Sale 1067 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 24-28 March, 2014
Category — 1873-88 Bank Note Issues incl. Special Printings (Scott 156-218)
1c Ultramarine (156). Block of four, large part disturbed original gum, h.r., brilliant color, few perf separations at bottom sensibly reinforced, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Frelinghuysen
3c Green (158). Intense shade on bright paper, absolutely massive margins and perfect centering, cancelled by clear strike of "3" in double-circle and rim of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, one could sort through tens of thousands of copies of this common issue without finding this stamp's equal, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 98, unpriced in any higher grade), this is one of only two used examples to achieve this grade
3c Green (158). Well-centered, cancelled by clear strike of "Used Up" fancy cancel of Traverse City Mich., tiny edge tears and creases do not detract from its Very Fine appearance, a rare cancel, with 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Green, Double Impression (158j). Clear and dramatic doubling throughout the entire design, natural s.e. at left, blue quartered cork and trace of matching circular datestamp, certificates note "color of the stamp changed to blue at right"FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. OUR CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY SEVEN EXAMPLES OF THIS GREAT RARITY.
Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put in the press a second time, when it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
In many double impressions the alignment between the two impressions is only slightly off, which can cause a blurring effect. In the example offered here there is a clear separation between both impressions.
Our census of Scott 158j, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/158j/158j.pdf , records only seven examples of this rarity. Of the seven, one has a previous certificate as genuine and another as a kiss print (both as sound), but we consider it to be genuine since the P.F. has clarified their standards since that most recent certificate was issued.
Census No. 158j-CAN-04. Ex Sheriff. With 1972 and 1992 P.F. certificates.
6c Dull Pink (159). Mint N.H. with top selvage, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, with 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
12c Blackish Violet (162). Jumbo margins, bold crossroads cancel, Very Fine and choice, a striking stamp, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of six, original gum, rich color, right stamps light natural gum bendVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Most well-centered blocks have been broken into singles. The block offered here is the exception.
Ex Frelinghuysen. Scott Retail as block of four and pair
90c Rose Carmine (166). Vivid color beautifully complemented by bright red cork cancel, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 2013 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Balanced margins, cancelled by neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Star (Weiss Type ST-MP3), light corner crease at bottom right, Very Fine appearance, with 2005 P.F. certificate
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color, scissors-separated as usual but with almost all perfs intactVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 71 certified examples.
Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-37. With 1948 and 1994 P.F. certificates.
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, scissors-separated as usual but still intact on all sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 175 contain approximately 100 examples.
Unpublished Census No. 175-UNC-15. With 1996 P.F. certificate.
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, radiant color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but mostly intact, small repaired tear at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies.
Unpublished Census No. 177-UNC-30. With 1988 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (178). Block of four, original gum, h.r., bright color, top stamps light natural gum bend, Fine, ex Frelinghuysen
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Wide margins, sharp and complete Glen Allen Star precancel, fresh and Very Fine
3c Green (184). Massive Jumbo margins, bold oval duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of truly huge proportions, with 1990 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (185). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $275.00 as a 95), this is the highest grade awarded in any category
6c Pink (186). Block of four, original gum, rich color, left stamps natural inclusions, Very Fine, ex Frelinghuysen
6c Pink (186). Block of four, original gum, h.r., brilliant color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, an attractive original-gum block, ex Frelinghuysen
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Unused (no gum), deep dark color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
15c Red Orange (189). Top imprint and plate no. 31 strip of seven, original gum, stamps lightly hinged, small h.r. in selvage, natural s.e. at right, some double perfs at top, few trivial natural inclusions, Fine, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott Retail as three pairs and a single
15c Red Orange (189). Block of eight with top imprint selvage, original gum, h.r., vibrant color, left vertical pair separated and reattached, otherwise Fine, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott Retail as block of four and two pairs
30c Full Black (190). Block of six, original gum, h.r., deep shade and proof-like impression, choice centering, few trivial perf separations, some minor soiling at bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1879 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Virtually all blocks with decent centering have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. This is the first block we have offered in just over a decade, and the last we offered had perforations cutting into the designs of all four stamps. The block offered here should be considered a condition rarity.
Ex Frelinghuysen. Undercatalogued in Scott. Scott Retail as block of four and pair.
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, bright color, thinned at center, Fine and scarce, approximately 80 have been certified, unpublished Census No. 196-UNC-48, with 1994 P.F. certificate
12c Blackish Purple, Special Printing (198). Without gum as issued, dark shade, natural s.e. at rightVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 12-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 198 contain 62 certified examples. Of these, fully one-third have small flaws (mostly thin spots due to the porous nature of the paper).
Unpublished Census No. 198-UNC-28. With 2004 P.F. certificate.
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impressionFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 24-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found 67 certified copies of Scott 200, 24 of which have faults (usually a thin spot). Another has been certified by P.S.E., bringing our count to 68.
Unpublished Census No. 200-UNC-43. With 1954 and 1986 P.F. certificates.
1c Gray Blue (206). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,850.00), this is the highest grade awarded
1c Gray Blue (206). Beautifully centered, faint wrinkle, on small piece tied by complete strike of "State Prison, California. Dec 28 1886 P.M." circular datestamp, Extremely Fine appearance, rare cancel
6c Rose (208). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, scarcer than its Red Brown counterpart and undercatalogued in Scott, with 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (209). Mint N.H., deep rich color, wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate
10c Brown (209). Mint N.H., fresh color, wide margins and attractive centering, Very Fine
1c Ultramarine (212). Clear "Burlington, Vt." straightline precancel, Very Fine and scarce, with 1991 P.F. certificate
2c Green (213). Top imprint, plate no. 693 and "OO" block of 32, 28 Mint N.H., four hinged of which two are natural s.e., small reinforcement, small internal separations and couple light bends, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
5c Indigo (216). Mint N.H. with wide part imprint selvage at top, intense shade and impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2014 PSAG certificate (VF-XF 85)
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1989 and 1997 P.F. certificates
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate for pair
30c Orange Brown (217). Block of nine with selvage and part imprint at top, disturbed original gum, rich color, thinned in selvage at top right, bottom left stamp tear at bottom, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, scarce multiple, ex Frelinghuysen
30c Orange Brown (217). Block of four, top right lightly hinged, other three Mint N.H., fresh, deep rich color, Fine
90c Purple (218). Original gum, h.r., rich color, Very Fine, with 2002 A.P.S. certificate
90c Purple (218). Block of four, original gum, small h.r., bright color, top left stamp trivial natural inclusion barely visible on front, couple gum soaked perfs, Fine-Very Fine block, ex Frelinghuysen