Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 30c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue and 30c Invert (Scott 121-122)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Flags Inverted (121b). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, bold strike of New York circle of eight wedges cancel, completely soundVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE INVERT. ONLY ONE DOZEN OR FEWER SOUND EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
Our census of 30c 1869 Inverts, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/121b/121b.pdf , contains a total of 47 stamps, including 7 unused and 40 used (one in the Miller Collection at The New York Public Library and one used in the Tapling Collection at the British Library). Of the 38 available to collectors, only 13 are sound or potentially sound (six are based on decades-old descriptions and need to be reexamined for condition).
Census No. 121b-CAN-16. With 1983 (copy) and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2017 P.S.E. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE FOR AN ORIGINAL-GUM SCOTT 122, AND ONLY ONE OTHER HAS ACHIEVED IT.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869's. The stamp offered here, with lightly hinged original gum and choice centering, probably ranks among the top 1% of surviving 90c 1869's in unused state.
Ex "Hampshire". With 1991 P.F. and 1991 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $77,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded. Only one other stamp has equaled this grade (from our 2006 "Scarsdale" sale)
90c Carmine & Black (122). Very well-centered with wide margins, lovely pastel shade, bright and fresh, faint cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 ISSUE. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY IN TERMS OF COLOR, CENTERING AND CANCEL.
Ex Dauer. With 1993, 2004 and 2016 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine & Black (122). Well-centered with wide margins all around, lightly cancelled, Very Fine and choice, especially desirable with such a light obliteration, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $2,250.00)
90c Carmine & Black (122). Bright colors, vertical bars and red cancels, Fine, very scarce with any type of colored cancel