Sale 1139 — U.S. Treasures of Philately from The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday, 9 November, 2016
Category — Revenues
$1.90 Foreign Exchange, Imperforate (R80a). Large to ample margins, fresh and bright color of the true imperforate, pen cancel (half of "X" -- this probably had another stamp overlapping it on document), two light strikes of embossed cancel visible only in cross-lighting, one strike caused a tiny edge tear at upper right which has been expertly sealedVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE $1.90 IMPERFORATE FOREIGN EXCHANGE FIRST ISSUE REVENUE.
It is believed that of the 9,000 examples originally issued imperforate, 312 were returned for perforating. It is not known how many were used. A review using Power Search found a dozen or so unduplicated copies. No multiples are known.
10c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R109a). Vibrant colors, beautifully complemented by blue Sep. 1872 circular datestamp cancels, fresh and Fine, a lovely example of this Second Issue invert, ex Cunliffe
50c Blue & Black, Inverted Center (R115b). Fresh colors, light manuscript cancel, trivial corner crease, used on Nov. 1, 1871 promissory note, turned use with second promissory note dated Jan. 1872 on reverse, with 2c Second Issue (R104), note with small edge tear not affecting either stamp or any writingFINE AND RARE USE OF THE 50-CENT SECOND ISSUE INVERT ON A TURNED PROMISSORY NOTE, WHICH WAS USED A SECOND TIME THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
Any use of Revenue inverts on original documents is desirable. This example, which was turned and used a second time with a normal stamp is particularly fascinating.
Ex Cunliffe
$20.00 Orange & Black, Third Issue (R150). Vertical pair, bright colors, May 9, 1872 manuscript cancels, fresh and Fine, scarce in sound condition
$500.00 Carmine & Lake (R180). Without gum as issued, Serial no. 434, ample to large margins, bright colors, Very Fine, a very scarce stamp in unused condition, the only other two examples listed in Power Search realized $3,000 and $3,500 hammer
$500.00 Carmine & Lake (R180). Complete vertical strip of four, Serial nos. 701-704, rich colors, signed in manuscript with neat blue handstamp cancels, light creases affect bottom two stamps, still Very Fine, a rare multiple -- especially without a cut cancel, ex Zoellner, the only other example we have encountered as a complete strip had cut cancels (ex Tolman and Curtis)
1c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Inverted Center (RB1ad). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, light handstamp cancel, small margin tear at bottomFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE ONE-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT ON VIOLET PAPER. ONLY 24 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED, MOST OF WHICH ARE FAULTY.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records 23 examples of this invert error, most of which have thins or creases, or are off center. We offered one additional copy in our 2006 Tolman sale, bringing the total to 24. Of these, at least sixteen have faults.
Ex Cunliffe. With 1984 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB10a). Rich color, wide margins with all design elements well clear of perfs, neat 1878 manuscript cancel, typical small flaws including small thin spots and tiny pinholeVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE $5.00 PROPRIETARY ON VIOLET PAPER.
Examples of the $5.00 Proprietary Issue almost invariably have faults, due to the stamp's large size and the nature of its use. This example is better than many. The Kingsley book contains a table showing 2,109 stamps ordered and he records only 119 copies extant
$5.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB10a). Rich color, centered to left but design elements intact, light manuscript cancel, typical small flaws including creases and small thin spots, Fine appearance, examples of the $5.00 Proprietary Issue almost invariably have faults, due to the stamp's large size and the nature of its use, the Kingsley book contains a table showing 2,109 stamps ordered and he records only 119 copies extant