Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 3c-5c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 11-12)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Mint N.H., Position 89RO, large and balanced margins all around, deep rich color and proof-like impression which shows every minute detail of the intricate lathework engraving, post-office fresh paper and gumEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ORANGE BROWN. A REMARKABLE CLASSIC STAMP IN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT CONDITION, WHICH HAS EARNED IT THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
The three or four examples of the 3c Orange Brown in Extremely Fine Gem Mint Never-Hinged condition come from blocks that were divided into singles in recent years. This single comes from the block of twelve formerly in the Piller and Zoellner collections.
Ex Piller, Zoellner (as part of a block), Silver Lake and Whitman. 1979 and 2004 P.F. certificates (one as Deep Orange Brown) no longer accompany. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition). This is the only graded Mint N.H. example of either Scott 10 or 10A. Scott Retail as hinged $3,250.00
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Original gum, h.r., ample margins to clear, radiant color, tiny corner crease at bottom left, Fine appearance, an attractive stamp
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Mint N.H., huge margins all around including top sheet margin and parts of five surrounding stamps, radiant color on bright paper, crisp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 3-CENT DULL RED TYPE I IMPERFORATE, WHICH IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Mint N.H. Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100 or as Mint NH; SMQ $5,000.00 as a hinged stamp graded 100). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart. For all of the imperforate issues (Scott 1-17), only four stamps in total have achieved this ultimate grade in Mint N.H. condition -- two of Scott 9 and two of Scott 11. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Vertical pair, original gum, lightly hinged at the top of each stamp, huge margins with portions of six adjoining stamps, pretty pastel colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
This is an uncommonly choice original-gum multiple of the 3c 1851 Issue. Pairs are encountered far more frequently in horizontal format.
With 2016 P.F. certificate
3c Claret, Ty. II (11A). Top right corner-margin position with corner sheet margins, enormous margins all around with portions of three adjoining stamps, vivid color, attractive strike of "Jul. 20" town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2016 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo)
5c Red Brown (12). D Relief from either the fourth or eighth row of the plate, original gum, single hinge mark at bottom, large to huge margins all around including significant portion of the adjoining stamp at right, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT FACE-DIFFERENT DESIGNS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound and original-gum condition. As the stamp offered here demonstrates, the spacing between stamps was very narrow. We measured the gap between the stamp and the portion of the adjoining design, and the space is only 1.2 millimeter wide. This left little margin for error when separating the stamps, and it explains why so few examples are known with four margins. When other factors such as gum, color and impression are taken into consideration, the rarity and beauty of the stamp offered here may be fully appreciated.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
5c Red Brown (12). Original gum, full margins all around, deep rich color, small sealed tear at lower left and tiny scissors-cut at left almost entirely in marginVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in original-gum condition. The spacing between stamps was very narrow, leaving little margin for error when separating the stamps, which explains why so few examples are known with four margins.
Ex Wunderlich. With 2017 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Full to large margins, rich color and sharp impression on bright paper, light New Orleans circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Large to ample margins, rich color, neat circular datestamp and trace of red cancel at left, Very Fine
5c Red Brown (12). Full even margins, rich color, light cancel with couple stray manuscript marks at top, Very Fine, Brettl and dealer backstamps and 2016 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as manuscript cancel
5c Red Brown (12). Large margins to clear at bottom, strong color, Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Ample margins to clear, rich color, neat New Orleans town cancel, Fine