Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1873-75 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-179)
1c Ultramarine (156). Wide margins and outstanding centering, rich color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $185.00)
2c Brown (157). Rich color, wide margins and choice centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $260.00), only three have graded higher
2c Brown, Double Paper (157a). Wide margins and beautiful centering, rich color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine, an outstanding example of this scarce variety, with 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ)
3c Green (158). Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich color on crisp paper, perfect strike of thin target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $125.00 as 95, $425.00 as 98), only one has graded higher and only three others share this grade
3c Green (158). Bold strike of blue Skull and Crossbones cancel of Chicago Ill., also perfect centering with wide margins and deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp with any cancel and immensely more desirable with the Skull and Crossbones cancel, with 1991, 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
3c Green (158). Back of stamp with full offset which is centered better than the normal image on the front, cork cancel, couple small flaws including corner crease and tiny tears, Fine appearing and dramatic offset example, rarely found this complete or centered, with 2005 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Pink (159). Beautifully centered with wide margins, fresh color, bold grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $295.00)
6c Dull Pink (159). Perfect strike of Chicago blue "GIN" Barrel fancy cancel, stamp with bright color, wide to clear margins, sound and Very Fine, a beautiful strike of one of the best known and most distinctive fancy cancellations used during the Bank Note era, with 2001 P.F. certificate
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, vivid color on fresh paper, neat part strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. ST-8P6), long and full perforationsA SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WHICH HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO. A STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,700.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade and is the only Continental Bank Note Company issue in any denomination and any condition to achieve this grade. Of all the Bank Note stamps issued by all three companies, only six (five different Scott Nos.) used stamps between Scott 134 and 218 have achieved this highest of grades.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, incredible depth of color on fresh paper, socked-on-th-nose blue target cancel beautifully complements the rich shadeEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A DAZZLING JUMBO MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1988, 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,700.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). This is the only example to achieve this lofty grade and the 100 Jumbo offered in the previous lot is the only stamp that has been graded higher.
10c Brown (161). Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, bold strike of red New York Foreign Mail Star in Circle cancel (Weiss Ty. ST-5P3), Extremely Fine Gem, a striking and superb stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $250.00 as 95, $840.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and only one other shares this grade
10c Brown (161). Choice centering with balanced margins, detailed impression, light strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $270.00)
10c Brown, Silk Fiber variety (161 var). Beautiful intense shade, choice centering with Jumbo margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ as the silk paper variety), this variety is identified by its tiny dark silk fibers throughout the paper, visible under magnification, it is also found on most of the other Continental printings, including the 1875 Issue, but not among the National and American printings, Scott assigns a 300% premium over the normal used stamp
12c Blackish Violet (162). Wide nicely balanced margins, intense color, segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $740.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by eight others
12c Blackish Violet (162). Brilliant color on bright white paper, Jumbo margins, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-EN1), fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1996, 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $270.00 as 90, $740.00 as 95)
12c Blackish Violet (162). Strip of three, choice margins and wonderful depth of color, nearly full strikes of red New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-C7), Very Fine and choice, a beautiful strip, with 1988 and 2005 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as pair and single
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 15-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 15c American Bank Note Company issue, Scott 189, can be found with wide margins and is a much more common issue. This availability causes many collectors to infer that earlier issues such as the 1873 Continental printing are also readily available with wide margins. This is simply not the case. A review using Power Search of used and unused copies to review margin size and centering for the issue found only one which compares favorably to the example offered here, from our sale of the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1027, lot 75).
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,000.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
15c Reddish Orange (163 var) Gorgeous color in this deeper richer shade, choice centering and margins on bright paper, New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $340.00 as Yellow Orange)
30c Gray Black (165). Almost perfect centering with wide margins, bright shade on fresh paper, beautifully complemented by red cork cancel, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 30-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E, THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade
30c Gray Black (165). Wide margins and essentially perfectly centered, choice color and impression, red New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-C10), Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00)
30c Gray Black (165). Well-centered, well-struck New York Foreign Mail Spokes in Circle cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-C4), rich charcoal color, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Radiant color on fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, face-free cancel leaves design unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00). Only three have graded higher and only two others share this grade
2c Vermilion (178). Jumbo margins and almost perfect centering, bright vivid color on fresh paper, bold duplex ring cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $780.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others, the next highest grade for a used stamp is 95
2c Vermilion (178). Choice balanced margins, gorgeous color, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Pinwheel cancel (Weiss Ty. TR-S4), Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $280.00)
5c Blue (179). Massive Jumbo margins, vibrant color, neat strike of blue quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $330.00 as 95, $960.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade, offered in the following lot
5c Blue (179). Jumbo balanced margins, bright shade, mostly face-free cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $330.00 as 95, $960.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade, offered in the previous lot
5c Blue (179). Horizontal pair, choice balanced margins, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Ty. GE-EP3), fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. and 2011 P.F. certificates