Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issue, Ungrilled (Scott 145-155)
1c Ultramarine (145). Magnificent centering and color, bold crossroads cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $325.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other, the modest SMQ value belies the extreme rarity of this stamp at the highest grades
2c Red Brown (146). Perfect centering, deep rich color on fresh paper, beautiful strike of 5-point Hollow Star fancy cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $620.00) only three other used stamps have achieved this grade
2c Red Brown (146). Horizontal pair, both stamps with gorgeous centering and wide margins, deep rich color, light strikes of cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 2002 and 2005 P.F. certificates, the former as a strip of three
3c Green (147). Deep rich color, wide and balanced margins, well-struck Circle of Hearts cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $170.00), only one stamp has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade
6c Carmine (148). Jumbo margins and perfect centering, bright color on fresh paper, light strike of cork cancel leaves design completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WHICH HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO FROM P.S.E.
With 2010 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,000.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this perfect grade. The next highest used example in the P.S.E. Population Report is a 95J.
7c Vermilion (149). Jumbo margins and precise centering, vivid color, New York Foreign Mail Shield cancel (Weiss Ty. RE-E3)EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1987 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,525.00 as 98). Only one stamp has graded higher and only one other shares this grade. Among the small handful of superb graded examples, the NYFM cancel makes this a particularly desirable example
10c Brown (150). Essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, wonderful depth of color on bright white paper, red target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp made more desirable by the vivid red cancel, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $960.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
10c Brown (150). Choice centering with wide margins, deep rich color on fresh paper beautifully complemented by red New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-EP11), Extremely Fine, with 1986 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
12c Dull Violet (151). Balanced wide margins, fresh color on crisp paper, light cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade
15c Bright Orange (152). Precise centering, vibrant color on fresh paper, neat strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one has graded higher (at 98) and this is the only example to achieve this grade
24c Purple (153). Jumbo margins and choice centering, rich color on bright paper, cork cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS HUGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE AT THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The 24c Bank Note Issue has always been a difficult stamp to find in the highest grades. There often seems to be a tradeoff between centering and color, with many stamps fading over years of handling. There are no examples graded 98 for either the grilled or ungrilled issue, and the highest grade awarded to a grilled stamp is 90. There are 15 examples of the ungrilled issue that have graded 95 but this is the sole example to crack the 95 Jumbo grade.
With 2010 P.F., 1992 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,200.00 as 95).
24c Purple (153). Outstanding centering, perfect strike of red New York Foreign Mail Circle of Hearts cancel (Weiss Ty. TR-W5), Extremely Fine Gem, with 1983, 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one stamp has graded higher
24c Purple (153). Wonderful depth of color, far richer than normally encountered, nice margins and centering on bright white paper, red cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one stamp has graded higher
24c Purple (153). Outstanding centering on fresh paper, rich color, bold strike of crossroads cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one stamp has graded higher
24c Purple (153). Deep rich color, much better than usually encountered for this issue, choice centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one stamp has graded higher
24c Purple (153). Well-centered with margins clear of design all around, bold strike of red New York Foreign Mail Circle of Wedges cancel (Weiss Ty. TR-S4), Extremely Fine, with 1985, 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $460.00)
24c Purple (153). Pretty bright shade wonderfully contrasted by bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. TR-W5), well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $460.00)
24c Purple (153). Exceptionally deep and distinctive shade, choice margins and centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with two 2005 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
30c Black (154). Almost mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, bright shade on fresh white paper, unobtrusive cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STRIKING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IN THE FRESHEST STATE OF PRESERVATION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $5,200.00). Since this stamp was submitted to P.S.E. five years ago, it has remained the highest graded example with no equals.
30c Black (154). Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, crisp shade on bright paper, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-C1)EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH A NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCELLATION.
With 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,950.00 as 95, $5,200.00 as 98). Only the stamp offered in the previous lot has graded higher and this is one of only three to achieve the 95J grade.
90c Carmine (155). Perfect centering with wide margins, magnificent color on bright paper, nicely complemented by red three-bar cancel, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IS THE FIRST TO BE AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 -- WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED BY P.S.E..
This stunning stamp exhibits all of the Ashbrook three C's -- exceptional color, beautiful cancel, and choice centering. It has remained the sole example of either the Grilled or Ungrilled National Bank Note Co. Issue to achieve a 98 grade since it was submitted to P.S.E. seven years ago.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $6,300.00)
90c Carmine (155). Choice centering, brilliant color on bright fresh paper, light cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2010 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). Only the example offered in the previous lot has graded higher and only five others share this grade