Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — 1861-68 Issue (Scott 56-111)
1c Dark Blue (63b). Deep dark color in this distinctive shade, well-centered, bold target cancels, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2003 P.S.E. and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
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24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Remarkably choice centering for this difficult issue, intense shade and proof-like impression on crisp paper, neat strike of circle of wedges within circle cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PALE GRAY VIOLET SHADE ON THIN PAPER. A STAMP WITH GREAT VISUAL APPEAL.
Ex Zoellner, "Natalee Grace" and Curtis. With 1994 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ $2,250.00).
90c Blue (72). Rich color, large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, small corner crease at bottom right, Very Fine appearance
15c Black (77). Intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually wide and balanced margins for this difficult issue, segmented grid cancel and also trace of red transit cancel at bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
The 1866 15c Lincoln is one of the most difficult denominations to obtain in such choice used condition. The most common barrier to a high grade is the size of the side margins, which are often narrow. The stamp offered here is the exception. It has wide and balanced margins on all four sides, a strong impression, and a neat cancel which leaves the entire design clearly visible.
Ex Merlin. With 2010 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade.
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright shadeVERY FINE. THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH DECENT CENTERING. A REMARKABLE STAMP.
As an indication of rarity, Scott Catalogue values Scott 91 at $4,500.00 without gum, and $12,500.00 with original gum. Only one has been graded by P.S.E., at VF 80.
With 2005 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill, Thin Paper (96). Almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, rich color, circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1996, 2003 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Choice centering, crisp shade, unobtrusive cork and blue cancels, reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1992 (clear) and 2021 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Re-Issue (102). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS EXCEPTIONAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
Ex Odeneal and "Beverly Hills". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $5,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any gum category and it is shared by only two others
2c Black, Re-Issue (103). Original gum, intense shade and impression on crisp paper, outstanding centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 2c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 979 of the 2c were sold; the remaining 9,021 were destroyed on July 16, 1884. The 2c plate can be easily identified by a spot on the cheek.
Ex Whitman. With 1995 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to an original gum example, and it has been equaled by only five others.
2c Black, Re-Issue (103). Original gum, h.r., filled thins in corners and perf flaw at upper left, otherwise Very Fine, ex Faust
15c Black, Re-Issue (108). Original gum, intense shade and detailed impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 15c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 397 of the 15c were sold; the remaining 9,603 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to an original gum example and it has been achieved by only five others