Sale 1062 — The Golden Oak Collection of Superb United States
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 17-18 December, 2013
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 123-133a)
1c Buff, Re-Issue (123). Attractive margins and centering, deep rich color and detailed impression, neat strike of New York City oval registry cancel, Very Fine, the 1c 1875 National Re-Issue on hard paper is much scarcer in this quality than its 1880's American counterparts on soft paper (Scott 133 and 133a), with 1978 and 1988 P.F. certificates
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Deep shade, detailed impression, unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York City duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, choice centering for this difficult issue with perforations well clear of design all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE TWO FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS AND ONLY FOUR ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND.
Our census of Scott 125 in used condition, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/125/125.pdf , contains only fifteen copies. An example on cover was offered in the 1956 Caspary sale, but its current whereabouts is unknown. Of the fourteen other used copies, only four are confirmed as sound, including the example offered here and one on piece. One other stamp is potentially sound but needs to be re-examined as it has an old certificate. This stamp and the ex-Zoellner and Natalie Grace stamp offered in our Sale 1027 are the finest centered of the few sound examples.
Census No. 125-CAN-03. With 1991 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue notes "Very few authenticated sound used copies of No. 125 are recorded. The used value is for an attractive example with minimal faults"
6c Blue, Re-Issue (126). Bright color, attractive margins and centering, light cancel for the 1875 Re-Issue, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Brilliant color, bold New York City oval grid cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 1975 P.F. certificate
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Rich color on bright paper, wide margins, corner cancel leaves the beautiful Adriatic vignette completely unobscuredVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A MAGINIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE WITH LIGHTLY-STRUCK CANCELLATION LEAVING THE VIGNETTE FULLY VISIBLE. THIS IS THE SECOND RAREST OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUES IN USED CONDITION.
The 12c 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue is the second rarest of the set in used condition (the 3c is the rarest). The Rose 1869 book estimates 15 to 25 extant, and the SMQ estimates 20 extant.
With 1978 and 1990 P.F. certificates
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, neat circular datestamp cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED. A SPECTACULAR STAMP WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
The Type III design of the 15c Re-Issue is similar to the Type I, except it lacks shading lines around the vignette. The Rose book (p. 104) notes that essays of Type III are known from 1868, indicating this type was contemplated but never used for the original 1869 Issue. The vignette plate based on Type III was made for the Re-Issue. According to SMQ approximately 70 used examples are known. Our experience has been that most are either faulty or off-center.
With 1983 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,600.00 as 95, unpriced in any higher grade). This is the only example to achieve this lofty grade in the P.S.E. Population Report, with none higher. The next highest P.S.E. graded stamp is XF 90 (five total)
24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (130). Bright colors, well-proportioned margins, light strike of New York City oval registry cancel, Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Vibrant colors on bright paper, light strike of New York City oval registry cancel, balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED AND LIGHTLY CANCELLED 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Signed Calves (probably found in Europe, as many were)
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Deep rich frame color and proof-like impressions, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, light strike of quartered cork cancel leaves the design completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS RECEIVED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 FROM P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
SMQ estimates that approximately 40 used copies exist. Most are either off-center or have small faults.
With 1986 A.P.S. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $22,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a 90c Pictorial Re-Issue and this is the only stamp to achieve it. Only one other used stamp has been graded above 85 -- the XF 90 offered in our 2012 sale of the Nick Kirke collection
1c Buff, 1880 Re-Issue (133). Bold New York City oval registry cancel, rich color, tiny thin in top margin, Fine appearance, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
1c Brown Orange, 1881 Re-Issue (133a). Socked-on-the-nose strike of New York 1881 "20" duplex cancel, rich color, Fine and attractive, despite the modest catalog value this is a very difficult stamp to find in choice used condition due to its later issue date, it is often misidentified in stamp collections, with 1991 and 2009 P.F. certificates