Sale 1334 — The Dr. George Haikel Collection: Stamps and Covers of Exceptional Beauty and Rarity
Sale Date — Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
Category — 1861-66 Issue thru 1875 Re-Issue of 1861-66 Issue
1c Blue, Printed on Both Sides (63e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, strong impression of two different positions on back, normal impression on front with light cork cancel, few slightly irregular perfs not mentioned on accompanying certificate, tiny pinholes at top and bottom
FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE.
Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other.
Only one other example of this rarity is known, and is shown at our website and below. Both stamps originally formed a pair, and they have similar perforations and the same tiny pinholes.
Census no. 63e-CAN-01. Ex Philipp, Clark, Peyton ("Isleham"), Donaldson, Cunliffe and "Natalee Grace". With 1966 and 2009 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose Pink (64b). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 XQ BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1990, 1995 and 2024 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Mint N.H. stamp is 80. Scott value $600 as hinged.
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, light natural gum bend not noted on certificates, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, ex Dr. Morris, with 1994 (as block) and 1995 P.F. certificates, Scott value $125 as hinged
3c Lake (66). With part imprint selvage at top, original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color, precise centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING, WITH SUPERB CENTERING, RICH COLOR AND GUM THAT IS BARELY HINGED. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Power Search confirms the rarity of the 1861 3c Lake printing with superb centering. This issue often has perforations cutting in on one or two sides and is rarely found with Very Fine or better centering. The barely hinged gum on this stamp, combined with the superb centering and margins, make it one of the finest extant.
Ex Sapperstein (our Sale 761 in 1994 as a pair). With 1995 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates as Scott 66TC6 (OGph, XF 90; unpriced in SMQ). In our opinion, this stamp deserves a grade of XF-Superb 95 or 95J. Scott value $2,000.
12c Black (69). Original gum, minor hinge remnant, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE. ONE OF THE FRESHEST AND BEST CENTERED WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Knowledgeable collectors recognize and appreciate the great rarity of well-centered, original-gum classics. In particular, the 1861-66 Issue has been "discovered" as one of the most challenging of all—for example, the 5c 1861 early shades (Scott 67) in choice original-gum condition are far rarer than any 1c 1851 type, Bank Note Special Printing, Invert or First Design. Similarly, 1861-66 Issues with modest Scott values in original-gum condition are extremely elusive in grades of Very Fine or better.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1990 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, lovely warm color in the unmistakable Red Brown shade, gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 ISSUE IN THE RED BROWN SHADE. THIS IS SURPRISINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 5c Red Brown is one of the 1861-66 stamps that challenges collectors who demand choice original-gum examples. Multiples are extremely rare, with only one recorded original-gum block; therefore, there has never been a supply of blocks from which singles could be harvested. The vast majority of original-gum singles are off center, faulty or both. For graded, P.S.E. has only graded two with original gum, at 60 and 70. The P.F. has graded two at 80, one at 85 and two at 90.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1984, 1989 and 1996 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Lovely shade on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of radial cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
It is our hypothesis that two grilling machines were used to make regular-production grilled stamps, beginning in January 1868. Based on our analysis of grill production, the D Grill machine was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 3, 1868. Based on the earliest known uses of the 3c D Grill (2/1/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place very soon after sheets of 3c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. This would explain the scarcity of 3c D Grill stamps.
Ex Ishikawa, Hinrichs and "Natalee Grace". With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other has achieved this grade.
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Mint N.H. with bottom sheet selvage, deep rich color, unusually choice centering with unusually wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE SOUND, CENTERED AND MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Sometime ago we observed that the 1c E Grill appeared at auction very infrequently, in any form. After analyzing the early 1868 regular-production grills (Z, D, E and F), we concluded that grilling of 1c with the E (and Z) Grill must have been short-lived, occurring sometime around February 28, 1868. Later grilling of 1c stamps was probably done with the F Grill. Of the 1c E Grill supply, relatively little appears to have reached the philatelic market, as evidenced by the stamp's scarcity.
We have offered three Mint N.H. examples in the past 35 years. One had perforations cutting into the design on two sides. Another has a certificate noting slight gum toning on back. The third, offered in 2009, was graded by us as Fine. The example offered here, with wide margins that are well clear of the design on all sides, is truly a remarkable stamp.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1990 (as a block), 1992 and 1996 P.F. certificates. Scott value $3,000 as hinged.
2c Black, F. Grill (93). With wide bottom sheet selvage, original gum, barest touch of what may be hinging—to us it looks like typical uneven gum of the period but most recent certificate calls it previously hinged—clearly defined grill, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. for pair noting this stamp is not hinged, with 2024 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), Scott value $450
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Mint N.H. block of four, clearly-defined grills, crisp impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL.
We have offered three Mint N.H. blocks and two Mint N.H. singles since keeping computerized records. There are also a few Mint N.H. stamps contained in multiples with hinged stamps. However, they all have perforations close or touching the design on at least one side. The block offered here, in absolutely pristine condition and with precise centering, is a remarkable survivor of block-busting to harvest choice singles.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1994 P.F. certificate. Scott value $2,600 as hinged block does not convey its rarity.
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Block of four with top "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint selvage, unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS UNUSED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL WITH THE "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" IMPRINT.
Only one full imprint and plate number multiple of Scott 96 is known: a strip of four from the bottom plate position which was offered in the Gross sale (Sale 1200). All plate number examples of 10c stamps (Scott 62B, 68, 89 and 96) are bottom positions with a different style of imprint — "National Bank Note Company" is in a square green box with dotted border. It is likely the top selvage contained just the imprint and no plate number. This is the only top imprint selvage example we have encountered for any 10c 1861-68 stamp.
From our 1977 and 1981 Rarities sales. Acquired by Dr. Haikel in the 1992 Roland Anderson auction. With 1981 and 1992 P.F. certificates. Scott value $26,000 as block of four with original gum.
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Block of four, original gum, each stamp superbly centered, deep shade and proof-like impression on crisp bright paper, upper left stamp with minor gum disturbance and what appears to be the barest trace of thinning (this spot does not show dark in fluid and the thin hard F Grill paper is not easily thinned—it is described as sound on certificate), hinge marks on bottom pair
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST 1868 12-CENT F GRILL BLOCK WITHS ORIGINAL GUM. EXTREMELY RARE IN ANY GRADE EVEN APPROACHING THIS QUALITY.
Almost every original-gum block containing Very Fine or Extremely Fine stamps has been broken to meet collector demand for choice singles. The block offered here is the exception, and we wonder how much longer it will remain intact. It comes from the block of eight in the Caspary sale.
Ex Caspary, Klein and Zoellner. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Re-Issue (102). Original gum, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide margins all around, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Original gum, radiant color, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1875 RE-ISSUE.
The 5c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. The Re-Issue plate can be identified by a notch at bottom. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 672 of the 5c were sold; the remaining 9,328 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1959, 1990 and 1996 P.F. certificates.
12c Black, Re-Issue (107). Original gum, remarkably detailed impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 12c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 389 of the 12c were sold; the remaining 9,611 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Scott value $3,750.
90c Blue, Re-Issue (111). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
The 90c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 317 of the 90c were sold; the remaining 9,683 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
With 1991 P.F. certificate.