Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1873 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-166)
1c Ultramarine (156). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $650.00), only six grade higher
1c Ultramarine (156). Original gum, lightly hinged, excellent centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine, Imperforate Pair (156f). Vertical pair, three large margins, in at top, each with bold Star fancy cancel, bottom stamp horizontal crease, Fine appearance, with 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (157). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
2c Brown (157). Original gum, barest faint trace of hinging, well-centered with nicely proportioned margins, deep rich color and sharp impression, tiny natural paper inclusion, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1987 P.F. certificate
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., extra wide margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 1993 and 2006 P.F. certificates, Scott value as hinged
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition), Scott value as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1987, 2007 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $925.00), only six grade higher
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, with wide margins all around, attractive pastel shade, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $625.00)
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, well-proportioned margins, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF 80; SMQ 1,150.00)
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Intense shade, wide margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00)
10c Brown (161). Original gum, pretty shade, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1986, 1995 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $6,000.00). Only four grade higher (at 98) and none share this desirable grade.
10c Brown (161). Original gum, lightly hinged, remarkably well-centered with wide and balanced margins, rich color and a well-incised impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00). Only six grade higher (highest is 98) and three others share this grade.
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, deep and dark shade beautifully contrasted by bright paper, wonderful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A VISUALLY STRIKING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING.
Ex Drucker and Odeneal. With 1988 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, rich color, most recent certificate notes added perf at left fifth down from top, Very Fine appearance, with 1984 and 2007 P.F. certificates
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, marvelous centering, wide margins, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,350.00). Just one grades higher (at 90J) and only one other shares this grade. This is the highest grade original-gum Scott 163 we have offered.
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color, light strike of large target cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in the higher grades, ex Bowman, with 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only one grades higher (at 95J) and only two others share this grade, SMQ is out of date for this grade as the last two we offered realized $2,700 and $1,500 hammer
30c Greenish Black (165). Original gum, lightly hinged, soft charcoal gray shade with a greenish cast that is unique to the Continental printing, fine impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare -- for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six -- which means that singles could not easily be harvested from multiples.
Ex Higgins. With 1999 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates
30c Gray Black (165). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep shade, large "pinwheel" cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00), only four grade higher
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, vivid color, well-centered with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,400.00)
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color and detailed impression, wide margins and outstanding centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING.
With 1992 P.F. certificate