Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1851-57 Issues (Scott 7-38)
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 2, original gum, lightly hinged, large to full margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II.
With 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,250.00)
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, original gum, barely hinged, huge margins all around including large parts of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IV.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,000.00). Only nine grade higher (two are Mint N.H.).
5c Red Brown (12). D Relief, large to huge margins including right interpane margin and centerline, rich color, cancelled by New Orleans Feb. 28, 1857 circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A RARE AND CHOICE CENTERLINE SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
Ex Moody and "European Connoisseur".
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Position 80L1, enormous margins including right interpane margin, deep shade, lightly cancelled by San Francisco circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Caspary (lot 483, accompanied by original cover) and "European Connoisseur", with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $925.00)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large margins including right sheet margin, lightly cancelled by town circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex "European Connoisseur"
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large to huge margins including left sheet margin and trace of adjoining stamp at right, rich color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem, accompanied by original H. R. Harmer lot sheet from a 1972 sale where it brought $500, ex "European Connoisseur"
12c Black (17). Huge margins showing parts or traces of five adjoining stamps, lightly cancelled by red grid, crisp shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular stamp of extraordinary dimensions for this narrowly spaced issue, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,000.00)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, original gum, barest trace of hinge, wide margins, pretty colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED TYPE I ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE.
With 1989, 2002 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, original gum, deep rich color, choice centering for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,600.00), only eight grade higher
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 4, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh and bright color, showing clear break at top and complete outer line at bottom (the defining characteristics of the type)VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa.
Ex Hoffman. With 1982 and 2006 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Mint N.H., pretty shade and crisp impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine, with copy of 1986 P.F. certificate for block of eight, Scott value as hinged
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Mint N.H., with selvage at right, unusually wide margins for this tightly spaced issue, choice centering, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00), Scott value as hinged
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderful depth of color, attractive margins and centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN TYPE II.
Ex Wingate. With 1993 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Original gum, enormous margins all around, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Hansen and "Clipper City", with 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one grades higher (at 98) and six others share this grade, by way of comparison the highest grade for a Mint N.H. example is XF 90 (one example).
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Original gum, intense shade and impression, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3.
Plate 3 stamps (Scott 36B) are characterized primarily by uneven or broken outer framelines of the design. The subjects on Plate 1, which produced Scott Nos. 17 and 36, have even framelines that were extensively recut. Original-gum Plate 3 stamps with the centering and wide margins evident in this example are very scarce.
With 2011 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
24c Gray Lilac (37). Mint N.H., choice centering for this tightly spaced issue, rich color on post office fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 1860 24-CENT GRAY LILAC IS EXTREMELY RARE IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. TO FIND A SOUND WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE IS VASTLY MORE DIFFICULT.
Aside from five Mint N.H. stamps contained in the block of twelve offered in our "Sevenoaks" sale (Sale 831) and one single contained in another block of twelve offered in our 2010 Rarities sale, we have offered only four others in Mint N.H. condition since keeping computerized records. The online records of The Philatelic Foundation contain only six, including one with a fault, one strongly in at bottom and two with older certificates stating "it is genuine" (which need to be confirmed, both centered to bottom).
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition). Unpriced in Scott as Mint N.H. Scott value as hinged
24c Gray Lilac (37). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely rich color and crisp impression, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT GRAY LILAC.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). Only four grade higher (one at 90J and three at 95)
30c Orange (38). Original gum, vibrant color, well-balanced margins for this difficult issue, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with great visual appeal, with 2001 P.F. and 2001 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates