Sale 913 — 2006 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 May, 2006
Category — 1861-66 Issue
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with perforations well clear of design on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN.
This stamp is extremely difficult to find in well-centered, sound, unused condition. This is partly due to the narrow spacing on Plate 4, which produced this First Design (Type I, Scott 58 and 62B).
With 1965 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue (63). Bright color, tied by perfect strike of Waterbury Leaf fancy cancel (Rohloff L-2), neat strike of "Waterbury Con. Aug. 30, 1866" double-circle datestamp on Travelers Insurance Co. return address cover used locally, some toning around perfs and few toned spots on cover, small opening tears at topEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS STRIKE RECORDED ON A ONE-CENT STAMP.
In his census, William T. Crowe records sixteen covers with the Rohloff Ty. L-2. This is the only one on a 1c stamp.
Ex Matthies and Houser. With 1990 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (63). Cancelled by ms. "3" and affixed to orange cover with press-printed "Cumberland Me. Mar." circular datestamp with ms. "20" date, part-printed address to Dover Me., ms. "1863" yeardate at right, cover with horizontal crease and small tear at left, Very Fine appearance, scarce usage, there is some debate as to whether the stamps were applied before the datestamp was press-printed, it is possibly that this was done, the cover offered here with the stamp cancelled by ms. "3" may have been uprated at the time of usage, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue (63). Bright color, cancelled by neat "Cumberland Me. April 24" precancel, tiny perf thin at top right, Fine appearing example of this rare precancel which, in this case, was press-printed directly on the envelopes after the stamps were applied, Evans notes that probably no more than three or four exist, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Horizontal pair and single, bright color, used with 1c Blue (63) and tied by "Paid" ovals, red "Boston Mass. Nov. 8" circular datestamp on cover with embossed Telegraphic Fire Alarm design to Toronto, Canada, red "United States" oval, 1861 receiving backstamp, barely reduced at leftEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT USAGE OF A PAIR AND SINGLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK ON A COVER TO CANADA.
Ex Worthington and Moody. With note on back and signed by Ashbrook. With 1974 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Original gum, bright color and detailed impression, Fine and rare, with 1985 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins and choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN TERMS OF COLOR, IMPRESSION, CENTERING, AND FRESHNESS OF PAPER AND GUM.
With a growing awareness by collectors that 1861 Issues (5c and up) are exceedingly scarce in well-centered, original-gum condition, we would expect this stamp to draw keen competition. Although one finds the 24c unused without gum in this grade, original-gum examples are often poorly centered or faulty. Only on rare occasions has our firm offered a 24c Red Lilac of this quality. The 1861-62 Red Lilac shade is actually one of the scarcest of the 24c color varieties to find in sound well-centered original-gum condition, despite its lower Scott catalogue value relative to the other shades.
With 1983 and 1994 P.F. certificates.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, remarkably choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. ONE OF THE RAREST ORIGINAL-GUM STAMPS IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. We feel this is nearly as rare as the Blackish Violet, which has a catalogue value of $60,000.00.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Slightly disturbed original gum with some slight overall gum staining, radiant color, choice centering with wide margins for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PALE GRAY VIOLET SHADE ON THIN PAPER IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM AND CENTERED CONDITION. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
A review of our computerized records shows we have only offered one original-gum example in the past twelve years, which was off-center and repaired. None was offered in major name-sales collections, including Caspary, Floyd, Weisman or Lyons. It may well be the rarest of the 1861 Issue shades to obtain with original gum
With 2002 P.F. certificate
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Deep rich color and detailed impression nicely contrasted by red target cancel, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT PALE GRAY VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
With 1988 P.F. certificate.
30c Orange (71). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, unusually choice centering with perfectly-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
30c Orange (71). Radiant color, tied by quartered cork, red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Feb. 10" circular datestamp on folded letter to Malta, endorsed "p Australian", clear strike of blue "London FE 20, 1864" and "Malta MR 1, 1864" backstamps, horizontal file fold well away from the stampVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE 30-CENT 1861 USAGE TO MALTA. ONLY FIVE ARE KNOWN TO THIS DESTINATION.
Franked by the sender to pay the 30c rate via French Mails, the cover was found to be overweight and so was sent at the 5c British Open Mail rate. The cover was treated as unpaid by Great Britain, who debited Malta 1sh8p for the 8p transatlantic postage, 6p rate from Great Britain to Malta, and a 6p fine for the unpaid letter.
Ex Paliafito
90c Blue (72). Original gum, radiant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE. A REMARKABLY FRESH STAMP.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India, Vermilion "Specimen" Ovpt. (73P1S). Mounted on 153 x 228mm card, green "Specimen Postage Stamp from the National Bank Note Company No. 1 Wall Street New York" at bottom of card, trivial edgewear, Very Fine, very rare, from National Bank Note Co. sample book, the Die I large die proof is exceedingly rare -- none were offered in major Black Jack sales, except with the "Specimen" overprint as offered here
2c Black, Die II, Large Die Proof on India (73aP1). On 37 x 48mm card, die no. "1030" at bottom, Very Fine, rare large die proof
2c Black, Atherton Shift, Major Double Transfer of Top Left Corner and "Postage" (73 var). Neat strike of blue target cancel which leaves double transfer clearly visible, centered to bottom right, few small perf faults, corner crease at bottom rightFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ATHERTON SHIFT -- THE MOST PRONOUNCED DOUBLE TRANSFER OF THE BLACK JACK ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BLUE CANCEL.
With 1980 A.P.S. certificate
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair, original gum, barely hinged, intense shade and impression, choice centeringFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED PAIR OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK WITH SUPERB CENTERING. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 1c (73a). Top right diagonal half, crisp impression, tied across the cut by blue quartered cork cancel, matching "Easton Pa. Mar. 2" circular datestamp on orange cover with Eagle Foundry and Machine Shop cameo corner card used locally, stamp with trivial wrinkling from gum (not mentioned on accompanying certificate)EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT DIAGONALLY BISECTED USAGE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The combination of elements on this cover -- the full bisect showing both denominations at top, the blue cancel tying the stamp across the cut of the bisect, the advertising and its overall freshness -- makes this one of our favorite covers in this year's Rarities sale.
With 1976 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Original gum, brilliant color, almost perfectly centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS AND WITH ORIGINAL GUM. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs 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.
With 1953 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, vibrant color, radiant color, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
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.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 ISSUE IN THE RED BROWN SHADE. A STAMP OF PHENOMENAL COLOR AND BEAUTY.
This is one of the most difficult stamps of the series to obtain in such choice, sound, original-gum condition.
With copy of 1979 P.F. certificate and with 2001 P.F. certificate.
5c Brown (76). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT DARK BROWN 1863 ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION -- THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
This is an extremely rare stamp in Mint N.H. condition. A shortage of multiples, particularly with decent centering, contributes to this scarcity. The only other Mint N.H. examples we have offered in over fifteen years are two center stamps in a block of six, but the perfs touch on two sides.
With 1980 P.F. certificate. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown (76). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color, detailed impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN SHADE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Black (77). Original gum, extraordinary margins and centering, fine impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. EXCEPT FOR THE RARE SHADES, THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN COULD WELL BE THE RAREST OF THE 1861-66 SERIES IN CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
In our catalogue descriptions, we have emphasized the rarity of 1861-66 stamps in choice original-gum condition. With the exception of the rare 5c and 24c shades, our experience shows that the 15c Black is the most difficult stamp to obtain in sound, choice original-gum condition. It is most often found without gum or disturbed gum, or the fully-gummed examples are off center. The block of six (straight edge at left), ex Caspary, Lilly and Ishikawa, is well-centered with original gum, but our search of numerous other major auction sales produced few other examples. Therefore, this stamp could be the rarest face-different design of the 1861-66 series in choice original-gum condition.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
15c Black (77). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS FOR RARE SHADES, THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN COULD WELL BE THE RAREST OF THE 1861-66 SERIES IN CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
In our catalogue descriptions, we have emphasized the rarity of 1861-66 stamps in choice original-gum condition. With the exception of the rare 5c and 24c shades, our experience shows that the 15c Black is the most difficult stamp to obtain in sound, choice original-gum condition. It is most often found without gum or disturbed gum, or the fully-gummed examples are off center. The block of six (straight edge at left), ex Caspary, Lilly and Ishikawa, is well-centered with original gum, but our search of numerous other major auction sales produced few other examples apart from the block. Therefore, this stamp could be the rarest face-different design of the 1861-66 series in choice original-gum condition.
With 1979, 1997 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
15c Black (77). Bright shade and crisp impression, tied by well-struck French anchor in diamond of dots cancel on cover to France, Aug. 1867 French Line H No. 2 packet datestamp and red boxed "PD" handstamp, missing part of top flap, Fine, scarce cancelled by the French maritime marking