Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1861 Issue, cont. (Scott 71-72)
30c Orange (71). Rich color, beautiful centering, neat strike of "PAID" in circle cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00). Only four grade higher (two at 95J, one each at 98 and 98J) and five others share this desirable grade.
30c Orange (71). Rich color, choice centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, handstamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00). Only four grade higher (two at 95J, one each at 98 and 98J) and five others share this desirable grade.
30c Orange (71). Bright color, red quartered cork cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
30c Orange (71). Choice centering, bold strike of Philadelphia "Mummers" fraternal fancy cancel, Very Fine strike on an Extremely Fine stamp, mumming involves colorful costumes and folk plays, every year in Philadelphia mummers have a parade on New Year's day, with 2006 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Bright color, choice centering, magenta segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, scarce with a magenta cancel on such a nice stamp, with 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (71). Bright color, bold strike of Cogwheel fancy cancel of New York City, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1987 and 2020 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (71). Choice centering with wide margins, rich color, well-struck "X" cancel of Yokohama, Japan, Very Fine and choice, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value without premium for the cancel, which is listed but unpriced
30c Orange (71). Rich color, well-struck "U" for "Union" in 6-Point Star in Circle fancy cancel of New York City, additional red cancel at bottom, Extremely Fine strike, with 2007 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Vivid color, cancelled by red circular datestamp and Rose in Circle fancy cancel of Amherst Mass. small tear and thin spots at top, an Extremely Fine strike of this beautiful and rare fancy cancel, ex Saadi, with 1997 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Natural straight edge at left with interpane margin showing part guideline, rich color, bold strike of Horse's Head fancy cancel of New York City, Very Fine and choice strike of this scarce fancy cancel, with 2007 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Bold central strike of negative "A" fancy cancel, Extremely Fine strike, with 2008 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Interpane margin at right with part guideline, blue West Point N.Y. Revenue double-oval datestamp, small corner crease at top right, Very Fine appearance, scarce with a revenue cancel, with 2010 P.F. certificate, Scott value with no premium for the cancel
90c Blue (72). Bright shade, cork cancel, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT BLUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only five grade higher.
90c Dark Blue (72b). Intense color and proof-like impression in the distinct Dark Blue shade, nicely complemented by red grid cancel, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT IN THE DESIRABLE DARK BLUE SUB-SHADE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS SHADE IN EXISTENCE. A MARVELOUS STAMP IN TERMS OF COLOR, CANCELLATION, CENTERING AND OVERALL EYE APPEAL.
The Dark Blue shade of the 90c is the only shade which trends towards the deeper end of the color spectrum, while the other shades--Blue, Dull Blue and Pale Blue--all trend towards the brighter end of the spectrum. In our opinion this is the most difficult shade to obtain in such choice condition. We have offered only two unused and 8-10 used examples since the mid-1990s, and most of those were faulty. The Philatelic Foundation has certified less than a dozen unused or used in the past decade, and most have either heavy cancels or flaws. The example offered here, with unusually choice centering, rich color, a colored cancel and in sound condition, is possibly the finest used copy in existence.
Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1988, 2001 and 2012 P.F. certificates.
90c Blue (72). Rich color on bright paper, nicely complemented by red grid cancel, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2006 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Pretty shade, wide margins, bold quartered cork cancel and rim of red circular datestamp at bottom, Extremely Fine, with 1984 and 2001 P.F. certificates
90c Pale Blue (72a). Radiant color, choice centering, light strike of target cancel, P.F. certificate no. 487322 notes small thin spot at top center (does not accompany), still Extremely Fine, this is a difficult shade to obtain with anything approaching decent centering and in sound condition, only three grade higher than an 80, with 2017 P.F. certificate not noting any faults