Sale 976 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 29 September-2 October, 2009
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Mint N.H., attractively centered, strong color, fresh and crisp, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (113). Mint N.H., beautiful proof-like impression on bright paper, Fine and attractive, with 1992 and 2002 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (113). Disturbed original gum, crisp impression, reperfed at right, Very Fine
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill variety (114 var). Mint N.H. bottom margin single, proof-like impression on bright fresh paper, split grill in three corners with sharp grill points, clearly shows on selvage, Very Fine, a remarkable stamp with the desirable split grill variety, with 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill (114 var). Pane of 150, with imprint and plate no. 26 at top and bottom, two arrows at right and natural s.e. at left, approximately 136 stamps Mint N.H., others small h.r. where sensibly hinge reinforced, every stamp with the split grill, bright color, few flaws to be expected on such a large multiple incl. fourth row with crease, few natural gum bends and inclusions of little consequence, several with unusually choice centering incl. Position 150 with perfect centering and wide marginsAN INCREDIBLY RARE INTACT PANE OF 150 OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WITH 136 MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS AND A LARGE NUMBER OF VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE STAMPS. ONE OF THE GREAT MULTIPLES OF THE ISSUE AND 19TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
Most large multiples have been broken to feed the demand for well-centered singles. Typically what remains in panes are those not worth breaking due to centering or other condition issues. Not so the pane offered here. This pane, with several sections containing better-centered stamps, plus the overall pristine nature of the gum, is a true condition rarity. We wonder whether it will stay intact.
Scott Catalogue does not price anything earlier than Scott No. 182 in Mint N.H. condition. When Scott Catalogue does start pricing, they typically apply a multiplier of between 3-5 times the hinged price. Scott Catalogue as two plate blocks, two arrow blocks, 27 blocks of four and 14 singles (all hinged)
3c Ultramarine (114). Bold, virtually complete strike of Waterbury Chrysanthemum fancy cancel (Rohloff F-3), light corner crease of little consequenceEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE WATERBURY CHRYSANTHEMUM.
We estimate that there are eight off-cover stamps and three covers with the Waterbury Chrysanthemum cancel.
3c Ultramarine (114). Cancelled by bold strike of Waterbury Skull & Crossbones fancy cancel (Rohloff R-3), tiny tears at bottom, a Very Fine strike, scarce, with 1984 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color, cancelled by well-struck Waterbury Small Bee fancy cancel (Rohloff A-14), bit of circular datestamp at left, small toned spot clear of cancel, Very Fine
3c Ultramarine (114). Huge Jumbo margins, bright color, transparent cork cancel above locomotive, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $355.00 as 95, $980.00 as 98)
6c Ultramarine (115). Enormously wide margins all around with part of adjoining stamp at left, light target cancel, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, the 6c 1869 is rarely found with extra wide margins on all sides, with 2001 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Wide margins, bright color, unobtrusive cork cancel, Very Fine and choice
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, lightly hinged, fabulous wide margins and near-perfect centering, fresh with pristine colorEXTREMELY FINE. A PARTICULARLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E..
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $5,100.00)
10c Yellow (116). Intense shade nicely complemented by red "New York Paid All Direct Apr. 2?" circular datestamp, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Rich color, well-struck "New York Steamship Nov. 20" circular datestamp, wide margins, Extremely Fine
10c Yellow (116). Radiant color, bold strike of unusual 7-ring target cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, the cancel is very scarce on this issue, with 1985 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Bright color, bold strike of "90c" negative blue double-circle handstamp with an 8-letter word at bottom that we cannot decipher, couple tiny corner creases, Fine appearance, a most unusual cancel that we have not encountered before, but believe to be genuine, possibly of Central or South American origin
10c Yellowish Orange (116 var). Horizontal pair, choice centering, vibrant color, two neat strikes of red dot in circle cancel of Baltimore's foreign-mail office, Extremely Fine, a beautiful pair in the Yellowish Orange sub-shade
12c Green (117). Unused (regummed), bright shade, well-balanced margins, Very Fine
12c Green (117). Well-balanced margins, intense shade and impression, unobtrusive cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, bold strike of red segmented grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unused (regummed), brilliant colors, accompanying certificate notes few perf stains which have since been removed, Fine appearance, with 1977 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Well-balanced margins, pretty colors, light strike of cork cancel, reperfed at left, otherwise Extremely Fine
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Bold red Leaf cancel used on New York Supplementary Mail, short perf at bottom, otherwise Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Uncharacteristically wide margins and nearly perfectly centered, strong colors, neat circle of diamonds cancel, reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2004 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I, Double Grill (118 var.). Circle of wedges cancel, choice margins and centering, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,050.00 as normal singly grilled stamp)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, attractive margins and centering, deep rich color and detailed impressionsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1869 15-CENT TYPE II.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, Fine
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Vertical block of six, part disturbed original gum, fresh, rich colorsFINE-VERY FINE. A VERY RARE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE TYPE II WITH MARVELOUS RICH COLORS AND IMPRESSIONS.
With 1981 P.F. certificate which states "unused, original gum"
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Choice centering with wide margins, deep rich colors, vignette shifted noticeably to the right, faintly cancelled leaving entire design clearly visible, reperfed at right (not noted on certificate), otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, vignette-free strike of blue cancels, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with great visual appeal
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (no gum), rich colors, detailed impressions, Very Fine
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide and balanced margins, intense colors and impressions on bright paper, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
This marvelous used 24c 1869 from the Senchuk collection defies the norms of this issue. Although the space between subjects on the 24c 1869 frame plate provided ample room for perforations, the National Bank Note Co. employees had difficulty applying lines of perforations in a uniform manner. Therefore, stamps with balanced margins on all four sides represent a tiny fraction of the original population. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. In this stamp we have a degree of perfection rarely achieved by the manufacturer and a fortuitously merciful cancellation, leaving most of the design unobscured.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $12,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
24c Green & Violet (120). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins, neat cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00)
24c Green & Violet (120). Unusually nice margins and centering, bold crossroads cancel, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Rich colors on bright paper, cork cancel, Extremely Fine
24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted (120b). Bright colors, neat strike of rosette cancel, small sealed tear at left and expertly repairedVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 INVERT.
Our published 1869 Invert census (with unpublished updates) contains 88 copies of the perforated 24c Invert, including four unused stamps and multiples. Very few are as well-centered as the stamp offered here.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Unused (no gum), bright colors, small thin spot, appears Very Fine
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, bold strike of segmented cork cancels, unusually choice centeringFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Ex Hansen. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,150.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 95J).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Deep rich colors, choice centering with wide margins, unusual segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1970 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Wide margins of near Jumbo proportions, cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Strong colors, quartered cork cancel, Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Part original gum which is slightly disturbed (described on accompanying certificate as "original gum"), deep rich colorsFINE. A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITHOUT GRILL.
Ex Schilling. With 1973 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Unused (no gum), tiny natural inclusion speck at topFINE. A FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITHOUT GRILL.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as with original gum
90c Carmine & Black (122). Unused (no gum), bright colors, fresh and Fine example of this scarce stamp
90c Carmine & Black (122). Wide margins and almost perfectly centered, cork cancel, light pressed-out corner crease top right, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,000.00)
90c Carmine & Black (122). Bright colors, cork cancel, reperfed at right (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Extremely Fine appearance, with 1984 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, cork cancel, some flaws incl. filled-in pinholes, otherwise Fine
90c Carmine & Black (122). Cork cancel, small filled-in thin spot, light creases, appears Fine