Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 62B-78)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Wide margins and choice centering, wonderful dark shade and intense impression of the First Design printing, which provides the backdrop for a vivid red "New York Paid Oct. 20" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT GREEN FIRST DESIGN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE 1861 ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 10c 1861 First Design (or Type I) was printed from Plate 4, which left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B (or 58) are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides. The stamp offered here is the rare exception, and it is even more remarkable as a used copy, free of faults, and with a complementary red cancel.
Ex "European Connoisseur". With 2015 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Attractive margins and centering, fabulous deep rich color characteristic of this "August" printing, face-free light corner strike of red circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Wide margins and precise centering, rich color, face-free strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, an uncommonly choice example of a common stamp, with 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 used)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Choice centering, bright shade beautifully contrasted by red New York circular datestamp cancel.EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN YELLOW, CANCELLED IN RED.
With 2018 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
12c Black (69). Intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering, light strike of violet grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, rare with the violet cancel, ex Saadi and Morton, with 1991 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), Scott value as purple cancel
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color on bright paper, exceptional centering with balanced margins, red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC ISSUE CANCELLED IN RED, AND GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded.
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Crisp shade and detailed impression nicely complemented by vivid red circle of V's cancel, Extremely Fine, a distinctive example of the 24c Brown Lilac with red cancel, ex Saadi, with 1983, 1989 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Essentially perfect centering, beautiful color in the true Steel Blue shade, well-struck large Boston "Paid" grid cancel and also red "1d" British colonial credit marking at bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. A STAMP WITH WONDERFUL EYE APPEAL.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. It is extremely rare in this superb used condition and is even more desirable with the red British handstamp.
Ex Kirke and Morton. With 1994, 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
24c Steel Blue (70b). Choice centering and margins, intense color and impression nicely contrasted by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE, CANCELLED IN RED.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Precise centering, vivid color, face-free strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00) -- only four grade higher
30c Orange (71). Choice centering with balanced margins, bright color complemented by red grid cancels, double-struck with the effect of appearing as a leaf, fresh and Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 2002 and 2015 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Jumbo margins and choice centering, bright color, cork cancels leave the vignette unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT BLUE WITH EXCEPTIONALLY WIDE MARGINS.
With 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90) -- this stamp certainly deserves a Jumbo appellation
90c Blue (72). Rich color on bright paper, wide margins and beautifully centered, deep rich color nicely contrasted by red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1996 and 2005 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (75). Essentially perfect centering, deep rich color which we feel is the Dark Red Brown (certified as Red Brown), cancelled by rim of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 RED BROWN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Brookman notes "I consider the used Red Brown to be more scarce than Buff but the Buff is more scarce unused".
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate as Red Brown (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded
5c Red Brown (75). Wide margins, deep rich color, light red grid cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Choice centering and margins, vivid color in a much brighter and redder shade than the previous two lots, face-free cancel, Very Fine and choice
5c Red Brown (75). Wonderful depth of color, well-centered, bold red grid cancels, Very Fine
15c Black (77). Jumbo margins and choice centering, cork cancel leaves vignette unobscured, also trace of red cancel at right, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Floyd, with 1992 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo), Scott value for black cancel
24c Lilac (78). Well-centered, rich color, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)