Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 3c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 10-11A)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. I/II (10/10A). Positions 90/100R1E, vertical pair, top stamp Type I, bottom stamp Type II with right inner line recut only, huge margins to full including bottom right corner sheet margins, attractive bright color, bold strikes of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE PAIR OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ORANGE BROWN FROM TWO POSITIONS ON PLATE ONE EARLY SHOWING A COMBINATION OF TYPES I AND II. THIS WONDERFUL 1851 ISSUE MULTIPLE HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The bottom stamp is an Extremely Fine Gem with corner sheet margins. With 2012 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; pairs not priced in SMQ)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Position 33R5E, enormous margins all around including significant portion of adjoining stamps at sides, radiant color, neat grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ORANGE BROWN 1851 ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1987 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unlisted in grades higher than 95 for No. 10A, SMQ $2,600.00 as 98 for No. 10). Only two Type I or II stamps have received this lofty grade with none higher.
3c Deep Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Large to huge margins including sheet margin at top and portion of adjoining stamp at bottom, incredible depth of color, detailed impression, neat strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE IN THE DEEP ORANGE BROWN SHADE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,600.00 as No. 10 in normal Orange Brown shade, unlisted in 98 grade as No. 10A). Only two Type I or II stamps have received this desirable grade with only two higher (at 98J)
3c Deep Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Large to huge margins including top sheet margin, spectacular depth of color, neat blue grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00 for normal Orange Brown)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Position 4L5E with right inner line recut only, large to huge margins including significant portion of adjoining stamp at bottom and sheet margin at top, intense shade and proof-like impression, bold strike of small Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Clear stitch watermark, large to huge margins showing framelines of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, deep rich color, town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00 as normal)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Deep rich color, choice full margins, town cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $365.00)
3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. I (11). Mint N.H. block of four, pristine gum without the tiny disturbances often encountered on otherwise Mint N.H. examples of this issue, intense color and post office fresh, large margins to clear at all pointsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN INCREDIBLY RARE SOUND, MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT 1851 TYPE I IN THE BROWNISH CARMINE SHADE. A SPECTACULAR SHOWPIECE.
A Power Search review found one irregular block of five that is never-hinged but with small gum disturbance spots. It is also cut into in several places. Other than that block we have sold no Mint N.H. blocks of Types I or II since keeping computerized records.
With 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; blocks unpriced in SMQ). Scott Retail of $2,100.00 for a hinged block of four does not remotely convey the rarity of this Mint N.H. block.
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Position 73R4, absolutely massive margins all around including significant portions of all eight adjoining stamps, brilliant color, crisp impression, circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE. THIS IS THE TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF A GEM 100 JUMBO.
With 1983 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $475.00 as 98)
3c Claret, Ty. I (11). Perfect margins which capture portions of six adjoining stamps, deep rich color on fresh paper, bold strike of town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE IN THE CLARET SHADE WHICH HAS RECEIVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM P.S.E.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $475.00 as 98 Dull Red)
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Huge to enormous margins including bottom left sheet corner and parts of the three other adjoining stamps, magnificent color described as Dull Red on certificates but is a very deep shade closer to Brownish Carmine, neat circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS GORGEOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1851 TYPE II HAVE ACHIEVED THIS GRADE.
With 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $550.00 as 98), Only two other Type II's and five Type I's have achieved this perfect grade
3c Deep Claret, Ty. II (11A). Huge margins which capture parts of seven adjoining stamps, deep rich color, light town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2006 P.F. (Superb 98 Jumbo) and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00 as 98 Dull Red, unpriced in higher grade)
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Massive side margins capturing large portions of adjoining stamps, full to large at top and bottom, pretty color, corner strike of town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $550.00 as 98)
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Position 11L5L, brilliant color, huge margins including parts of five adjoining stamps, two letters of town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade)
3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A). Position 99R2L with upper label block and right diamond block joined, large even margins, deep rich color, neat grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $550.00 as Dull Red)
3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A). Position 19L3, deep rich color, large margins with portions of five adjoining stamps, bright orange red segmented cork cancel which is similar to the killer used on Louisville & Cincinnati Mail Line covers, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2004 P.F., 1995 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $225.00 as Dull Red)
3c Rose Red, Ty. II (11A). Position 90R3, beautiful color in this bright sub-shade, clear margins all around capturing frame line of stamp below, cancelled by bold strike of red town datestamp, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 1991 and 2004 P.F. certificates, with 1992 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $85.00 as Dull Red)
3c Claret, Ty. II (11A). Positions 10/20L5, vertical pair, huge margins all around including top right corner sheet margins, brilliant color on bright paper, clearly-struck circular datestamp, accompanying P.F. certificate notes tiny toned spot in bottom stamp above the "U" of "U.S." which is there but utterly insignificant, still Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 2012 P.F. certificate as Claret, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate with default shade classification as Dull Red (Superb 98; pairs not priced in SMQ), this is the highest grade awarded to a pair and no others have achieved this grade
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Positions 28-29L2L, horizontal pair, large margins all around including parts of frame lines of adjoining stamps at top and right, vivid color and clear impression, blue Philadelphia circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a fresh and beautiful pair, with 2011 P.F., 2001 and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; pairs unpriced in SMQ)
3c Plate 2 Orange Brown, Ty. II (11A var). Position 31L2L, vivid color, wide margins to clear at bottom left, neat strike of blue circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, a gorgeous example of this rare and desirable Plate 2L shade, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90), with 2010 P.S.E. certificate as No. 10A Orange Brown which it is not (VF-XF 85)