Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Special Printing
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, rich color and sharp proof-like impression, scissors-separated as almost always but leaving intact perfs all around, extraordinarily precise centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS STAMP IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
Most of the 1875 Continental Special Printings on hard paper were scissors-separated when issued, often causing trimmed perforations or straight edges. This stamp has intact perforations on all sides. Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contains 44 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around (including two with either imprint or plate no. at bottom). Very few of these are sound and centered
Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-08. Ex Engel, Lutwak, Zoellner and Floyd. With 1956, 1976, 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates (last graded XF 90)
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, choice centering with full perforations all around, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Our recently completed review of records found only 55 copies of Scott 168 certified as genuine. Of these, 22 have straight edges on at least one side and several are faulty. We found only two other examples of comparable quality to the example offered here, as most are either off-center or have perfs that are scissors-separated.
Ex Kantor and Vineyard. With 1950, 1967 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but leaving full perforations on all sides, essentially perfect centering, radiant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS AND HAS EARNED THE COVETED XF-SUPERB 95 GRADE FROM THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Our recent review of records from the Philatelic Foundation found 34 unduplicated examples of Scott 170. Of these, perhaps four others compare favorably to the example offered here.
Ex Lyons. With 1957, 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (last graded XF-Superb 95)
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, vibrant color, extraordinarily well-centered with full perforations all around, bright and fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY A HANDFUL EXIST IN THIS SUPERB CONDITION WITH INTACT PERFORATIONS.
Our recent review of records of the Philatelic Foundation located only 70 examples of Scott 171.
Signed E. Stern. With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression on bright paper, single nibbed perf at left, reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of copies certified by the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 60 examples of Scott 173.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, intense color on crisp white paper, expertly reperfed at bottomFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of copies certified by the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 60 examples of Scott 173.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, rather well-centered, small internal tearVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. SCARCE WITH PERFORATIONS ON ALL SIDES.
Approximately 80-90 examples are believed to exist.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, beautiful deep shade, incredibly well-centered with wide margins all around, scissors-separated as almost always but leaving full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE COMBINATION OF VIRTUALLY PERFECT CENTERING AND FULL PERFORATIONS MAKES THIS PERHAPS THE FINEST EXAMPLE CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. A review of our records and those of the Philatelic Foundation found 52 certified copies. Of these, only three or four have perforations on all four sides.
With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
5c Bright Blue, Special Printing (181). Without gum as issued, deep rich color on fresh bright paper, full and intact perfs all around, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1875 5-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING ON HARD PAPER. THIS IS THE RAREST OF ALL SPECIAL PRINTINGS AND ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. ONLY TEN EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, INCLUDING ONE IN THE MILLER COLLECTION AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Our census of the 5c Continental Special Printing (Scott 181), published in the Zoellner catalogue and updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/181/181.htm contains only nine examples which are available to collectors.
In our opinion, the Scott Catalogue value for No. 181 is not accurately correlated to its rarity or other stamps' values, probably because no examples have been offered since the U.S. stamp market started rising in recent years. For example, the values of Scott 181 and 204 are similar, despite the fact that there are twice as many recorded copies of Scott 204 (18 in our census).
Census No.181-UNC-04. With 1983, 1990 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF 80)