Sale 1254 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 6-7 April, 2022
Category — The Mulholland Collection of Specimens - 1869 Pictorial thru Bank Note Issues
12c Green, "Specimen" Overprint. Ty. A (117S-A). Unused (no gum), with additional tiny manuscript "X", clear to wide margins, small internal paper wrinkle near top not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE FOR THIS EXTREMELY RARE "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
We have encountered only two other examples of the 12c 1869 with "Specimen" overprint and this is by far the finest centered of the three. The other two have perfs cutting well in on two sides.
Ex Fekete and "Adriatic" collection. With clear 1991 P.S.E. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, "Specimen" Ovpt. Type A (119S-A). With manuscript "X" at bottom, traces of original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and detailed impressions, small surface scrape in vignette at rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
This is the only example we have offered since keeping computerized records 30 years ago.
From our 1993 Rarities sale and ex Price. With 1980 and 1998 P.F. certificates
24c Green & Violet, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (120S-A). Unused (no gum), interesting variety showing slightly doubled overprint from bounced impression, few faults including discolored at top, manuscript mark in vignette, otherwise Fine and very rare, possibly unique, ex Dr. Heimburger and Price, with 2013 P.F. certificate, Scott value for normal overprint
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (121S-A). Clear overprint at top, unused (no gum), some slight rubbing across "Specimen" handstamp and small corner creases at rightA RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
This stamp and the example offered in the following lot are the only examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial with "Specimen" overprint listed in Power Search since an example offered in our 1993 Rarities sale.
With 2009 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (121S-A). Clear overprint at bottom, unused (no gum), completely soundFINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
This stamp and the example offered in the previous lot are the only examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial with "Specimen" overprint listed in Power Search since an example offered in our 1993 Rarities sale.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate
90c Carmine & Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (122S-A). Clear "Specimen" overprint at bottom and small manuscript "X", large part original gum, deep rich color, small margin faults at rightFINE APPEARING AND VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
A Power Search review reveals how rare the 90c 1869 Pictorial is with any kind of "Specimen" overprint -- handstamped or manuscript. We have offered only two others in the past 30 years, both the Without Grill variety with manuscript overprint (one lightened). This is the only example of the handstamped Type A overprint we have encountered on the 90c.
With 2010 P.F. certificate
2c Brown, Re-Issue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Similar to Ty. G (124S-G var). "Specimen" overprint in sans-serif letters, very similar to Type G but 16mm long instead of the listed 14mm, part original gum, tear at rightFINE APPEARING AND VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT SIMILAR TO TYPE G.
With 1990 P.F. certificate as "124S, Genuine" but not specifying the overprint type. Scott lists the 2c Re-Issue only with the Type B overprint and prices that rarity at $3,500.00 (we have offered only one example of Type B).
10c Yellow, "Specimen" Overprint Ty. H (116S-H). Bold "Specimen" overprint, central thin spot, appears Fine, an extremely rare example of the Type H overprint on the 1869 issue which may well be unique, the Scott listing was only added in recent years after the last time we offered this stamp, to date no other 1869 denominations are listed with the Type H overprint, ex Fekete, with 1978 P.F. certificate
12c Green, Plate Proof on Card, Plett Ty. 3 Blue "Specimen" Handstamped Ovpt. (117P4-S). With blue 10.5mm serif "Specimen" overprint applied reading down at left, brilliant color, large margins to full at left, Very Fine, this is the only recorded example of this type of "Specimen" overprint on the 12c 1869, according to research by Michael Plett, in the late 1870's and early 1880's the Post Office Department responded to requests for samples by sending out some of the card proofs that were available, in four recorded instances the receiving country applied a "Specimen" handstamp, in four different types (see Chronicle 227 for Plett article), with 1990 P.S.E. certificate stating "Genuine, Specimen overprint of unknown origin" (issued before the Plett research)
12c Green, "Specimen" Ovpt. in Manuscript (117S var). Small "Specimen" written in magenta ink above the Adriatic vignette, unused (no gum), bright color and nicely centered, two tiny margin tears, Very Fine appearance, "Specimen" overprints are rare on the 12c 1869 Pictorial, this is the only manuscript version we have encountered, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value for Type A overprint is $2,500.00
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue, Blue "Specimen" Handstamped Ovpt. Ty. B (129S-B). Clear blue "Specimen" handstamped overprint at bottom, original gum, h.r., rich colors and detailed impressions, well-centeredVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE WITH ANY TYPE OF "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
Ex Price. With 2001 P.F. certificate
1c-90c 1870-71 National Bank Note Issue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (145S-A to 155S-A). Complete set of the nine listed denominations, including 1c-15c and 90c (24c and 30c are not known with "Specimen" overprint), unused (no gum) except 6c disturbed original gum, 1c-10c values with small manuscript "x" close to the overprint, possibly indicating a presentation set, varying degrees of flaws which are mostly not apparent on an album page, 90c with nicked cornerFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1870-71 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINTS. LIKELY UNIQUE AS A COMPLETE SET.
Ex Lewenthal and Ainsworth.
2c Red Brown, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (146S-A). Two, both with clear overprint and tiny manuscript "x", unused (no gum), first sound and Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate, second small faults, appears Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (150S-A). Unused (no gum), with additional tiny manuscript "x", nicely centered, light horizontal crease at top, Very Fine appearance and scarcer than the Scott value indicates, we have offered only one other example outside of this sale since 2005
6c Dull Pink, Blue Handstamped "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (159S-B). Clear blue "Specimen" handstamped overprint at bottom, wide and nicely balanced margins, bright color, small toned spot in right margin, otherwise Extremely Fine
2c Vermilion, Manuscript "X" Specimen Ovpt. (178S var). Block of six, each stamp with small manuscript "x", unused (no gum), bright color, perfs scissors-trimmed along three sides, couple small flaws including small tear at upper left, Fine appearance, this without-gum block gives every appearance as though it was extracted from a sheet for specimen purposes, unlisted in Scott
1c-90c 1879-83 American Bank Note Issue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. D (189S/211S-D). Eight of the ten listed, missing only Nos. 205S and 210S, mix of original gum and no gum, the 90c with the Brownish Black overprint, a tiny flaw or two but overall Fine
90c Carmine, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. D in Red (191S-Da). Clear red "Specimen" overprint, bright color, couple improved perfs at top, appears Very Fine, scarce variety, Power Search does not contain another example, listed but unpriced in Scott
1c-90c American Bank Note Issues, "Sample." and "Sample A." Ovpts. Ty. K, L, M, N (189S/216S). Extensive collection on album and stock pages, approximately 43 items including two blocks of four and nine pairs, showing each of the listed "Sample." and "Sample A." overprints, with and without manuscript aspects, plus a number of the non-overprinted stamps, full range of denominations, nearly all of the pairs with selvage including three with plate number, mostly original gum, no doubt some flaws can be found but overall attractive with bright colorsFINE-VERY FINE LARGE ASSEMBLAGE OF BANK NOTE STAMPS WITH ALL OF THE LISTED "SAMPLE." AND "SAMPLE A." OVERPRINTS. THESE WERE PRODUCED BY AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY AS PART OF ITS SUBMISSION TO THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEW 1890 SERIES OF STAMPS.
The existence of these overprinted stamps was a mystery to early collectors, who first encountered them unattached to any document. The Dr. William Johnson collection contained a set of strips attached to pages with bid proposal notes (Sale 1201, lot 2002). The colors of these follow the 1890 Issue color scheme.
See our website PDF for a complete scan. Scott value approximately $5,100.00
View PDF of contents of this lot
15c Blue, Special Printing Without "Sample A" Ovpt. (189S-L var). Block of four, original gum, h.r. at top, pre-printing paper folds, Very Fine, the 1889 "Sample" and "Sample A" overprinted stamps are referred to as "Special Printings" in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, and the "Sample A" colors are essentially the ones adopted for the subsequent 1890-93 Small Bank Note Issue, the overprint omitted variety offered here is scarcer than the overprinted stamp, Scott value as singles
4c-90c 1889 American Bank Note Issue, Handstamped "Sample" Ovpts. with Manuscript "A" (191S-M, 209S-M, 211S-M). Unused (no gum), 4c and 10c red overprint, 90c blue overprint and small thin spots, Fine and attractive trio
View PDF of contents of this lot