Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Hard Paper Special Printing (Scott 167-180)
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as almost always but with full perforations on three sides, bright color and paperVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contain 45 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around.
Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-45. With 1996 A.P.S. certificate
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, reattached part imprint selvage at top, full perforations all around, couple shortish perfs at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING WITH TOP PART IMPRINT SELVAGE.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 168 contain only 56 copies certified as genuine. Of these we record examples with top and bottom plate nos. and an example with bottom selvage showing initials. This is the only recorded example showing the top part Continental Bank Note Co. imprint from this position.
Unpublished Census No. 168-UNC-40. With 1990 P.F. certificate
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, huge margins, full and intact perforations at top and right, scissors-separation at left and bottom, fresh and bright colorVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT CONTINENTAL HARD-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated records for Scott 169 contain 35 examples that have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation (including one on cover). Of these, only three have perforations all around and are confirmed as sound.
Unpublished Census No. 169-UNC-16. With 1967 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, rich color on crisp paper, scissors-separated as usual but with intact perfs all aroundFINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 170 contain 35 certified examples. Of these, approximately half have full perforations on all sides.
Unpublished Census No. 170-UNC-29. With 1999 P.F. certificate
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, radiant color, full perfs at top and left, scissors-separated but nearly intact perfs on all four sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 171 contain 72 copies. Many examples were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away.
Unpublished Census No. 171-UNC-03. With 1992 P.F. certificate.
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, intact perforations all around, well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 172 contain 36 certified examples. A majority of these have been scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not centered. Only four qualify as having decent centering, one of which was offered in our 2012 sale of the David W. Gorham collection.
Unpublished Census No. 172-UNC-31. With 1947 and 1989 P.F. certificates
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as almost always but with full perforations all around, choice centering, rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 71 certified examples. Many have perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. There are perhaps twenty sound copies with perforations intact on all sides, and most do not rate the grade of Extremely Fine.
Ex Vineyard. Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-12. With 1983 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, almost full perforations on all sides, deep shade and proof-like impression, small thin spot at top
FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 71 certified examples.
Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-62. With 1996 A.P.S. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, vibrant color, full perforations on two sides, well-centered with balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 174 contain 39 certified examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Very few are as well-centered as the example offered here.
Unpublished Census No. 174-UNC-26. Ex Weisman and Floyd. With 1992 P.S.E., 1991 and 1998 P.F. certificates
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, rich color, extra wide left margin, intact perfs on all four sides, faint diagonal crease at lower left, accompanying certificate also inexplicably mentions a short perf at lower left -- totally inconsequential since many examples are missing all perfs on one or more sidesFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 175 contain approximately 100 examples.
Unpublished Census No. 175-UNC-101. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, beautiful bright shade, well-centered with wide margins all around, scissors-separated as almost always but leaving virtually intact perforations at top and left and most perforations at rightEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT CONTINENTAL HARD PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING. AMONG THE FINEST OF THE 50 EXAMPLES RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 176 contain 50 copies. Of these, approximately a dozen have perforations on all four sides. Very few are as well-centered as the example offered here.
Unpublished Census No. 176-UNC-03. With 1988 and 1996 P.F. certificates
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, well-centered with mostly complete perfs all around, beautiful deep color and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1875 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies. Only seventeen have perforations intact on all four sides, and of these only nine are confirmed as sound. Many have poor centering.
Unpublished Census No. 177-UNC-28. Ex Caspary. With 1957 and 1984 P.F. certificates.
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, intense shade on bright fresh paper, scissors-separated as usual but leaving full intact perforations on three sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 90-CENT CONTINENTAL HARD-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies. Only seventeen have perforations intact on all four sides. Many have poor centering.
Unpublished Census No. 177-UNC-08. With 1952 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates
2c Carmine Vermilion, Special Printing (180). Without gum as issued, fiery color and fine impression, full and intact perfs all around without any scissors-separation, certificate notes single tiny pinhole which is almost undetectableFINE-APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT CARMINE VERMILION CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST SPECIAL PRINTINGS WITH ONLY 23 EXAMPLES RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 180, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/180/180.pdf , records 23 examples of this rare Special Printing, one of which is in The New York Public Library collection. Only a dozen are confirmed as sound.
Census No. 180-UNC-03. Ex Lutwak, Zoellner and Puliafito. With 1978 P.F. certificate