Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — 1847 Issue
5c Orange Brown (1b). Huge margins all around, warm shade beautifully complemented by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE.
With 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00)
5c Red Orange (1c). Large to huge margins all around, radiant color in the true Red Orange shade which is nicely complemented by blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE AND DESIRABLE RED ORANGE SHADE.
According to a series of articles by the late Calvet M. Hahn in the Collector's Club Philatelist, the Red Orange shade was printed some time during the fourth and last printing, which took place in December 1850.
With 2007 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (both graded XF-Superb 95; SMQ $16,500.00). Only one other shares this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.
10c Black (2). Position 90L1, accompanying P.F. certificate notes "remnants of original gum" while P.S.E. certificate states "original gum", the P.S.E.'s opinion more accurately describes a layer of original gum covering most of the stamp, large to huge margins all around showing frameline of adjoining stamp at bottom, sharp proof-like impression clearly showing every detail of the engravingEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FOUR LARGE MARGINS. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.
The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law’s effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.
The early imperforate issues are often found with margins close or cutting into the design, because of the difficulty in manually cutting along the narrow gap between stamps. This stamp, with its mostly intact smooth original gum, large margins and beautiful impression, surely ranks among the finest known original-gum examples of the first United States postage issue.
Ex Scarsdale. With 2001 P.F. certificate and 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF 80; SMQ $40,500.00). Only one example has graded higher to date (VF-XF 85) and only one other shares this grade.
10c Black (2). Position 79L1, huge margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, intense shade and impression nicely complemented by blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1991 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $7,800.00). Only three have graded higher to date (at 98J) and only seven others share this grade.
10c Black (2). Large to huge margins incl. sheet margin at left, crisp shade nicely complemented by red New York square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,750.00)
10c Black (2). Large to huge margins with detailed impression, neat red New York square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT BLACK 1847 ISSUE.
With 1978 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,150.00)
10c Black (2). Huge margins all around incl. sheet margin at left, clear strike of red "PHILADA. RAIL ROAD" straightline handstamp, tiny pinhole in collar areaEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE PHILADELPHIA RAILROAD STRAIGHTLINE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00 as 85, $2,350.00 as 90)
10c Black, Double Transfer Ty. B (2-B). Position 31R, large margins to full, crisp impression, neat strike of red grid cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLY FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE B.
The double transfer Type B is most noticeable in the "POST OFFICE" label at top. With 2004 P.F. certificate
10c Black, Double Transfer Ty. C (2-C). Position 2R1, large and even margins all around, bright shade, unobtrusive strike of blue circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE C.
The double transfer Type C is most noticeable in the "X" at lower right. With 1996 and 2004 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,750.00 as normal with no premium for the double transfer)
10c Black, "Stick Pin" in Tie (2 var). Position 52L1, large and even margins all around, intense shade and impression, red and black grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE SO-CALLED "STICK PIN" VARIETY.
With 1995, 2002 and 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,850.00 as normal with no premium for the variety)
10c Black (2). Horizontal strip of five, Positions 85-89L1, large margins to in, tied by red grid cancels on small piece, few flaws incl. creases, tears and scrapesFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE HORIZONTAL STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE. VERY FEW LARGE USED MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN.
Very few multiples of this size are known. The famous Rush cover (sold by Siegel in 2006 for $1,200,000 hammer) has a horizontal strip of six, as does a cover used from Mobile to New York. The Kapiloff collection contained a cover with a horizontal strip of five and also a strip of three. A horizontal strip of five with a single is known used on the famous Little Miami Railroad cover, and another is also known off cover (ex Caspary). Strips of four are known used, most of which probably paid the transcontinental rate.
With 1996 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as strip of three and pair does not adequately convey the rarity of this multiple.
5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). Large margins all around, 10c stamp used first and cancelled by blue grid, matching "Buffalo N.Y. 10 Feb. 21" integral-rate circular datestamp on blue 1850 folded letter to Albany N.Y. and forwarded to Albion N.Y., 5c stamp used for forwarding and tied by red handstamp, matching "Albany N.Y. Feb. 25" circular datestamp ties 10c stamp, lightened waterstain at top left, small repair at top center of coverVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A COLORFUL AND RARE COMBINATION OF THE 5-CENT AND 10-CENT FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUES.
This cover was discovered by Ezra Cole more than 60 years ago and was last offered to the market in our 1992 Kapiloff sale. It is illustrated in Classic United States Imperforate Stamps by Jon Rose. Illustrated in Graham's "Postal History and Stamps: A Colorful Combination, 1847-1861" in American Philatelist of April 1978.
Ex Kapiloff. With Ashbrook notation on back. With 1992 P.F. certificate