Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1861-66 Issue, cont. (Scott 64-66)
3c Pink (64). Choice centering with beautifully balanced margins, bright color, neat "Salina N.Y. Jan. 20" circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PINK SHADE.
Ex Kirke. With 2000 P.F. certificate as on cover to Troy N.Y. (cover accompanies). With 2003 and 2005 P.F. certificates as off-cover (XF 90)
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Bright color, beautifully centered with full perfs all around, canceled by "Portland Me. 19 Oct. 1861" double-circle datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK -- THIS THE SO-CALLED "PORTLAND PINK" VARIETY.
The Pigeon Blood Pink, named for a rare color of ruby, is regarded as the most distinctive and rarest of the Pink shades. Unfortunately, the special bluish-pink tint of the true Pigeon Blood Pink is sensitive to light and other environmental factors. Therefore, examples kept in the dark over many years retain the true Pigeon Blood color, while others have lost it. This example, used from Portland, retains its vivid color.
Ex Mayer and from our 1996 Rarities sale (where it realized $7,500 hammer). With 1991 and 2018 P.F. certificates
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 the immaculate orange cover with Oct. 2 Louisville double-circle datestamp, addressed to Ledyard Conn., from which this stamp was removed.
Ex Schwartz and "Natalee Grace". With 1988, 2000 and 2010 P.F. certificates (the first as on cover).
3c Rose Pink (64b). Choice centering and margins, glowing Rose Pink color complemented by blue circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Rose Pink (64b). Wide margins and fresh color, neat blue circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
3c Rose (65). Essentially perfectly centered with wide margins, rich color, neat target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00), only one grades higher (at 100)
3c Rose (65). Bright color, attractive margins and centering, cancelled by diminutive 5-Point Segmented Star fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno ST-E 2), "Barre Ms. Apr. 11" circular datestamp on small cover neatly addressed to Como, Nevada Territory, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate identifying this as a precancel
3c Rose (65). Bright color, outstanding centering and margins, tied by bold strike of blue segmented cork with matching "Chicago Ill. RA Oct. 5" double-circle datestamp on buff prisoner-of-war cover to Williamstown Ky., clear strike of "Camp Douglas, Prisoners Letter, Examined" oval handstamp (Ty. I), slightly reduced at right, Extremely Fine stamp on a fresh cover, with 2005 and 2019 P.F. certificates
3c Rose (65). Bright color, perfs touch at right, tied by perfect strike of Devil & Pitchfork fancy cancel, matching "West Meriden Conn. Jul. 25" (1866) circular datestamp also ties stamp on cover to West Chester N.Y., barely reduced at right, completely soundEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE FAMOUS WEST MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, DEVIL & PITCHFORK FANCY CANCEL.
For a history of this fancy cancel go to http://www.ctpostalhistory.com/CtPP/Postal_Markings_files/D%26PArticleJan2016XXXLR.pdf . A fascinating article on this subject by William Duffney also appeared in the 2017 Congress Book.
With 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Two covers, each with single 3c Rose tied by bold strike of large "W" fancy cancel (Rohloff K-17) and Waterbury double-circle datestamp, June 30 and July 12, 1866 respectively, both addressed to Canaan Conn., fresh and Very Fine, a lovely pair of Waterbury fancy cancels on covers mailed to the same recipient 12 days apart, with 2014 P.F. certificates
3c Rose (65). Cancelled by bright green 5-Point Solid Star fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno ST-S 4) with matching "Sharon Vt. Mar. 15" circular datestamp on small cover to South Hadley Mass., Very Fine and beautiful strike, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate
3c Rose (65). Choice centering, bright color beautifully complemented by green 5-Point Solid Star fancy cancel of Sharon Vt. (Skinner-Eno ST-S 4), Extremely Fine strike on a Very Fine and choice sound stamp, beautiful in every respect, with 2018 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Bright color, tied to small piece by complete strike of negative "Lincoln" and Stars in Circle fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno LC-NP 15), "Albany N.Y. Oct. 7" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine strike of this fancy cancel, especially desirable on piece with the Albany datestamp, the New York State Comptroller in 1866 was Thomas Hillhouse and the Albany postmaster in 1866 was George Dawson, both were ardent pro-Union Republicans, with 2014 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Well-struck "Union" in Star fancy cancel of Westhampton Mass. (Skinner-Eno ST-C 14), Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel, ex "Golden Oak", with 2018 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color nicely complemented by perfect strike of red Clam Shell fancy cancel, Extremely Fine strike on a beautiful stamp, with 2018 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Rich color, perfect strike of Blue Bird fancy cancel of Rockford Ill. (Skinner-Eno PA-B 18), fresh and Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel, with 2016 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Two, both with bright color, first with Skull fancy cancel of Cambridge Mass. (Skinner-Eno PH-M 32), Extremely Fine strike and stamp, with 2019 P.F. certificate, second with Pumpkin Face fancy cancel, Extremely Fine strike on a Fine stamp, with 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Exceptional assemblage of 12 stamps, each sound and certified, every stamp has either a beautiful cancel, choice centering and margins, or in some cases both, group includes three stamps graded XF 90 or XF 90J, the fancy or unusual cancels include Star of Waterbury Conn., Leaf of Cambridge Mass., unbelievably bold and clear strike of West Newfield Maine double-circle, letter "B", blue Geometric of Rutland Vt., 7-Point Star of Readfield Maine, Brasher Iron Works N.Y. and an ultramarine town cancel, Extremely Fine, each accompanied by a P.S.E. or P.F. certificate -- most fancy cancels identified by Skinner-Eno number
3c Rose (65), Tied by grid cancel and "Philadelphia Pa. Jan. 10, 1864" circular datestamp on overall Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon and Hospital illustrated cover to Roxbury, Massachusetts, exceptional design in violet depicting view of building, soldiers and civilians, immaculate conditionEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB CIVIL WAR ILLUSTRATED DESIGN AND ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
The Union Volunteer and Refreshment Saloon was a privately funded way station, where troops traveling to and from the war could find a home-cooked meal, a place to rest and wash up, and could write a letter. Tables were provided with writing materials and letters were sent without charge. The hospital provided care primarily for the wounded and sick who were on their way back to their families.
Ex Kantor (illustrated in their book, fig. 259) and Gross. With 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Straight edge at left, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Sep. ?, 1863" circular datestamp and grid duplex on multicolored Jeff Davis Going and Returning from War caricature Patriotic cover to St. Louis Mo., Very Fine and wonderful quality, this is one of the most amusing designs of the Civil War Patriotic or caricature covers, when flipped upside down Davis becomes an "ass", with 2003 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color and choice centering, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Jan. 11, 1862" circular datestamp and grid duplex on cover to New Holland Pa. with overall "Chase, Sharpe & Thomson Iron Founders" lithographed advertising design in deep purple-black, absolutely fresh, Extremely Fine stamp and cover, wonderful quality, with 2013 P.F. certificate, interesting illustrated history of the company can be found at http://stovehistory.blogspot.com/2018/01/north-harrison-chase-later-sharpe.html
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with much wider margins than usually encountered on this difficult stamp, sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING.
With 2002 P.F. certificate