Sale 962 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 24-26 September, 2008
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Uncharacteristically wide Jumbo margins and excellent centering, bright color, light target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $275.00 as 85, $450.00 as 90)
2c Brown (113). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and magnificent centering, lovely fresh colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,650.00). Only two others share this high grade with only one higher. The closest Mint N.H. grade is 85
2c Brown (113). Rich color on bright paper, enormous margins, bold strike of blue circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $165.00 as 85, $265.00 as 90)
3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (114a). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp color and impressionFINE. A VERY RARE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE VARIETY AND KEY ITEM FOR THE SPECIALIST COLLECTOR OF THIS POPULAR SERIES.
We have only offered twelve other unused examples in our computerized records, which includes all of our Rarities sales plus 14 years of auctions.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, barest trace of a previous hinge, exceptionally vibrant color with deep orange cast, unusually choice centering with wide balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $6,400.00)
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractively centered with vivid golden colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1977 and 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,350.00)
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, single hinge mark, vivid color without any trace of the oxidation that can plague this issue, wide margins, tiny scuff at bottom left, Very Fine appearance, with 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the former not mentioning the scuff
10c Yellow (116). Unused (no gum), vibrant color, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, well-struck Iowa town datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00 as 95, $2,800.00 as 98). Only seven have graded higher to date.
12c Green (117). Deep rich color, well-struck rosette cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $260.00)
12c Green (117). Three huge margins, cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unbelievably wide Jumbo margins and with excellent centering, light circular datestamp and target cancelsEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT JUMBO-MARGINED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE..
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00 as 90, $4,600 as 95).
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Rich colors, light transparent cork cancel and bit of red transit at bottom left, Fine and attractive
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Rich colors, cork cancel, Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Unused (no gum), attractive margins and well-centered, rich colors, crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,750.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Unused (no gum), rich colors, detailed impressions, Very Fine
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (no gum), rich colors and proof-like impressions, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,300.00)
24c Green & Violet (120). Nice margins and well-centered, cork cancel, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Attractive margins and strong colors, bold circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, brilliant colors, neat cork cancel, tiny corner perf crease at top left, appears Extremely Fine
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Double Paper, Without Grill (121 var). Original gum, wonderfully fresh with choice strong colors, centered strongly to right, perfs clear to tiny bit into design, a rare 1869 Pictorial Issue variety, with 1973 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Wide margins, bright colors, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel, tiny thin speck in top margin, appears Very Fine
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors, neat strike of segmented grid cancel, tiny corner crease at bottom left, appears Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Brilliant colors, unobtrusive cancel, single short perf at top center, otherwise Fine, desirable with such a light cancel
90c Carmine & Black (122). Unusually well-centered, cancelled by scarce vertical bars and "REG" reading up at right, light corner crease, otherwise Very Fine, a difficult used stamp to find with any kind of premium cancellation, Scott Retail as ordinary obliteration
90c Carmine & Black, Without Grill (122a). Unused (no gum), well-centered with bright frame color and intense vignette shade, tiny perf thinVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE RAREST VALUE OF THE SEVEN DIFFERENT 1869 WITHOUT GRILL VARIETIES.
With 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum