Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-63)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright white paper, exceptionally well-centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN.
A Power Search review failed to find an equal to this beautiful stamp in Mint N.H. condition. With 1988, 1999 and 2015 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN.
With 2016 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest graded Scott No. 56 we have ever offered at auction. P.S.E. does not track this stamp in its Population Report but the P.F. does. This is the highest graded example at the P.F., with none equal
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Wide margins and choice centering, wonderful dark shade and intense impression of the First Design printing, which provides the backdrop for a vivid red "New York Paid Oct. 20" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT GREEN FIRST DESIGN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE 1861 ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 10c 1861 First Design (or Type I) was printed from Plate 4, which left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B (or 58) are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides. The stamp offered here is the rare exception, and it is even more remarkable as a used copy, free of faults, and with a complementary red cancel.
Ex "European Connoisseur". With 2015 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Excellent centering with wide and balanced margins, rich color and proof-like impression, neat grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN THIS PRISTINE CONDITION.
The 10c is the only denomination of the 1861-66 Issue that was actually issued in two types. Type I, Scott 62B, was printed from Plate 4. Type II stamps -- Scott 68 and its grilled counterparts -- were printed from Plates 15 and 26. It has been surmised that Type I was pressed into service to help fill strong demand for 10c stamps after demonetization of the earlier issue. The 10c stamps paid the transcontinental rate, the ship-letter rate and certain rates to foreign countries. The Plate 4 Type I stamps left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides.
With 2000 and 2017 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and two others equal this grade.
1c Blue (63). Outstanding centering with balanced margins, pretty pastel color, neat strike of red New York City carrier circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful 1c 1861 with a red carrier cancel, with 2004 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $625.00 for normal cancel), only five grade higher (highest is 98), a Power Search review failed to find another example graded 95 or above with a red cancel
1c Blue (63). Brilliant color, blue Wells, Fargo & Co. Express double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, a scarce cancel on the 1c 1861, ex Rose and Diamond, with 2015 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (63a). Radiant color in the distinctive Ultramarine shade, attractive centering and margins, part strike of cogwheel cancelVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE ELUSIVE ULTRAMARINE SHADE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Don Evans devotes almost an entire column in his book on the 1c 1861 Issue to a discussion of the Ultramarine shade, in which he notes they are "extremely scarce" (p. 33). We have offered only three other used examples since keeping computerized records.
With 2009 P.S.E. and copy of 2013 P.F. certificates -- the former as a strip of three and the latter as a pair (this the bottom stamp in both multiples)
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense color and impression which is very distinct from the standard Blue shade, essentially perfect centering, lightly cancelledEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE ELUSIVE DARK BLUE COLOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE ONE-CENT.
Don Evans, in his book on the 1c 1861 Issue (p. 33), notes that the Dark Blue shade is very close to the 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 Kirke and "Clipper City". With 1992 and 2017 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,850.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense color in the true Dark Blue shade, nicely complemented by red New York City carrier circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine example of this distinct color, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Clear horizontal laid lines, pastel color, neat geometric cork cancel, Fine, a rare paper variety for the 1c 1861, Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, with 2008 P.F. certificate