BLOCKS OF FOUR IN PRIVATE HANDS, AND THE ONLY ONE TO BEAR A RED CANCEL. A GREAT RARITY.
Seven used blocks are recorded. The largest recorded used multiple is a block of six, which, along with a used block of four, are part of the Hirzel collection in the Swiss Postal Museum. As a further indication of rarity, this is the first used block we have offered since this same block was sold in our 2001 Twigg-Smith sale. None were offered in the Kuphal, Mack, Coulter, Eubanks, Heimburger or other important sales of the 1869 Pictorial Issue.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1969 P.F. certificate noting "a few minute defects". Scott Retail $55,000.00