Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, outstanding centering and margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Alan", with 2010 P.F. certificate
12c Intense Black, First Design (59). Original gum called "large part" on accompanying certificate but covers nearly the entire back, outstanding centering with balanced margins all around, deep dark shade and intense impression, tiny thin spot at topEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE BEST CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 12-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
The 12c is the rarest of the 1861 First Designs and Colors, with a total of 16 examples recorded, including one in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. Our census of the 12c 1861 First Design is available at https://www.siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/59 .
Census no. 59-OG-08. Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 276). With 1962 and 2019 P.F. certificates
30c Red Orange, First Color (61). Part original gum called "small part" on most recent certificate, vibrant color, centered to right with perfs just touching, light diagonal crease at top right (a typical characteristic of the 30c First Color)FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 30-CENT 1861 FIRST COLOR.
Our census of Scott 61, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/61 , contains a total of 33 examples, including one in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. Virtually all are centered to one side, and many are centered to two sides. A characteristic common to most examples of the 30c 1861 First Color is creasing, which in some cases is very severe and in others barely visible. Only six stamps with original gum are free of faults, and among those a few have a nibbed perf or two.
Census no. 61-OG-09. Ex Waterhouse, Crocker and "Ambassador" (Siegel Sale 300) and from our 1995 Rarities sale. With 1955 and 2008 P.F. certificates
90c Blue, First Design (62). Original gum, choice centering with well-balanced margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, slightly rounded corner at top left not mentioned on either accompanying certificate, tiny thin spot at top centerEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE SECOND RAREST STAMP OF THE 1861 FIRST DESIGNS AND COLORS. ONLY EIGHT EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM ARE RECORDED. A BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE CLASSIC STAMP.
Our census of Scott 62, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/62 , contains 22 examples, including one copy in the Miller Collection at the New York Public Library and another copy certified as a privately-perforated No. 62a, which comes from a set in the Col. Green sale that was signed by John Luff (we believe this stamp to be genuine). Another has been certified as genuine with a trial cancel. Excluding the NYPL copy and the ex-Green stamp just noted, only eight examples of the 90c First Design are available with original gum. Of these eight, only three are sound. The example offered here, with a tiny thin spot, has one of the least noticeable faults of the remaining five original-gum stamps.
Census no. 62-OG-03. Ex "Bayou" and Wingate. With 1955 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the tiny thin spot.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impression, tiny thin at top center, two slightly short perfs at left, otherwise Extremely Fine, a scarce stamp unused, with 1992 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense shade in the distinctive Dark Blue, well-balanced margins, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine, ex Morton, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $925.00)
3c Pink (64). Original gum, radiant color in the true Pink shade, vertical crease at centerVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK
The 3c 1861 Pink (Scott 64) is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition with fresh color. The nature of the ink used to print the 3c Pink shade is such that over the course of time, with exposure to light and other adverse elements, the color tends to oxidize or lose its vibrancy. The example offered here retains that vibrancy of color.
With 1954 A.P.S. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
3c Rose Pink (64b). Wide margins and fresh color, neat blue circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Morton, with 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
3c Rose (65). Block of four, attractive centering and margins, "Buffalo N.Y. Aug. 23" circular datestamps and bold strikes of patent cancel on top pair, Very Fine and choice, an attractive block with unusually clear strikes, ex Ishikawa, with 1996 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Imperforate (65c). Horizontal pair, unused (no gum), full margins, right stamp small thin spot at top, Very Fine appearance, with 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Unused (no gum), deep rich color in the distinctive Lake, Fine, Scott value as original gum
5c Buff (67). Rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1987 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Large part original gum, brilliant color, small corner crease at top right, short perf at top left not mentioned on certificateVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BROWN YELLOW SHADE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate as Scott 67 (Buff), stating "large part o.g. and a small corner crease at top left". We have described the brighter yellowish shades as 67a and the darker brownish shades as 67, regardless of certification, and lots may not be returned because of a difference of opinion as to shade.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright color on fresh paper, bold but virtually face-free grid cancel, well-centered, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Puliafito, with 1995 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Unused (no gum), wide margins and excellent centering, clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $850.00)
24c Red Lilac (70). Original gum, pretty shade, fresh and Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Unusually choice centering with well-proportioned margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Senchuk, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $900.00)
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Slightly disturbed original gum, pretty shade and detailed impression, Fine and attractive example, the color of which is a soft brownish shade, which is quite distinctive and much different than the Red Lilac (1862) or later Lilac (1863-66) printings, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, a single perf at lower left is mostly detached but is described on most recent certificate as "repaired" (we disagree)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen (with or without faults).
With clear 2001 P.F. certificate. With 2020 P.S.E. certificate describing the perf as repaired
24c Steel Blue (70b). Unused (traces of original gum), rich true Steel Blue color, intact perfs at bottom, small corner crease at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT IN THE STEEL BLUE SHADE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors.
With 1987 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates. Scott value as no gum
24c Steel Blue (70b). Beautiful color in the true Steel Blue shade, well-balanced margins, grid cancel, most recent certificate notes enhanced perf at upper left, Very Fine appearance, with 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates (latter is printout from P.F. website, certificate no longer accompanies)
30c Orange (71). Original gum, vivid color, fresh and Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Rich color, light target cancel, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Original gum, deep rich color, Fine and attractive, with 1958 and 1989 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Choice centering with wide margins, magnificent deep shade and proof-like impression, neat Boston "Paid" grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 1995, 1999 and 2017 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Block of 20, original gum, five stamps lightly hinged, seven stamps Mint N.H., crisp impression, several stamps are exceedingly well-centered, top left stamp thin spot, light diagonal crease affects three stamps at lower left, some perf separations at top rightFINE TO EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK WITH WELL-CENTERED STAMPS.
From our 1982 Rarities sale. With 1995 P.F. certificate not mentioning thin spot or perf separations. Scott value as four blocks of four and two pairs is $12,400.00
2c Black (73). Block of four, original gum, unusually well-centered for a Black Jack block, some perf separations including reinforced in bottom pair with additional gum which causes a couple faint stains, top left stamp tiny thin spot, otherwise Very Fine
2c Black (73). Block of four, original gum, centered to top and left, Fine, also includes used singles of Nos. 73 and 93 with wide margins, the last with 1987 P.F. certificate
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2c "Black Jack" Issue Balance. 26 items, including vertical half of No. 73 used with full stamp on defective cover, 73 single on cover with "DUE 2" handstamp, grill used with 1c 1869 Pictorial on cover, range of single frankings, few off cover such as No. 73 used graded 90 (corner crease), few illegal revenue uses, some faults, some Fine-Very Fine
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5c Red Brown (75). Deep rich color, well-centered, segmented cork cancel, fresh and Very Fine, ex Renne, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Radiant color complemented by blue Baltimore circular datestamp, Very Fine
15c Black (77). Original gum, detailed impression on bright paper, three wide margins, horizontal crease at left, few lightly toned perfs at bottom, otherwise Fine, scarce in original-gum condition
15c Black (77). Wide margins and well-centered, intense shade, mostly face-free cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00)
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, vivid color, faint horizontal crease at bottomFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING FROM THE ROTHFUCHS GROUP.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870's, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.
Ex Keeling
24c Lilac (78). Jumbo margins and choice centering, pastel shade complemented by bold blue target cancel and Baltimore Md. circular datestamp from a duplex device, an Extremely Fine Gem example of the Lilac shade (Scott 78) despite its conservative grade and incorrect identification as Scott 70, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate as No. 70, which it is not (VF 80 Jumbo), accompanied by the Dec. 1864 cover to England from which this stamp originates (and 2000 P.S.E. certificate for on-cover), the shade, paper and use in Dec. 1864 all point to Lilac, Scott 78
24c Lilac (78). Wide margins including huge straddle pane margin at right with centerline, dark shade, circular grid and trace of red cancels, Extremely Fine, a striking stamp, with 2020 P.F. certificate