Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Wonderfully well-centered, cork cancel at right, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,225.00), only four have graded higher
1c Buff (112). Jumbo margins, vivid red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00 as 90, $1,225.00 as 95)
2c Brown (113). Bright shade, detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
2c Dark Brown (113 var). Deep rich color in the Dark Brown shade, precise centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990, 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
3c Ultramarine (114). Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, bright color beautifully complemented by deep red cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00 as 95, $1,000.00 as 98), only one example has graded higher (at 98) and this is one of only five to achieve this grade, a surprisingly small population for this workhorse of the 1869 Issue
3c Ultramarine (114). Wide margins and choice centering, fancy blue circle of wedges, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 2012 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
6c Ultramarine (115). Superior centering with Jumbo and perfectly balanced margins, radiant color, unobtrusive strike of blue target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED BY P.S.E.
Ex Eubanks. With 1999 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,700.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others. The next highest grade for any Scott 115, used or unused, is 95
6c Ultramarine (115). Brilliant color on crisp paper, wide margins and precise centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00), only the stamp offered in the previous lot has graded higher and only three others share this grade
6c Ultramarine (115). Wide margins and well-centered, bold strike of red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a striking stamp, with 1998 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $575.00)
10c Yellow (116). Radiant color, almost perfect centering with wide margins, cancelled by clear strike of "Hiogo, Japan" double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp combining outstanding centering with a very desirable Japan cancel, the U.S. Post Office opened in Hiogo in 1868, one year after those in Yokohama and Nagasaki, and was in operation until December 1874; the rate was 10c to the U.S., 3c or 6c between Treaty Ports and additional rates to Europe, with 1996 and 2005 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00 as normal cancel)
12c Green (117). Rich color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering, cancel leaves Adriatic vignette completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2010 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by eight others
12c Green (117). Huge Jumbo margins, rich color, neat red cork cancel and transit cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, this issue is rarely found with such huge margins, with 1985 and 2001 P.F. certificates, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00 as 90, $850.00 as 95)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Jumbo perfectly balanced margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on crisp white paper, rosette and red cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $12,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Beautifully centered with wide margins, cork cancel with trace of red transit datestamp at bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only four have graded higher
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with wide margins, neat cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING CENTERING.
With 2010 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00). A review of the P.S.E. Population Report statistics for the 15c 1869 Pictorials reveals a surprising fact. Out of 151 submissions of used Ty. II stamps, only one has graded 98 and only five have graded 95, including this stamp. The scarcer Ty. I has had 35 fewer used stamps submitted, but has had two 98J stamps (including the example offered in lot 3191), one 98, one 95J and nine 95's. Neither type has had an example grade over 90 in unused condition.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Split Grill (119 var). Majority of grill is at top left corner and with small part of grill at top right, wide margins, rich colors and detailed impressions, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ as split grill, SMQ $650.00 as 90, $2,100.00 as 95 for normal grill), this is one of only two 90J's in the P.S.E. Population Report, with only five stamps grading higher, it is not clear if any of these others are split grills, but we doubt it
24c Green & Violet (120). Outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich colors on fresh bright paper, neat rosette cancel at bottom leaves the central vignette completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
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.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,500.00 as 95, $13,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade.
24c Green & Violet, Double Grill (120 var). Clear second grill, bright color, exceptional centering for this scarce variety with wide and well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel leaves vignette clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH DOUBLE GRILL WE HAVE OFFERED DURING THE PAST 15 YEARS.
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as double grill)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Wide margins and choice centering, red cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH A RED CANCEL.
With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,300.00). Only two have graded higher (both at 95J).
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, neat cork cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,800.00). Only three have graded higher