Sale 992 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 24-25 June, 2010
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 73-78)
2c Black (73). Original gum, barely hinged, exceptionally well-centered for the difficult Black Jack issue, fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2010 P.F. certificate
2c Black, 2c F. Grill (73/93). 13 used stamps with fancy cancels, incl. 10 of No. 73 and three of No. 93, range of better cancels incl. paint red "A" in circle, red "2", negative star, five blue in a variety of geometric shapes, interesting double perf variety with four lobed propeller, few small faults, overall Fine-Very Fine appearance, an attractive group
5c Red Brown (75). Incredibly well-centered, magnificent color and impression, light unobtrusive red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, exceptionally pretty used stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown (75). Excellent centering and with uncommonly wide margins that clear the design all around, small corner crease bottom left, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Part original gum, rich color and nice impression, Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Rich color, detailed impression showing all of the fine detailed engraving of the lathework and design, unobtrusive strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00), only one has graded higher to date
5c Brown (76). Exceptionally well-centered, lovely color and impression, black target and red boxed "PD" foreign transit, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
5c Dark Brown (76a). Intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering, lightly cancelled leaving design clearly visible, single pulled perf lower left corner, Extremely Fine appearance, with clean 1989 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $500.00)
15c Black (77). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, detailed impression, face-free cancel, single slightly shorter perf at bottom right, Extremely Fine, scarce with such superb centering, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $600.00)
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Deep rich color in the true Blackish Violet shade, bright paper, cork cancel, tiny perf tip tear at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADE OF THE 1861-63 ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN ANY CONDITION.
A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered.
With copy of 1993 P.S.E. certificate
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Light cork cancel, small corner creases top right and bottom left, small tear bottomVERY GOOD APPEARANCE. AN AFFORDABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS VERY RARE AND ELUSIVE 1861-66 ISSUE SHADE THAT IS MISSING IN MOST ADVANCED CLASSIC UNITED STATES COLLECTIONS.
With 2010 P.S.E.. certificate