Sale 1212 — Superb United States Stamps and Private Die Proprietary Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 20-21 November, 2019
Category — 1861-88 Issues
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
Ayer's Cathartic Pills, Lowell Mass., 1c Blue, Short Arrows (EP2). Mica intact, stamp with bright color, Very Fine, despite the modest catalogue value this is an elusive encasement, we have offered only four others since keeping computerized records, with 2006 P.F. certificate
Take Ayer's Pills, 3c Rose (EP9). Bright stamp color and choice centering in the case, beautifully intact mica, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, detailed impression and attractive shade, beautiful centering with balanced margins, bold strike of circle of V's cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margin copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98).
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Block of four with top selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, s.e. at right, top left stamp with couple slightly short perfs and top right stamp light diagonal crease, overall Fine-Very Fine, the bottom left stamp is barely hinged and quite attractive, with 2015 P.S.A.G. certificate
1c Blue, Re-Issue (102). Original gum, brilliant color, wide and well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2004 (for a block of four -- this the lower left stamp) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates. With 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate (90 ogNH). By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only one Scott 113 at the 90 grade in Mint N.H. condition, with none higher. Scott Retail as hinged
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Wide margins and precise centering, bold quartered cork cancel with rim of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Rich color, bold strike of New York registry oval cancel, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
This issue is considerably scarcer in used condition. SMQ estimates approximately 30 are known used.
With 1999 and 2015 P.F. (XF 90) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 90J) and only two others share this grade.
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Original gum, gorgeous colors and proof-like impressions, exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins rarely seen on this Re-IssueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
With 1988 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2019 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,500.00). This is one of only four hinged Scott 129's at this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded
1c Brown Orange, 1881 Re-Issue (133a). Without gum as issued, wide top selvage, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1881 RE-ISSUE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. - THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THE ONLY SCOTT 133a TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2009 and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (both NGAI, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in the 100J grade, SMQ $3,250.00 as 100). This is the only example listed in the P.S.E. Population Report at this ultimate grade. The next highest is a single example graded 95
7c Vermilion (149). Mint N.H., brilliant color, fresh and Fine, very rare in Mint N.H. condition, we have offered a few as part of blocks but this is the first single we have offered since 2007, with 1997 and 2019 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Mint N.H., bright color, fresh and Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate showing selvage at top which has been removed, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Vermilion (183). Mint N.H., radiant color, Jumbo margins at top and bottom and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $950.00 as 90, $2,900.00 as 95)
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H., vibrant color, well-balanced margins, fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $675.00) -- a rather stingy grade in our opinion