Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1847 Issue and Reproductions (Scott 1-4)
5c Red Brown (1). Huge margins, including right sheet margin and parts of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, bright shade from later state of plate, unobtrusive strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,750.00). Only two have graded higher (both at 100J) and two others shares this desirable grade. We recently sold one of the others for $6,000 hammer in our Sale 1197
5c Red Brown (1). Enormous margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top (with letters "R.W.H.&E." printer's initials), clear stitch watermark at bottom, gorgeous deep rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT RICHLY COLORED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,750.00). Only two 5c 1847s grade higher (at 100J) and only two others share this desirable grade
5c Red Brown (1). Huge margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top and significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, brilliant color nicely complemented by red New York square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is one of only four awarded this grade with just five higher.
5c Red Brown, Dot in "S" (1 var). Large to full margins including frameline of adjoining stamp at left, rich color, neat strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates
5c Dark Brown (1a). Huge beautifully balanced margins with small part of adjoining stamp below, deep rich color in the Dark Brown shade, neat red cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DARK BROWN SHADE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
5c Dark Brown (1a). Large to full margins, intense shade, neat strike of blue grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 and 2002 P.F. certificates
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large even margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top, radiant color nicely complemented by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E..
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to this shade
5c Red Orange (1c). Large to huge margins all around, radiant color in the true Red Orange shade which is nicely complemented by strongly blued paper and blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE AND DESIRABLE RED ORANGE SHADE. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
According to a series of articles by the late Calvet M. Hahn in the Collectors Club Philatelist, the Red Orange shade was printed some time during the fourth and last printing, which took place in December 1850. Research by Wade Saadi indicates the Red Orange shade was produced exclusively during the last printing, stamps from which were part of the Fifth Delivery (December 7, 1850).
The stamp offered here was part of an important West Coast collection built before World War II. It was acquired privately by "Argentum" (Dr. J. A. Graves) through Raymond Weill and later sold by the Siegel firm as part of the "Argentum" collection (Sale 807) to John C. Chapin. Because this stamp was hidden in an album for nearly 50 years, its color is much stronger than that of most Red Orange examples seen today.
Ex "Argentum", Chapin and Kirke. With 1994, 2005 and 2013 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $30,000.00). Only one other shares this grade, which is the highest awarded. The other example was offered in our sale of the "Natalee Grace" collection
5c Brown Orange (1d). Huge margins all around, gorgeous unmistakable Brown Orange color on deeply blued paper, light unobtrusive red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE ELUSIVE BROWN ORANGE SHADE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY TWO OTHERS.
This XF-Superb 95 grade is the highest awarded by P.S.E., and only three have achieved it. As an indication of the 5c 1847 Brown Orange shade's rarity in superb quality, it is revealing to note that the much higher cataloguing 5c 1847 Red Orange shade (1c) is listed in the P.S.E. Population Report with two in the grade of 95, just one less than the number of Brown Orange in 95.
With 2013 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00).
10c Black (2). Position 89R1, enormous Jumbo margins all around including small parts of adjoining stamps at top, left and right, crisp shade and proof-like impression, beautifully complemented by bold red grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE AND GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 1994 (as a pair), 2001 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $13,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. This is the only copy to come up in our sales since 2012.
10c Black (2). Large even margins all around, intense shade and sharp impression, neat orange red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LARGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH AN ORANGE RED CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1998, 2003 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates, each stating "orange red" cancel (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00)
5c Red Brown, Reproduction (3). Without gum as issued, full to large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 and 2003 P.F. certificates
10c Black, Reproduction (4). Without gum as issued, full margins to large at top, intense shade, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate