Sale 1085 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. Officials
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 November, 2014
Category — Executive Department (Scott O10-O14)
1c Executive (O10). Original gum, fresh color on bright paper, incredibly choice centering with balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STRIKING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,350.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade.
1c Executive (O10). Neat quartered cork cancel, wonderful rich color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, a scarce and rarely encountered used stamp in this quality and condition
2c Executive (O11). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered, marvelous color, single nibbed perf at left, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $715.00)
3c Executive (O12). Block of four, original gum, multiple h.r.'s and hinge reinforcements, few creases, appears Fine, a scarce block in any condition
6c Executive (O13). Original gum, h.r., rich color, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
6c Executive (O13). Horizontal strip of four, original gum, strong color, slight gum soaks, light thin in outer stamps and light crease in middle pairFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 6-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
One other strip of four is known, but no intact blocks have been recorded.
Ex Markovits. Scott Retail as singles.
10c Executive (O14). Original gum with slight disturbance from previous hinge, well-centered, fresh color, Very Fine
10c Executive (O14). Block of four, large part disturbed original gum, hinge reinforcements and some perf separations, Fine, an exceedingly scarce block
10c Executive (O14). Unusually light bars cancel, deep shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate which harshly mentions "with perforations scissors separated at right" -- the perf teeth are complete
1c Executive (O10). Cancelled by quartered cork with matching "Washington, D.C. Feb 12" circular datestamp on "Executive Mansion" imprint cover addressed to Alexander H. Stephens, the former Vice President of the Confederate States of America and then current U.S. Representative from GeorgiaVERY FINE. BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN SOLO USE OF THE ONE-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
According to the Markovits sale (Bennett 2004), there have been no other recorded single franking covers.
Ex Ehrenberg and Markovits. Signed by Stanley Gibbons in 1927 stating that this was an "original find." With 1981 P.F. certificate.
1c and 2c Executive (O10, O11). Singles of each, both with intense color, light cork cancels, matching "Washington, D.C. May 23" circular datestamp on "Executive Mansion" imprint cover to John Jacob Astor (famous German-American businessman and first multimillionaire in the United States) in New York City, addressed in the hand of President Rutherford B. Hayes, New York backstamp, cover with minute pinhole and 2c with single pulled perfVERY FINE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED COMBINATION FRANKINGS OF THE ONE-CENT AND 2-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ACCORDING TO THE MARKOVITS CATALOGUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE ADDRESSED IN THE PRESIDENT'S HAND.
Ex Ehrenberg and Markovits. With 1981 P.F. certificate.
3c Executive (O12). Cancelled by circle of wedges with matching "Long Branch, N.J. Aug. 25 P.M." (1875) circular datestamp on "Executive, Secretary" imprint cover to Judge Edwards Pierrepont, who was the United States Attorney General (1875-76), addressed in the hand of President Ulysses S. Grant, and accompanied by a three-page autograph letter signed by Grant, cover with diagonal crease which passes thru stampFINE. ONE OF ONLY SIX 3-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT COVERS KNOWN ORIGINATING IN LONG BRANCH, WHICH WAS PRESIDENT GRANT'S SUMMER RESIDENCE. ACCOMPANIED BY A FASCINATING LETTER TO JUDGE PIERREPONT REGARDING JUDGE GEORGE P. FISHER.
While it is impossible say with certainty, we believe the letter and the cover belong together. The letter is datelined July 8, 1875, and goes on to say, in part, "I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday speaking of the complaints against Judge Fisher, Dist. Atty. for the district of Columbia. I have no doubt but the good of the service demands a change. You may notify Judge Fisher of the fact and give him an opportunity to resign. The change will be made whether he resigns or not." Judge Pierrepont had issues with Judge Fisher dating back to the trial of John H. Surratt, a former Confederate spy who was accused of being involved in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Judge Fisher ultimately set Surratt free as a result of a hung jury, despite Judge Pierrepont's efforts in having him convicted.
6c Executive (O13). Tied by cork cancel, "Washington D.C. Jul. 20" circular datestamp on "Executive Mansion" imprint cover addressed to "Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, &c &c &c &c, London England", red "London AU 13, 1877" backstamp and additional London datestamp at bottom left, docketed at leftVERY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 6-CENT EXECUTIVE ISSUE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF OFFICIALS COLLECTING.
Judge Edwards Pierrepont was a former Attorney General under President Grant.
Ex Ward, Ehrenberg, Markovits, Robertson and Ainsworth. With 1981 P.F. certificate
6c Executive (O13). Cancelled by quartered cork, "Long Branch N.J. Aug. 12 A.M." circular datestamp on legal-size cover with "Executive/Secretary" imprint, addressed in the hand of President Ulysess S. Grant to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish in Washington D.C., "Department of State Received Aug. 13, 1875" double-oval ribbon-marker datestamp, folds all around, one lightly creasing stamp, small hole at top right cornerONE OF SEVEN RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 6-CENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STAMP AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE FROM PRESIDENT GRANT'S SUMMER HOME IN LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY.
In Chronicle 232, Les Lanphear records only seven Executive Department covers bearing stamps sent from President Grant's summer home in Long Branch N.J. -- six bearing a 3c stamp and this cover bearing a 6c stamp.
Ex Starnes.