Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 3c 1861 Issue, Shades and Varieties (Scott 64-65)
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, well-struck "Paid 3" in circle handstampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK WITH GORGEOUS COLOR, CHOICE CENTERING AND A PERFECT "PAID 3" CANCEL.
Ex Senchuk. With 1959 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). The numeric grade appears to be based strictly on the measurement of margin width and ignores the presence of a perfectly struck "Paid 3" cancel. Only two grade higher (at 95)
3c Pink (64). Radiant color, bright paper, choice centering, central strike of "FREE" handstamp, Very Fine, a stamp with great visual appeal, with 1999 P.S.E. and 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates
3c Pink (64). Radiant color, wide margins, neat strike of "L.B." in grid fancy cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, an extremely rare cancel, Leonard Buckman was postmaster in West Hartford Conn., see lot 308 for a similar strike on Scott 26, with 1981 and 2011 P.F. certificates
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color, clear strike of "8" in four concentric circles cancel, single short perf at bottom not mentioned on certificate, Very Fine, unusual example of the 3c Pink cancelled by this distinctive handstamp, with 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color nicely complemented by blue (indigo) circular datestamp, choice centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example of the 1861 3c Pink with an unusual cancel, with 1976, 1992 and 2015 P.F. certificates, all describing the color of the cancel as indigo
3c Rose Pink (64b). Beautiful color and centering, nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2005 P.F. certificates (XF 90), surprisingly scarce in higher grades, by way of comparison P.S.E. has graded four at 90 and two at 95 (we have not offered any of them)
3c Rose Pink (64b). Radiant color, cancelled by elaborate hand-drawn Willow Tree fancy cancel of Tioga Centre N.Y., Very Fine and choice, a pretty cancel, with 2009 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color nicely complemented by blue "PAID" handstamp, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00), only one grades higher (at 100) and eleven others share this grade, these are very low population numbers for a stamp with such large printing quantities, the clear colored cancel no doubt makes this one of the finest
3c Brown Red (65 var). Deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, neat strike of Holmes Hole Mass. circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; this shade unpriced, SMQ $275.00 as normal shade)
3c "Indian Red" (65 var). Gorgeous warm shade that is very distinct from any other, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bold strike of large rimless grid cancel of New YorkEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL SHADE VARIETY OF THE 3-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE AT THE DARKER END OF THE COLOR SPECTRUM.
Ex "Natalee Grace". With pencil notation on back by Stanley B. Ashbrook "Indian Red A20" and signed by him. Also accompanied by 1974 letter from Bert Christian stating his opinion that this was Ashbrook's reference copy. He also states "You have a very good shade and it is probably very scarce. I have many copies but cannot match it." With 1974 and 2012 P.F. certificates stating that "It is genuine (shade designated Indian Red by Stanley B. Ashbrook)." This shade unlisted in Scott
3c Rose, Printed on Both Sides (65e). Back impression inverted in relation to the front, bright color, neat circle of wedges cancel, back of stamp shows parts of four stamps, few perfs scissors-trimmed, small faultsVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. OUR CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY TWELVE USED AND THREE UNUSED COPIES.
Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. Scott 65e is known with the orientation of the back impression the same or inverted in relation to the design on the front, which indicates more than one sheet was printed. The inverted impression on back is a result of the sheet being turned 180 degrees before it was put on the press the second time.
Our census of Scott 65 printed on both sides, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/65e , contains twelve used and three unused examples (including one in the Benjamin K. Miller Collection at The New York Public Library).
Census no. 65e-CAN-06. With 2013 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose, Double Impression (65f). Showing clear double impression of the entire design, deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONLY NINE ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS, AND ONLY TWO ARE SOUND. THIS IS CENTERED BETTER THAN MOST AND IS COMPLETELY SOUND. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
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, where it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
Our census of Scott 65f, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/65f , records only nine copies (including one in the Benjamin K. Miller Collection at The New York Public Library). None are known unused. Seven have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, including one repaired with portions of design added. Another was stolen from a Fedex package several years ago and is still missing. The example offered here, with superior centering, clearly showing the doubling of the design and completely sound, is one of the finest known.
Census no. 65f-CAN-01. With 1961 and 2004 P.F. certificates