Sale 1108 — The Robert Bowman Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 29 September, 2015
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-78a)
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, bold strike of circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice example of this scarce shade, with 1987 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color nicely complemented by blue (indigo) circular datestamp, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT IN THE PINK COLOR.
With 1976 and 1992 P.F. certificates, both describing the color of the cancel as Indigo.
3c Rose Pink (64b). Bright shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins, long and full perforations, neat face-free strike of segmented grid cancel of Philadelphia, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1995 and 1998 P.F. certificates, the former as on piece
5c Buff (67). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, radiant color, bright red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Due to narrow spacing on the 5c plate, it is very difficult to find centered copies with the perforations clear of the design on all sides. The stamp offered here, with its choice centering, may be considered a condition rarity.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1982 and 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. We have sold three of the other four, and this is the only one with a red cancel.
5c Buff (67). Rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, wide margins with perforations clear of outer projections on all sides, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate and No. 67a
12c Black (69). Unusually wide margins all around, deep shade on bright paper, grid cancel, most recent certificate notes two shorter perfs at top left, still an Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Dr. Morris, with 1991 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $800.00), we can only imagine what this would have graded without the two shorter perfs call
24c Red Lilac (70). Beautiful centering and rich color in early Red Lilac shade, neat red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $900.00), the highest grade thus far is a 95 (the stamp offered here is a very strong 90)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Intense shade and proof-like impression, bold strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1988 and 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,600.00). Only two have graded higher (both at 95)
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Intense shade and impression, bold grid cancel, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Vivid color, neat target and circular datestamp cancels, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $350.00)
90c Blue (72). Wide margins and nearly perfect centering, intense color and crisp impression, neat grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT BLUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1985 and 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00) Only six have graded higher.
90c Pale Blue (72a). Beautiful color in the distinct Pale Blue shade, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT IN THE PALE BLUE SUB-SHADE. A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS SHADE, AND ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE, THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
A review using Power Search found that we have only offered eight unused and used examples of this shade since keeping computerized records. A review of the Philatelic Foundation's online records found a slightly greater supply, but most tend to be either defective or poorly centered.
With 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; this shade is unpriced in SMQ, SMQ $4,500.00 as the much more common main shade of Scott No. 72.) This is the highest grade awarded to this shade and only one other shares it.
5c Red Brown (75). Lovely "fiery" shade on bright paper, choice centering, unusual grid in circle cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,300.00), only six have graded higher (all at 95)
15c Black (77). Crisp impression on bright paper, wide margins, neat circle of wedges cancel, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN.
With 1992 and 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). Only three have graded higher, a statistic that has not changed in over three years, and only six others share this grade.
24c Lilac (78). Extraordinary Jumbo margins, rich color, unobtrusive cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, scarce with such wide margins, with 1995 P.F. certificate
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Crisp shade, light strike of quartered cork and trace of red cancel, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate