Sale 1014 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 12-14 October, 2011
Category — 1873 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-166)
1c Ultramarine (156). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (157). Mint N.H., rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
6c Dull Pink, 10c Brown (159, 161). Tied by perfect strike of New York Foreign Mail Star cancel (Ty. ST-MP3) on blue piece, red New York 12c credit datestamp and London transit datestamp, Extremely Fine strike of this attractive NYFM cancel
6c Dull Pink (159). Bright color, cancelled by perfect strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Ty. GE-EP1), Extremely Fine strike of this elaborate NYFM cancel
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Mint N.H., bright color, wide margins to just clear at left, single tiny glazed spot on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Fine and extremely rare in Mint N.H. condition, a Power Search review located only one other, with 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, h.r., brilliant color, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00)
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Bright color, detailed strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Ty. GE-C7), faint diagonal crease at top left, Extremely Fine strike
10c Brown (161). Original gum, barest trace of hinging if at all, rich color, lovely centering, Very Fine and choice
12c Blackish Violet (162). Choice centering, deep rich color, bold magenta New York Foreign Mail cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85), Scott Retail with red cancel
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, lightly hinged at top left, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Yellow Orange (163). Used with 3c Green (158), tied on small piece by perfectly struck New York Foreign Mail Rosette cancel (Ty. TR-W5), 3c with small ms. at top left, Extremely Fine strike
30c Gray Black (165). Unused (no gum), attractive shade, few minor perf flaws at top, otherwise Fine
30c Gray Black (165). Top margin block of six with plate no. 22, natural s.e. at right with part arrow, unused (no gum), few perf separations sensibly reinforced, tiny tear in right margin not affecting design of top right stamp, gently cleanedFINE APPEARANCE. THE 1873 30-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 165, IS VERY RARE AS A BLOCK IN ANY FORM, AND THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PLATE NUMBER BLOCK. A WONDERFUL CLASSIC PLATE BLOCK RARITY.
A review using Power Search shows we have offered only one block since keeping computerized records, which was a block of six with selvage at left. The block offered here is listed in the Chapin census, where described with a thin spot but no other flaws; we fail to detect the thin spot. A strip of five with the imprint and plate number is also listed in the census, but this is the only multiple with the plate number that exists in block form.
Unlisted in Scott as a plate no. block. Scott Retail as original gum block of four is $17,500.00, and this plate no. block is considerably rarer than a block of four
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, small h.r., radiant color, fresh and Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Choice centering with wide balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate