Sale 1224 — 2020 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30 June-1 July, 2020
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1869 Pictorial Issue
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with wide balanced margins, sharp strike of "6" oval grid duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE EXTANT.
Ex Coulter and Dauer. With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number of units sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869s were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp's high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. The stamp offered here is one of the finest we have ever encountered.
With 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $12,000.00). Only three stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report grade higher (at 95)
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum (slightly browned on bottom half), precise centering, beautiful shade and proof-like impression, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY RARE SOUND AND BEAUTIFULLY-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM 3-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE.
Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number of units sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869s were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp's high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. This is a rare sound original-gum copy.
Ex "Silver Lake" and Hoffman. With 2000 and 2008 P.F. certificates
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Absolutely perfect centering, wide even margins, deep rich color, clear strike of New York City oval grid, trivial tiny corner creases at topEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE OF THE 1869 RE-ISSUES IN USED CONDITION.
The 12c is the second rarest value of the 1869 Re-issue set in used condition. The Rose book estimates 15-25 extant used copies and SMQ estimates 20 extant. In our opinion, this stamp ranks among the three or four finest in terms of centering and overall appeal.
Ex Zoellner and Dauer. With 1970, 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Rich colors and crisp impressions on bright paper, well-struck duplex cancel, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
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.
With 1997 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,450.00). Only one grades higher (at 95J)
24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (130). Rich colors on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,500.00). Only four grade higher (highest is a 95)
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Choice centering with wide margins, gorgeous colors on fresh paper, long and full perforations all around, neat strike of New York oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. A VERY SCARCE USED STAMP IN THIS HIGH QUALITY.
Ex Merlin. With 2019 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,750.00). Only one other shares this grade, and only four grade higher (two at 95 and two at 98)