Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1861 Issue, cont. (Scott 67-70)
5c Buff (67). Deep rich color, well-balanced margins, neat strike of San Francisco cogwheel cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Pretty shade which to us looks closer to the Olive Yellow color (submitted as such to the P.F.), nicely complemented by blue Baltimore circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Lovely color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, well-struck "PAID" in oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN YELLOW COLOR, GRADED XF 90 BY THE P.F.
With 1983 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Wide and even margins, beautiful shade nicely contrasted by well-struck blue "Baltimore Md. Jan. 28" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BROWN YELLOW SHADE, CANCELLED BY A BOLD BLUE CIRCULAR DATESTAMP. A STUNNING STAMP.
Ex "Tahoe". With 1983 and 2004 P.F. certificates
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Precise centering, bold segmented cork cancel, faint corner perf crease at top left, still Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Olive Yellow (67b). True bright "Mustard Yellow" shade, beautifully centered, brilliant red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE DISTINCTIVE OLIVE YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS THE SCARCEST SHADE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE, AND IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
We have offered fewer than 20 unduplicated examples of the Olive Yellow shade in any condition since keeping computerized records. Of these two were unused. It is exceedingly difficult to find in sound and centered condition.
Ex Mayer and from our 1995 Rarities sale. With 1994 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is also a 90 (six at that grade).
10c Green (68). Deep shade on bright paper, nicely complemented by red grid cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00), only six grade higher
10c Dark Green, "TAG" Double Transfer (68a var). Extra wide margins all around, intense shade and early proof-like impression, red cork cancel leaves the variety clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Zoellner and Barwis, with 2008 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Wide margins, struck with bold 5-Point Star within Outline Stars fancy cancel, stamp with small faults, rare and Extremely Fine strike, ex Vogel, with 2010 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Deep rich color on bright paper, bold strike of 7-Point Star in Heptagon cancel of New York City, trace of red cancel at left, wide margins, Extremely Fine, a stamp with great visual appeal, with 2019 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Bright shade, clear strike of red "FREE" handstamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, any "Free" is a surprisingly rare cancel on this issue, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records, especially desirable in red, with 2008 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Choice centering with extra wide margins framing design on all sides, bold strike of true green target cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 12-CENT 1861 IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF ANY ISSUE TO OBTAIN WITH A GREEN COLORED CANCEL.
Green cancels are generally very scarce, and most examples are found on 3c values of classic issues used from small post offices. Because the 12c was typically used to pay the U.S-British treaty rates on mail from large cities, examples cancelled in green are extremely rare. A collector looking for a green cancel on a 12c 1861 in any condition would experience great difficulty. A condition-conscious collector who asked a professional for a superb 12c 1861 with a green cancel would be considered slightly mad. The stamp offered here answers that call.
Ex "Tahoe". With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90 -- conservatively based solely on centering/margins without any regard for the cancellation)
12c Black (69). Crisp impression on bright paper, well-struck segmented cork cancel, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates
12c Black (69). Intense shade and impression, cancelled solely by ultramarine "12" in circle handstamp, Very Fine, extremely rare cancelled in ultramarine, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 1989 and 2008 P.F. certificates, listed but unpriced in Scott
12c Black (69). Crisp impression, magenta circle of narrow wedges cancel, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 2009 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Deep shade on bright paper, with "NOTE CO. NEW YORK" portion of imprint in selvage at right, well-struck circle of V's cancel, Very Fine and choice, rare with imprint selvage, no multiples with the complete imprint are known, with 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates
24c Red Lilac (70). Deep shade and detailed impression, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancel, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1996, 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $900.00)
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color, choice centering, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1991 and 2003 P.F. certificates
24c Red Lilac (70). Beautiful centering, rich color, red "Supplementary Mail" Ty. A cancel, Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 1995 and 2007 P.F. certificates
24c Red Lilac (70). Intense shade and impression, two strikes of magenta grid cancel, Extremely Fine, scarce with a magenta cancel, with 1987 and 2002 P.F. certificates
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Perfectly centered with wide margins, deep shade and crisp impression on brilliant white paper, neat grid and trace of red cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC FEATURING PERFECT CENTERING, FRESH COLOR, SHARP IMPRESSION AND A CLEAR CANCEL. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED. IT IS THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Ex Kirke. With 1992, 2004 and 2015 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). With 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $7,500.00).This is the only example to achieve this desirable grade with none higher. In our opinion, the margin width of this stamp deserves the Jumbo appellation.
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Radiant color nicely complemented by blue target cancel, part of matching circular datestamp and trace of red cancel at upper left, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC WITH A VIVID BLUE TARGET CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.
With 2005 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, only two stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report exceed the 95 grade.
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Lovely color, beautiful strike of red circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with great visual appeal, with 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Bold strike of Geometric New York Foreign Mail cancel, Extremely Fine strike, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Rich color, well-struck Flower Petals fancy cancel of Alexandria Va., Very Fine and choice, with 1988 and 2006 P.F. certificates
24c Steel Blue (70b). Incredibly rich color in the unmistakably true Steel Blue shade, very well-centered, perfectly struck red grid cancel seems to "float" above the stampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 STEEL BLUE COMBINING THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CENTERING, COLOR AND CANCELLATION.
Ex Mayer and "Scarsdale". With 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates
24c Steel Blue (70b). Rich color in the true Steel Blue shade, choice centering, lightly cancelled by rim of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION.
With 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00). Only three grade higher (at 95).
24c Steel Blue (70b). Intense shade and impression, bold strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE, SCOTT 70b.
With 2011 P.F. certificate.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Unusually wide margins, rich color, neat Boston large "Paid" grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE, SCOTT 70b.
With 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates
24c Steel Blue (70b). Rich color, light strike of blue grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, scarce with a blue cancel, with 1995, 2003 and 2007 P.F. certificates
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Pretty shade and crisp impression, well-proportioned margins, neat strike of blue circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
With 2005 P.F. and 2006 and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,100.00). Only five grade higher (all at 95) and two others share this grade.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, target cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER, SCOTT 70c.
With 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Pretty shade, neat strike of magenta grid cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER, CANCELLED IN MAGENTA.
This is the first example we have offered cancelled in magenta since keeping computerized records. The P.F. has certified only one other with a magenta grid, plus one faulty example with a small trace of magenta manuscript.
With 2006 P.F. certificate.
24c Violet, Thin Paper, "Cincinnati Blue Violet" (70c var). A distinctive and rare Violet color originating at Cincinnati in 1863-64 and described by William K. Herzog in Chronicle No. 117--well-centered, bold Cincinnati grid and part of datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE SO-CALLED "CINCINNATI BLUE VIOLET" SHADE OF SCOTT 70c. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL SHADES.
Herzog speculates that the Blue Violet comes from an early printing in 1861 that remained unsold in the Cincinnati post office (possibly placed at the bottom of a subsequent shipment and not used until 1863).
Ex Zoellner. With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates. This shade unlisted in Scott. Scott value as normal 70c
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, bold strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 and 2013 P.F. certificates