Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 12c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 36-39)
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with perforations clear of framelines virtually all around, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE PERFORATED 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS STAMP EASILY RANKS AS ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES EXTANT.
The stamp offered here is completely sound with proof-like impression and original gum. It shows the outer frameline on all four sides virtually without interruption. There are very few examples of Scott 36B that exist in condition comparable to that of the stamp offered here.
With 1991 P.F. certificate as Plate 1, Scott No. 36
12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Well-centered, deep shade, cancelled by blue circular datestamp with "5cts" integral rate showing on stamp, Very Fine, unusual, with 1999 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, Very Fine
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Well-centered, grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, small natural inclusion by Washington's lip (not mentioned on certificate), Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade, beautifully centered and unusually fresh, tiny hole in top left stamp has been sealed upVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
Ex Lilly and 1993 Rarities sale (as a block of six with the tiny hole described)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Near perfect centering, deep shade and sharp impression, grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, Imperforate (37c). Without gum as issued, three huge margins, clear to just barely in at top, intense color, Very Fine, scarce, according to Brookman, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 Imperforates come from a trial printing of the finished designs submitted to the Postmaster General for final opinion, the designs and colors match the regular issues (unlike essays and trial color proofs)
30c Orange (38). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color, Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (38). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant colorVERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
This block clearly demonstrates why it is so difficult to find this issue with choice centering. The narrow space between subjects on the plate makes it almost impossible for the perforations to clear the design on all four sides.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (38). Rich color, nicely centered, razor-sharp strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
90c Blue (39). Original gum, deep rich color, choice centering with unusually wide margins, couple barely nibbed perfs at right, otherwise Very Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (39). Intense shade and impression, wide margins on three sides, perfs touch at bottom, cancelled by grid in circleFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies are scarce and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound.
With 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates
90c Blue, Imperforate (39a). Without gum as issued, large margins to clear at top, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 90-CENT IMPERFORATE.
According to Brookman, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 Imperforates come from a trial printing of the finished designs submitted to the Postmaster General for final opinion. The designs and colors match the regular issues (unlike essays and trial color proofs). One pair is known of the 90c. For many years these were listed in the front of Scott Catalogue.
A Power Search review did not find another four-margin single offered outside of a set.