Sale 1100 — United States Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Monday, 22 June, 2015
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue thru 1870-90 Bank Notes (Scott 113-229)
2c Brown (113). Top imprint and plate no. 28 block of 12, Positions 5-6 and 8-10 Mint N.H., other positions lightly hinged, gorgeous rich color, choice centering and margins incl. portions of all 12 surrounding stamps, bright and freshVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE TOP POSITION IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 12 OF THE 2-CENT 1869 ISSUE WITH FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING CLASSIC UNITED STATES PLATE BLOCKS.
Apart from a block of 70, we have offered only two other plate number blocks of Scott 113 since we began keeping computerized records in 1992 -- both were blocks of six without the imprint and had only Very-Good-Fine centering.
With 2012 P.F. certificate. A plate block of ten is listed in Scott but is unpriced. This format of 12 is unlisted
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, crisp impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Only 1,406 were sold. With 2001 and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 1996 and 2013 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, wonderful depth of color in the distinctive shade of the Continental printing, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2014 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, rich color, Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Gray Black (165). Unused (no gum), choice centering, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded to an unused example of this issue (also two original-gum stamps graded 95)
90c Rose Carmine (166). Large part original gum, wide and balanced margins, fresh color, most recent certificate notes "a few perforations enlarged at upper right", Extremely Fine appearance, with 1982 and 2013 P.F. certificates
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, bright color, scissors-separated as usual but showing part of perfs on three sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 171 contain 70 certified examples. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
With 1948 and 2002 P.F. certificates
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color, scissors-separated at top as usual but other three sides with full perforations, wide margins, tiny hinge thinEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 71 certified examples.
With 1993 P.S.E. and 2013 P.F. certificates
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper full perforations on all four sides, bright colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 175 contain approximately 100 examples. This is certainly one of the finest.
Unpublished Census No. 175-UNC-37. Ex T. Charlton Henry and Gorham. With 1975 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, Very Fine, with 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate
90c Carmine (191). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive fresh color, Very Fine, with 1998 and 2013 P.F. certificates (F-VF 75)
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, rich color and sharp impression, reperfed at bottom and trivial corner perf tearFRESH AND FINE APPEARING 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). A few exist outside of that population, including the example offered here.
With 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate
90c Orange (229). Block of four, bright shade, light Boston registry oval cancels, Fine, a scarce used block