Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1863-66 Issue (Scott 73-74)
2c Black, Imperforate (73 var). Large margins including part imprint margin at right, large manuscript "X" across faceEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN IMPERFORATE 2-CENT BLACK JACK STAMPS.
The 1861 Imperforates with manuscript "X" cancels are generally considered to be presentation copies. All are rare, and there are fewer than five known of the 2c Black Jack. This part imprint copy is the finest known example of the 2c.
Ex Metzger and Faust. With 1973, 1988 and 2018 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Detailed impression, unusually choice centering, cancelled by red "N. York Br. Pkt. 7 Paid" credit datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Intense shade and impression, nicely complemented by red "New-York City Dec. 27" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, ex Grunin, Haas and Metzger, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Choice centering, face-free strike of red cancel, possibly a Star in Circle, Extremely Fine, with 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Bold strike of red Circular Honeycomb fancy cancel, some toning along right edge, Extremely Fine strike, ex Allen (illustrated in Lane book on p. 89), Metzger and Faust, with 2018 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). With bottom part imprint and plate no. 50 selvage, centered to top left, red New York Star in Circle fancy cancel and part of circular datestamp, fresh and Fine, a striking plate number single of the Black Jack with a red fancy cancel, especially rare from the elusive Plate 50 -- only a handful are known in any format, ex Metzger and Faust, with 2018 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Crisp impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2015 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Huge margins at sides, deep shade, bold strike of blue "Cincinnati O. Apr. 2" circular datestamp, Very Fine, a striking Black Jack with a blue cancel, ex Faust, with 2018 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Deep shade, ultramarine intertwined "U.S." fancy cancel, Very Fine, extremely rare with an ultramarine cancel, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records, the P.F. has certified only this stamp and a pair on cover, with 2009 P.F. certificate, Scott assigns a paltry premium of $150.00 for the ultramarine cancel, which is less than they assign for a magenta cancel
2c Black (73). Detailed impression, green cancel with part of matching circular datestamp, submitted as negative four-leaf clover cancel but certificate declines opinion on its shape, Fine, scarce with a green cancel, with 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Crisp impression, bright green quartered cork cancel, Very Fine, a remarkably bright green cancel, with 2002, 2011 and 2017 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Detailed impression, deep green cork cancel, Very Fine, rare with a green cancel, with 1985 A.P.S. and 2015 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair, both with clear strikes of Man Smoking Pipe fancy cancel of Waterbury Conn. (Rohloff E-1), faint impression of double-circle datestamp at left, left stamp tiny thin spot, right stamp two tiny edge tears at bottomVERY FINE STRIKES OF THIS ICONIC WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, FANCY CANCEL. THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO RECORDED BLACK JACK STAMPS WITH POSTMASTER HILL'S "MAN SMOKING PIPE" CANCEL.
Ex Emerson, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Rorke and Faust. With 2018 P.F. certificate noting "stamps with small faults"
2c Black (73). Cancelled by perfect strike of Devil and Pitchfork fancy cancel of West Meriden Conn., tear at bottom, small corner crease at bottom right, a choice strike of this intricate fancy cancel, especially scarce on the Black Jack issue, with 2010 P.F. certificate, for a history of this fancy cancel, go to http://www.ctpostalhistory.com/CtPP/Postal_Markings_files/D%26PArticleJan2016XXXLR.pdf , a fascinating article on this subject by William Duffney also appeared in the 2017 Congress Book.
2c Black (73). Tied by bold strike of Union Soldier's Head fancy cancel of New York City on small yellow piece, Extremely Fine strike, the creation and use of this fancy cancel in the Spring of 1866 coincided with the return of soldiers from the Civil War, it is known on at least one domestic cover, but apparently the cancelling device migrated to the foreign-mail exchange office, where it was used to cancel stamps on mail to foreign countries, as such it is most often found on 24c and 30c 1861 Issues, we have offered only one other on a Black Jack, with 2017 P.F. certificate as on cover to Germany
2c Black (73). Centered to left, bold strike of Blue Bird fancy cancel of Rockford Ill., single unpunched perf at right, Very Fine strike which is nearly always found on the 3c, very desirable on the 2c Black Jack, this is the only example listed in Power Search
2c Black (73). Cancelled by clear strike of blue "G" within Masonic Square and Compass in Circle fancy cancel of Pomfret Conn., Very Fine strike of this distinctive cancel, ex Allen (illustrated in Lane book on p. 89 and shown as the enlarged photo in the introduction, clearly a favorite of the author), Metzger and Faust, with 2018 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Deep shade, well-struck Three-Leaf Clover fancy cancel of Brooklyn N.Y., choice centering, Extremely Fine stamp and cancel, with 1998 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Three wide margins with natural straight edge at right, bold strike of "Paid 22" in circle rate handstamp, small adherence at left of first "2" of "22", Extremely Fine strike and undoubtedly rare on the Black Jack, ex Faust, with 2018 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Block of four, attractive centering and margins, neat strikes of Philadelphia circular datestamp, bottom left stamp few slightly nibbed perfs at bottom not noted on certificateVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED USED BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE. THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST USED BLOCK IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Ishikawa and Faust. With 2018 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, strong vibrant color, far superior centering than normally seen on this issueEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE VERY SCARCE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum.
With 2010 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Choice centering, rich color, bold "D" oval grid duplex cancel of New York City Station DVERY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW POSTALLY CANCELLED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL COLOR ON STAMP PAPER. VERY FEW ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST, AND THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST.
As documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. A small number were also used by J. W. Scott, who posted letters with some of his supply to validate his claim that these stamps were legitimate postage. Today, there are perhaps five or six copies cancelled in this manner. Virtually all of the others have faults.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1996 P.F. certificate.
3c Scarlet (74). Bright color, bold strike of "PO" in oval grid duplex cancel of New York City, few short perfs at top where scissors separated, corner perf crease at top rightFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET WITH A NEW YORK CITY OVAL DUPLEX CANCELLATION AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE WITH THE "PO" INSTEAD OF STATION "D". ONLY A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THIS ISSUE WERE ACTUALLY SENT THROUGH THE MAILS.
As documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. A small number were also used by J. W. Scott, who posted letters with some of his supply to validate his claim that these stamps were legitimate postage. Today, there are perhaps five or six copies cancelled in this manner, but this is the only one we record with the "PO" cancel. The others have Station "D", as seen in the previous lot.
Ex Drews. With 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Enormous bottom left corner sheet margin, other sides large, manuscript "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in three lines, presumed to be in the hand of James Macdonough, one of the founders of the National Bank Note Company, creases not readily apparent on faceEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING -- ONE OF THREE RECORDED WITH THE MANUSCRIPT INITIALS AND DATE.
Of the three with manuscript initials and date, two are imperforate. The other imperforate was offered in the third Ferrary sale in lot 477. All three initialed and dated 3c Scarlet items are without gum and are identical in shade. It is possible that they originate from an ungummed and partially perforated sheet or pane containing subjects that were individually initialed and dated by Macdonough. The sole perforated example was offered in our Sale 826, lot 235.
Ex Floyd. With 1999 and 2015 P.F. certificates.#
Note: There are three signed imperforate examples, including:
1.) The example offered here
2.) Siegel Sale 1195, lot 166
3.) In horizontal pair, left stamp signed and initialled, right stamp with two vertical parallel penstrokes, Siegel Sale 1092, lot 1062.