Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Ungrilled Issue (Scott 145-155)
1c Ultramarine (145). Original gum, brilliant color, essentially perfect centering, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. and is shared by no others
2c Red Brown (146). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color and crisp impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $750.00)
6c Carmine (148). Disturbed original gum, natural s.e. at right, wide margins, small corner crease at top left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1986 and 2001 P.F. certificates
6c Carmine (148). Unused (no gum), bright color, Fine, this was the top right stamp in a block of four of the Grilled issue Scott 137 (1974 P.F. certificate for the block accompanies), upon being broken from the block and resubmitted, the P.F. found no discernable grill on this single and as such certified it as the ungrilled Scott 148, an interesting item demonstrating the vagaries of grill production for the 1870 issue, with 1974 (for block of No. 137) and 2011 P.F. certificates
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a difficult stamp to find in such fresh and centered condition, ex Scarsdale, with 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,500.00)
10c Brown (150). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright fresh color, wide margins and beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 1995 and 2005 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (150). Disturbed original gum, bright shade, light corner bend at top right, some gum soaked perf tips, appears Fine
10c Brown (150). Unused (no gum), rich color, a few visible points at bottom left but most recent P.F. certificate states these are not grill points, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate as grilled Scott 139, superseded by 2013 P.F. certificate as ungrilled Scott 150 (VF 80)
12c Dull Violet (151). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, single short perf at left, appears Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VG-F 60)
15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum, brilliant color, well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF BANK NOTE REGULAR ISSUES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Ex Argentum. With 1999 P.F. certificate
24c Purple (153). Original gum, rich color, extra wide margin at right, Very Fine, a beautiful and well-pedigreed stamp, ex Caspary, Lilly and Vineyard, with copy of 1988 P.F. certificate for block and with 1990 and 2004 P.F. certificates
30c Black (154). Large part original gum, crisp impression and bright shade, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
30c Black (154). Unused (traces of gum), intense shade, attractive margins, Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as no gum
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, bright color on fresh paper, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $10,800.00). Only two stamps have graded higher (both at 95) and two others share this grade
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid National printing color, attractive margins and centering, faint natural inclusion above Perry's head not mentioned on accompanying certificatesFINE AND ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 UNGRILLED 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2008 Weiss and 2012 P.S.E. certificates
90c Carmine (155). Small part original gum which covers a bit less than half the back, bright shade, nice centering, Very Fine, with 1987 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates, Scott Retail as no gum ($5,000.00 as original gum)