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 — 3c-5c 1861-66 Issue (Scott 64-67)
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of "Bridgeport Ct. Oct. 18, 1861" double-circle datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PINK SHADE. THIS SHADE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN THE HIGHER GRADES.
The Pink is one of the rarest shades of the 3c 1861-66 Issue. There always seems to be something wrong with examples of the 3c Pink -- if the centering is choice, then the color is oxidized, or vice versa. The example offered here is the rare exception.
With 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00). Only two have graded higher to date (at 95).
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Radiant color in the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, with selvage at bottom with trace of imprint, color is nicely complemented by blue grid cancel and part of matching Louisville Ky. double-circle datestamp, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK SHADE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH WIDE MARGINS, THE SELVAGE SHOWING PART OF THE IMPRINT, AND A COLORED CANCELLATION.
The 3c Pigeon Blood Pink is the rarest of the 3c shades. Accompanied by immaculate orange cover with Oct. 2 Louisville double-circle datestamp addressed to Ledyard Conn. from which this stamp was removed.
With 1988, 2000 and 2010 P.F. certificates (the first as on cover).
3c Rose Pink (64b). Brilliant color on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, neat strike of "Syracuse N.Y. Oct. 10" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp and a wonderful example of this desirable shade, with 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins which even capture part of the adjoining stamp's design at right, brilliant color on bright paper, neat strike of "Nashville Ten. Aug. 31, 1864" double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of phenomenal proportions, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $180.00 as 95, $475.00 as 98)
3c "Indian Red" (65 var). Gorgeous "warm" shade that is very distinct from any other, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bold strike of large rimless grid cancel of New YorkEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL SHADE VARIETY OF THE 3-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE AT THE DARKER END OF THE COLOR SPECTRUM.
With pencil notation on back by Stanley B. Ashbrook "Indian Red A20" and signed by him. Also accompanied by 1974 letter from Bert Christian stating his opinion that this was Ashbrook's reference copy. He also states "You have a very good shade and it is probably very scarce. I have many copies but cannot match it." With 1974 P.F. certificate stating that "It is genuine (shade called Indian Red by Stanley B. Ashbrook)." This shade unlisted in Scott
3c Rose, Vertically Laid Paper (65b). Clear vertically laid lines, bright color, neat strike of New York double-circle datestamp, target and also part of red cancel, Very Good, scarce in sound condition, with 2002 P.F. certificate for pair, Brookman notes "It is known on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, in used and unused condition in each instance. It is not common in either form despite the fact that such varieties in used condition do not at present carry a very high premium"
3c Rose, Horizontally Laid Paper (65b). Horizontal strip of three, clear laid lines, brilliant color and crisp impression, neat strike of double-circle datestamp and target cancels, well-balanced margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a scarce and desirable multiple, ex Chapin, with 1993 A.P.S. and 1994 P.F. certificates as strip of four, Brookman notes "It is known on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, in used and unused condition in each instance. It is not common in either form despite the fact that such varieties in used condition do not at present carry a very high premium", Scott Retail as singles
3c Rose, Printed on Both Sides (65e). Back printed in same orientation as the front and with top portion of the design clearly printed, front of stamp with target cancel, completely soundVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. OUR CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY TWELVE USED AND THREE UNUSED COPIES. ONLY FOUR USED EXAMPLES ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND. THIS IS FAR RARER THAN PREVIOUSLY ASSUMED.
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.
Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. The 3c 1861 printed-on-both-sides stamps are known with the orientation of the back impression the same or inverted in relation to the design on the front, which indicates that more than one sheet was printed. The inverted impression on back is a result of the sheet being turned 180 degrees before it was put on the press the second time.
Our census of Scott 65 printed on both sides, illustrated at left and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/65e/65e.pdf , contains twelve used and three unused examples (including one in the Benjamin K. Miller Collection at the New York Public Library). As the census indicates, most of these are in poor condition. Short perfs and rounded corners are the most obvious flaws. The example offered here is exceptional for its sound condition.
Census No. 65e-CAN-03. Illustrated in Feb. 1982 Chronicle (p. 38). Ex Herzog and Floyd. With 1968 and 2001 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, Double Impression (65f). Clear double impression of the entire stamp, rich color, light strike of target cancel at top left leaves design clearly visible, tiny corner perf crease at top right not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONLY EIGHT EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE DOUBLE IMPRESSION ARE RECORDED. OF THESE EIGHT, ONE HAS BEEN STOLEN, ONE HAS NEVER BEEN CERTIFIED, ONE IS IN THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S MILLER COLLECTION, AND ONE IS SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. ONLY TWO ARE SOUND. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
Our census and summary of double impressions is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put in the press a second time, where it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
Our census of Scott 65f, illustrated at left and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/65f/65f.pdf , records only eight copies (including one in the Benjamin K. Miller Collection at the New York Public Library). None is known unused. Six have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, including one repaired with portions of design added. Another was stolen from a Fedex package several years ago and is still missing. This leaves only five certified and one uncertified available to collectors. The example offered here, with superior centering and showing clear doubling of the entire design, is the finest contained in our records -- only one other is sound.
Census No. 65e-CAN-03. Ex Ishikawa and Drucker. With 1993 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of grid cancel, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BUFF COLOR. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
There has been some confusion in nomenclature over the years with regard to the shades of the 1861 5c stamps. The three main shades are Buff (67), Brown Yellow (67a) and Olive Yellow (67b). The Buff is the darkest of the three; the Brown Yellow shows strong hints of Yellow; the Olive Yellow is the most distinct and rarest of the three, with strong Olive undertones. Over the years the expertizers have differed as to nomenclature, but to us they are clearly identifiable; the three stamps in the Natalee Grace Collection reflect what should be Scott 67, 67a and 67b.
Ex Hinrichs. With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates as Brown Yellow. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate as Buff (XF 90; SMQ $3,000.00). Only four have graded higher to date (at 95)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Radiant color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BROWN YELLOW COLOR.
Ex Rose. With 2001 P.F. certificate as Buff shade.
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Radiant color in the true Olive Yellow shade, nicely complemented by red target cancel, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE RARE AND DISTINCTIVE OLIVE YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS THE SCARCEST SHADE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE, AND IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
We have offered approximately a dozen unduplicated examples of the Olive Yellow shade in any condition since keeping computerized records. Of these only two were unused. It is difficult to find in sound and centered condition.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1992 P.F. certificate. With 1991 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date.