Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1861-68 Issues (Scott 56-97)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, rich color, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, ex "Clipper City", with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, an outstanding Mint N.H. example of this issue, ex Wingate, with 1990 P.F. certificate for a 3 x 5 block of 15 (this the 12th stamp), with 1999 P.F. certificate as this single, Scott value as hinged
1c Blue (63). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade on bright paper, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 and 2017 P.F. certificates
1c Ultramarine (63a). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color in this distinctive shadeVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE RARE ULTRAMARINE SHADE.
In his 1c book, Don Evans devotes almost an entire column on p. 33 to a discussion of the Ultramarine shade. He notes it is "extremely scarce" and that apart from the Ultramarine and Indigo shades, "the remaining shades are comparatively plentiful."
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. (as a block of four), 2005 A.P.S. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00), only seven grade higher (six at 95, one at 98) and none share this grade, Scott value as hinged
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with much wider margins than usually encountered on this difficult stamp, sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING.
Ex Morton. With 2002 and 2020 P.F. certificates
10c Green (68). Original gum, deep rich color and detailed impression, unusually wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.F. certificate
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Original gum, rich color, attractive margins and centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC.
The color of this stamp is a soft brownish shade, which is quite distinctive and much different than the Red Lilac (1862) or later Lilac (1863-66) printings. It is particularly difficult to obtain in sound, centered and original-gum condition.
With 2015 P.F. certificate for a pair (the other stamp in the pair was offered in our Sale 1209, lot 1117).
2c Black (73). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex "Clipper City". With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition). Only six Mint N.H. examples are listed in the P.S.E. Population Report. This is one of two graded XF 90 -- the highest grade awarded. Scott value as hinged
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, lovely warm colorVERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 RED BROWN.
A Power Search review shows that we have offered very few sound and centered original-gum examples of this issue.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown (76). Original gum, deep rich color and detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1985, 2000 and 2017 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful deep Rose shade characteristic of early regular-issue 3c grilled stamps, strong grill impression, choice centering on fresh paper with long full perfs all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL COPY OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL. AN ELUSIVE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1983, 2002 and 2013 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). This stamp has always brought more than its grade would indicate -- it realized $2,200 hammer in 2003 and $2,800 hammer in 2015.
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, radiant color, clearly defined grill pointsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SOUND CONDITION WITH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2017 P.F. certificate.
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, intense shade and crisp impression, clearly defined grill, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $1,650.00), only two grade higher (at 95) and five others share this grade
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, brilliant color on bright paper, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of this issue, with 1988 and 1999 P.F. certificates
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, clearly defined grill, beautifully centered with balanced margins, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
With 1986 and 2008 P.F. certificates