Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — Officials
3c Executive (O12). Well-centered, bright color, tied by bold strike of quartered cork, "Washington D.C. Apr. 30" circular datestamp on Executive Mansion imprint cover signed by O. E. Babcock (Secretary to President Grant) to Edward Pierrepont in New York City, 1875 docketing at left, small cover tear at top from opening, Very Fine, the Executive stamps were issued July 1, 1873, were supplanted by penalty envelopes on May 1, 1879, and were declared obsolete on July 5, 1884
3c Justice, "Sepcimen" Error (O27Sa). Without gum as issued, perfs slightly in at rightVERY GOOD. ONE OF THREE REPORTED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 3-CENT JUSTICE "SEPCIMEN" ERROR EXISTS.
This is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records. Robert Markovits reports three known examples (one of which has thins).
$2.00-$20.00 State, Plate Proofs on Cards (O68P4-O71P4). Complete sheets of ten with sheet margins on all sides, green and black plate nos. at top and imprints at bottom, bright colors, detailed impressionsEXTREMELY FINE. THE UNIQUE SET OF SHEETS OF TEN OF THE DOLLAR-VALUE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ON CARD. A HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE SET.
Unlike the plate proofs, the card proofs are unique. Card proofs tend to have better impressions, and are free of the faults that can plague India paper proofs.
Ex Lilly.
$2.00 State, Specimen Ovpt. (O68S). Without gum as issued, wonderfully fresh and crisp, wide margins all aroundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE $2.00 STATE SPECIMEN. PROBABLY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
Although the Scott Specialized states that 32 $2.00 State "Specimen" stamps were issued, the description for the Markovits example states "only about twenty are recorded", presumably based on Markovits's original research.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
$5.00 State (O69). Top left corner selvage with "Printed By The Continental Bank Note Co." portion of imprint, original gum, trivial h.r., small hinge reinforced separation, light crease or bend in selvage, very trivial soilingFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM POSITION SINGLE OF THE $5.00 STATE DEPARTMENT, SHOWING MOST OF THE IMPRINT.
Very suitable for exhibition.
$10.00 State (O70). Original gum, with part imprint at bottom, deep rich color, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $10.00 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PART IMPRINT.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
$20.00 State (O71). Original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centeringFRESH AND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $20.00 STATE DEPARTMENT.
The $20.00 State is rarely found in such well-centered, sound condition.
3c War (O85). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, tied by well-struck circle of V's cancel, "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 15" circular datestamp on "Headquarters, Army of the United States, Official Business" imprint cover to General Benjamin H. Grierson at his home in Jacksonville Ill., addressed in the hand of William Tecumseh Sherman and with original 3pp autograph letter signed, with similar printed letterhead datelined "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 15, 1875", military content discussing strategy for troop placements, some splitting along folds of contents sensibly reinforcedVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING WAR DEPARTMENT COVER, SENT BY COMMANDING GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN TO GENERAL GRIERSON.
William T. Sherman, whose "March to the Sea" made him a Civil War hero in the North (and equally despised in the South), was appointed Commanding General of the U.S. Army after the war (1869-83). In November 1871 he embarked on a tour of Europe for the first time, returning to Washington D.C. in September 1872. In September 1874, at Sherman's request, the Headquarters of the U.S. Army was moved from Washington D.C. to St. Louis. The cover offered here dates from February 1875, after the Official stamps and envelopes were released (July 1873) and Sherman had relocated to St. Louis (September 1874).
1c Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, choice centering, vibrant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
1c Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, radiant color on bright fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER.
With 2007 P.F. certificate