Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — Scott 112-122 Used-PSE Set Registry #1 All-Time Finest Set
1c Buff (112). Brilliant color, bold strike of "PAID" straightline handstamp cancel, essentially perfectly centered
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY ONE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Brookman notes "The color of the stamp makes it difficult to find nicely cancelled copies and, since the stamp is rarely found well-centered, a truly superb copy is most difficult to find."
Ex Koppersmith and Saadi. With 1986 and 1991 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve it.
2c Brown (113). Bright shade, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, two strikes of blue quartered cork cancels
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 ISSUE GRADED SUBERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1998 and 2013 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (last graded Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others. The other two have black cancels.
3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color on bright paper, perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bold strike of blue segmented circular cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 3c 1869 Pictorial paid the basic domestic letter rate. While not as common as the 3c 1851, the 3c 1869 is readily available. Despite the large quantity issued, it is extremely difficult to obtain in higher grades.
With 2003 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (the latter Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve this grade.
6c Ultramarine (115). Brilliant color on crisp paper, wide margins and precise centering, face-free segmented cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Kirke and Curtis. With 2010 and 2019 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (latter graded XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (one at 95J, two at 98J) and only three others share this grade.
10c Yellow (116). Vivid color that jumps off the paper, nicely contrasts with the Japanese "X" cancel of Yokohama, essentially perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES IT. TRULY REMARKABLE IN EVERY RESPECT — COLOR, OVERALL FRESHNESS, CENTERING, PERFORATIONS AND CANCEL.
The Michael Laurence 10c book (p. 288) notes irrefutable evidence that this cancel originated in Yokohama, Japan. The "Lady Alcock" cover, sent from Yokohama to Shanghai, proves that it could only have been struck in Yokohama.
With 1992 P.F. certificate declining opinion on the origin of the cancel (before the "Lady Alcock" cover was widely known). With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other (without a Japanese cancel) shares it.
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and detailed impression, essentially perfect centering, quartered cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. A STAMP WITH GREAT VISUAL APPEAL AND ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The iconic S.S. Adriatic engraving by James Smillie, which is depicted on the 12c 1869 Pictorial Issue, served as a symbol of improved postal communications — a theme continued from the 1869 2c (post rider) and 3c (train) denominations.
With 1998 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 100J) and eight others share this lofty grade. Another in this grade is offered in this sale as lot 54.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unobtrusive strike of quartered cork cancel leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
In his book on the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Jonathan Rose notes that essays were made for both the Type I and II designs prior to the time the stamps were issued. The stamps were put on the press twice — first for the vignette and then for the frame. The challenge for the plate printer was to properly align the vignette when printing the frame. The addition of surrounding lines in the Type II design made any misalignment less noticeable.
Ex Lehman and Merlin. With 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (offered in our Kirke sale).
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, perfectly centered, bold strike of blue "P. & B. R.P.O. Nov." (Peoria & Burlington Railroad Post Office) circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED — this IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. the use of the RAILROAD DATESTAMP TO CANCEL THE STAMP IS EXTRAORDINARY IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
Ex Saadi. With 1989 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve it. The next highest grade is a 95.
24c Green & Violet (120). Gigantic margins on all four sides, perfectly centered, rich colors, the vignette is an especially dark and fine impression, neatly cancelled by Leaf cancel, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL — DUE TO THE NARROW SPACING BETWEEN STAMPS AND DIFFICULTY REGISTERING TWO COLORS, THIS STAMP RARELY COMES CENTERED WITHIN WIDE MARGINS. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY BOTH THE P.S.E. AND P.F. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 24c vignette was engraved by James Smillie from John Trumbull’s oil painting Declaration of Independence. There are two versions of this painting; one hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and the other at Yale University. Contrary to the popular belief that this painting depicts the signing ceremony, Trumbull actually painted a romanticized image of the presentation of the Declaration draft. There are 47 individuals portrayed in the painting, and the tiny engraving captures virtually all of them in minute detail. A similar engraving appears on the back of the 1863 First Charter $100 note, and the vignette is also found on 10c 1869 essays.
Ex Zoellner. With 1985, 1998 and 2014 P.F. certificates (last Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo).
30c Blue & Carmine (121). Perfectly centered with balanced Jumbo margins, rich colors and remarkable proof-like impression, perfect strike of quartered cork cancel and part of Washington D.C. circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS FAMOUS STAMP IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST USED SINGLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE AND COULD WELL BE THE TOP-RANKED EXAMPLE IN A CONDITION CENSUS OF ALL NON-ERROR 1869 PICTORIAL STAMPS. IT IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL SUPERB STAMP BY ASHBROOK'S STANDARDS — GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.F. AND SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — BOTH ARE THE HIGHEST GRADES AWARDED.
Ex Lehman, Haas, Grunin, Klein (where it realized the then-record price of $4,180) and Dr. Morris. With 1988, 1994 and 2014 P.F. certificates (last graded Superb 98 Jumbo). With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Looking at the P.S.E. Population Report, the highest grade awarded is 95J (four total). We have offered one other, and it is significantly smaller than the stamp offered here. We think P.S.E. disrespected this stamp with its 95J grade (in 2016) and wonder what a 98J is supposed to be in their view.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, well-struck circle of wedges cancel, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors.
Illustrated in Rose 1869 book (p. 165) where described as "A remarkable choice used 90c 1869 Lincoln with near perfect centering and an unusually light cancel." Illustrated in 1977 Register (p. 79). With 1969 and 1998 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (two at 95J, one each at 98 and 98J).