Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 1c 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63)
1c Blue (63). Rich color on bright paper, balanced Jumbo margins, bold strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $125.00 as 90, $575.00 as 95)
1c Bright Blue (63 var). Radiant color on crisp paper, wide margins, grid cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this distinctive sub-shade, with 1989 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (63a). Radiant color in the distinctive Ultramarine shade, wide margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Very Fine and choice, a surprisingly scarce shade especially in used condition, Don Evans devotes almost an entire column on p. 33 of his book on the 1c 1861 Issue to a discussion of this shade where he notes that they are "extremely scarce", only one other turns up in Power Search (with a thin spot, which brought twice Scott Catalogue value in 2009), with 1988 P.F. certificate for pair
1c Dark Blue (63b). Vertical pair, intense color and impression which is very distinct, choice centering, neat strike of "New-York Apr. 15" double-circle datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE COLOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE ONE-CENT.
Don Evans notes in his book on the 1c 1861 Issue (p. 33) that the Dark Blue shade is very close to Indigo shade used for the "Premiere Gravure" (Scott No. 55) and in fact he believed that this should be the formal designated color name for this shade.
Ex Koppersmith. With 1988 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles
1c Blue, Vertically Laid Paper (63c). Extremely clear laid lines, perfectly centered with well-balanced margins, deep rich color nicely complemented by green cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON LAID PAPER. THIS IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SUCH SOUND AND CHOICE CONDITION. ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE RARITIES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GREEN CANCELLATION.
Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid, but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually found with faults.
With 2001 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Horizontally Laid Paper (63c). Very clear horizontal laid lines, bright color, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancelFINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON HORIZONTALLY LAID PAPER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid (he was aware of only two horizontal), but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually seen with faults.
With 2005 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Printed on Both Sides (63e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, strong impression of two different positions on back, normal impression on front with neat cork cancel, few slightly irregular perfs not mentioned on accompanying certificate, tiny pinholes at top and bottomFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE.
Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other.
Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of this rarity is known (shown below). Both stamps originally formed a pair, and they have similar perforations and the same tiny pinholes.
Ex Philipp, Clark, Isleham, Donaldson and Cunliffe. With 1966 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue value is based on the hammer price of this copy in a June 2009 auction. The other has not been offered at auction since 1996.