Sale 1212 — Superb United States Stamps and Private Die Proprietary Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 20-21 November, 2019
Category — Private Die Medicine Stamps: S thru Z
M., P. J. & H. M. Sands, 2c Green, Pink Paper (RS209c). Outstanding centering and margins, rich color, fresh in every respect, Extremely Fine, not a particularly rare stamp but very scarce in this quality
Scheetz's Celebrated Bitter Cordial, 4c Black, Imperforate (RS211b). Large even margins, intense shade and impression, completely soundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SOUND, LARGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE SCHEETZ'S 4-CENT IMPERFORATE ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEWER THAN TEN KNOWN.
Of the nine examples recorded in the Aldrich census, at least four (and probably more) have faults. This is the first sound example we have offered and is without doubt one of the finest if not the finest extant.
With 2019 P.F. certificate
Schenck's Mandrake Pills, 1c Green, Pink Paper, Schenck's Pulmonic Syrup, 6c Black, Watermarked (RS212c, RS213d). Both with ample to large margins, 1c Very Fine and choice, 6c Extremely Fine, also accompanied by a Schenck's label on "old" paper which exactly matches the size and design of the 1c Green stamp except for the lack of the U.S. Internal Revenue label (which was required in order for these private die proprietary stamps to be valid for revenue use), a wonderful trio, Scott Retail for just the two stamps
J. E. Schwartz & Co., 1c Lake, Silk Paper (RS215b). Huge Jumbo margins all around, vibrant color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp and scarce in this wonderful quality, the eagle vignette on the J.E. Schwartz and other Match & Medicine issues was used on a number of obsolete bank notes of the period, as well as the U.S. Carrier Issue, Scott LO2
J. E. Schwartz & Co., 1c Lake, Watermarked (RS215d). Horizontal pair with complete "Printed by the National Bank Note Co. New York" imprint at top, also showing monogram at top right, deep rich color, a couple small thin spots and a light vertical crease do not detract from its Extremely Fine appearance, a desirable position piece, the eagle vignette on the J.E. Schwartz and other Match & Medicine issues was used on a number of obsolete bank notes of the period, as well as the U.S. Carrier Issue, Scott LO2, Scott Retail as singles without premium for the imprint
A. L. Scovill & Co., 4c Green, Experimental Silk Paper (RS221e). Few short blue silk fibers, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, a lovely sound example of this scarce experimental silk paper issue, ex "Scarsdale" and Inman, with 2007 P.F. certificate, undercatalogued in Scott
Dr. M. A. Simmons, Iuka Miss., 1c Black, Silk Paper (RS223b). Massive margins, deep shade and crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, a huge stamp
Dr. M. A. Simmons, Iuka Miss., 1c Black, Watermarked (RS223d). Traces of original gum, intense shade and detailed impression, typical centering for this difficult issue, completely soundFINE. ONLY SIX EXAMPLES OF THE SIMMONS IUKA ISSUE ON WATERMARKED PAPER ARE RECORDED, AND ONLY THREE ARE SOUND. ONE OF THE GREAT PRIVATE DIE MEDICINE STAMP RARITIES.
The Dr. Simmons stamps were originally engraved and printed with the Iuka inscription. After the firm moved to St. Louis, the inscription was changed. The "Iuka" stamps were normally printed on silk paper, and the "St. Louis" stamps on Bureau watermarked paper. The "Iuka "on watermarked paper is a great rarity. Richard Friedberg offers the theory that the first supply delivered by the Bureau was printed with the "Iuka" inscription, and that Simmons returned the stamps with a request to change the address to St. Louis.
The Aldrich book records six examples, of which three are potentially sound. We have offered only one other since keeping computerized records -- the ex-Lilly, Tolman and "Scarsdale" copy -- with similar centering and top left corner sheet selvage. The 1991 Joyce sale had one, with similar centering and a thin spot. We have been unable to locate any others in the past several decades of auctions.
Ex Joyce and Inman. With 1993 P.F. certificate
S. N. Smith & Co., 4c Black, Silk and Watermarked Papers (RS225b, RS225d). Brilliant shades and wide balanced margins, Extremely Fine, while this issue has relatively low catalogue value, these beautiful designs are challenging to find in this choice quality, ex "Scarsdale"
H. R. Stevens, 6c Black, Pink Paper (RS230c). Choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem
James Swaim, 8c Orange, Old Paper, Imperforate (RS232a). Huge margins top and bottom, ample at sides, radiant color, vertical crease at center and light horizontal crease at bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT JAMES SWAIM IMPERFORATE ISSUE ON OLD PAPER. ONLY 14 ARE RECORDED.
A small supply was issued in imperforate form. The Aldrich book records 14 copies and notes half are sound, but we have been unable to locate any without at least a crease, and several we have offered had thins as well.
William Swaim, 8c Orange, Watermarked, Imperforate (RS234d). Huge margins all around, vivid color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE WILLIAM SWAIM 8-CENT ORANGE WATERMARKED IMPERFORATE ISSUE WE HAVE OFFERED IN AT LEAST 25 YEARS.
Only 35 examples are recorded in the Aldrich book, which notes that more than half are sound. We doubt that figure as every example we have offered since keeping computerized records has had a crease, thin or a combination of the two. This fresh large-margined example is surely one of the finest extant
Dr. G. W. Swett, 4c Green, Silk Paper, Perforated (RS237b). Choice centering with balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine example of this wonderful design, which depicts a woman hugging a deer beneath pine trees, easily one of the finest we have ever offered as many have faults or are off-center
United States Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Wrapper, Silk Paper (RS247b). Trimmed to design size, rich color on distinctly orange paper, some toning appears to be caused by gum residueVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT SILK PAPER BLACK ON ORANGE WRAPPER. ONLY FOUR ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF MEDICINE ISSUES.
The Aldrich book records only four examples, all of which are faulty.
United States Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Red Wrapper, Old Paper (RS248a). Three large margins, just in at left, usual creases and thin spots associated with these issuesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT UNITED STATES PROPRIETARY MEDICINE COMPANY ISSUE ON ORANGE RED WRAPPER.
Only 16 are recorded in the Aldrich book, of which 10 are reported as faulty. Given the nature of this paper, its size and use, we would be surprised if there are any examples that are completely sound.
Ex Tolman and "Scarsdale"
United States Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Red Wrapper, Silk Paper (RS248b). Clear impression, deep paper shade, large even margins three sides to full at left, light creases and wrinkles, tiny thin spots and light soilingFINE APPEARANCE. THE ONE-CENT UNITED STATES PROPRIETARY MEDICINE COMPANY ISSUE ON ORANGE RED SILK PAPER IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL PRIVATE DIE MEDICINE STAMPS.
Only three are recorded in the Aldrich census, making this the rarest of the U.S. Proprietary Medicine Co. wrappers. Of the three, one is reported as sound, though with the nature of this paper we would be surprised if any are truly sound.
Ex Joyce, Tolman and "Scarsdale". With 2006 P.F. certificate
West India Manufacturing Co., 4c Black, Die I, Pink Paper (RS264c). Original gum, h.r., well-centered with wide margins, intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice, scarce with original gum
Edward Wilder, 1c Green, Silk Paper, Imperforate (RS265b). Large margins, intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice
Edward Wilder, 1c Green, Watermarked, Imperforate (RS265d). Large to huge margins including sheet margin at bottom with "+" marker, lovely color and impression, light vertical creases, Extremely Fine appearance, only 35 are recorded in the Aldrich book and less than half are reported to be sound, however we question that as we have never offered a sound copy since keeping computerized records
Edward Wilder, 4c Lake, Silk Paper, Imperforate (RS268b). Large margins all around, rich color, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, 47 are recorded in the Aldrich book
Rev. E. A. Wilson, 12c Blue, Watermarked (RS270d). Extra wide margins at sides, closer at top and bottom but perfectly centered, rich color, neat manuscript cancel, thin spot at bottom, appears Extremely Fine, the best-centered example we have encountered, only 35 are recorded in the Aldrich book which states that less than half are sound (it is probably well less than half)
J. H. Zellin & Co., 2c Green, Pink Paper (RS277c). Block of four with complete "Printed by the National Bank Note Co. New York" imprint at right, large even margins on three sides, the huge imprint side nicely shows outline of the plate, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning position multiple of this issue, Scott Retail as singles without premium for the imprint -- which is quite rare
John T. Milliken & Co., -1/8c Black (RS365). Large margins all around, violet handstamp cancel, very slight wrinkling, still Extremely Fine and rare, the Milliken firm eventually merged with Abbott Laboratories in the late 1920s