Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-17)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 99L4, large even margins all around which go well beyond the bottom plumes, face-free cancel leaves the entire design clearly visible, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia. THIS RARE AND REMARKABLE CLASSIC STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The extremely rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $49,900.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade to date and only one has graded higher.
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Plate 4, three ample to large margins, slightly in at top, exceptionally light, almost face-free cancel, couple "scoring" lines at extreme top, couple creasesFINE APPEARANCE. AN ACCEPTABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia, ESPECIALLY SO BECAUSE THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS AT THE BOTTOM ARE CANCEL-FREE.
This stamp is ungraded, but for reference the SMQ value for Good 30 is $4,050.00
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Mint N.H., large to huge margins all around incl. sheet margin at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression from Plate 2EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY GRADED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ as Mint N.H., SMQ $5,000.00 as hinged)
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 2, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, huge margins to barely touched incl. significant portion of adjoining stamp at left and at top, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 2008 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Cracked Plate (7 var). Position 12L2, unused (no gum), large margins to just in and clearly showing the flaw at right, few light toned spots, otherwise Very Fine example of this desirable variety, Scott Retail as with gum
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Positions 81-83/91-93R2, block of six with bottom left corner margins showing surface plate cracks at bottom, clearly apparent beneath 92R, ample to large other two sides, "patchy" disturbed original gum, excellent impression, few minor thin spots and wrinkles affect a few, others soundEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION-QUALITY MULTIPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II WITH HUGE SHEET MARGINS SHOWING THE CRACKS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF PLATE 2.
The Neinken book illustrates Positions 92-96R2 from the Newbury block of 18 with bottom margin showing the cracks, with the following comment: "This block shows the finest collection of small surface cracks I have ever seen on any Toppan, Carpenter plates. The largest group seems to have existed on the plate under 92R, and several of these run into this stamp, but not for any great distance." Neinken concludes that the Newbury block is from an early printing since, in all likelihood, the cracks wore down fairly quickly, as he had seen many singles, pairs and strips from the bottom row of plate 2R with sizeable sheet margins and none of them showed any surface cracks. Based on this information, the block offered here is most likely an early impression.
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Huge margins incl. significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, rich color, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, accompanied by cover and part of adjoining stamp
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, huge Jumbo margins showing bits of adjoining stamps top and right and trace at left, magnificent deep shade typical of Plate 4 printings, lightly struck circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE III. THIS STAMP'S ENORMOUS MARGINS AND LIGHT CANCEL HAVE EARNED IT THE COVETED P.S.E. GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO -- THE FIRST AND ONLY SCOTT 8 TO ACHIEVE SUCH SUPERIORITY.
Type III stamps have breaks in both the top and bottom outer lines (the break is usually wider at the top). This used single stands out among the examples of Scott 8 we have sold over many years. Using Power Search on our website, the extraordinary character of this stamp is demonstrable. Even the wonderful copy in our recent sale of the Tahoe Collection, which graded XF-Superb 95 and realized $21,000 hammer, falls short of this fantastic stamp. We would not be surprised to see this stamp realize a multiple of the SMQ value for 98.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $27,700.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). According to the P.S.E. Population Report, this is the only used No. 8 to have been awarded the grade of Superb 98 Jumbo (one 98 is reported, and none graded higher).
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, ample to mostly large margins, deep rich color, cancel removed (appears unused) and 11mm sealed tear, Very Fine appearance, a handsome stamp with wide breaks in outer lines, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, unused (no gum), three exceptionally large margins, essentially ample to clear at left, rich color and clear impression, small thin spot at top, Very Fine appearance, a scarce stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, large margins at sides and mostly clear to ample at top and bottom, choice deep color, light circular datestamp, couple trivial soiling specks on back, otherwise Very Fine
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Mint N.H., Position 98R1L, huge margins to full incl. sheet margin at bottom, showing clear double transfer at bottom, wonderful bright shade which is quite unusual for stamps printed from Plate 1 LateVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IV. WE HAVE OFFERED ONLY THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED SINGLES OF TYPE SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
A Power Search review indicates we have only offered three Mint N.H. singles (and an irregular block of four). The most famous of these was the example graded 100J by P.S.E., which realized $80,000 hammer in our 2008 Rarities Sale.
With 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ as Mint N.H., SMQ $900.00 as hinged). Unpriced in Scott as Mint N.H. Scott Retail as hinged
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Original gum, lightly hinged, large to huge margins incl. part of adjoining stamp at bottom, intense shade on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IV WITH THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 1992 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,600.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Large to enormous Jumbo margins, wonderful deep rich color with a sharp impression, cancelled by light blue circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IV AND ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A BLUE CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,850.00 as 98). Only four have graded higher to date
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Huge Jumbo margins, magnificent deep shade, bold circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, outstanding stamp and very conservatively graded by the P.F., with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $860.00)
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Ample to very large margins, wonderful deep rich color, faint blue cancel confined entirely to the left margin, really appears unused at a glance, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $310.00)
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 9R1L, the recut version of Type Ib on Plate 1 Early, ample to huge margins, beautiful deep color and face-free cancel, Very Fine and choice, this Type IV stamp shows the complete design at top, in its earlier state it was Type Ib Scott 5A, with 1989 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Orange Brown, Ty. I (10). Large to huge margins incl. parts of adjoining stamps at top and right, incredibly beautiful intense color, tied by vivid red grid on piece with matching "Cincinnati O. Jul. 13" (1851) circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp and fabulous piece which realized $100 in our October 1972 auction of the Marc Haas collection of used classics off cover
3c Orange Red, Ty. II (11A). Pos. 70R5L, huge right sheet margin with "Toppan, Carpen(ter)" portion of imprint, clear to large margins on other sides, lovely color, small delicate ms. cancel, Very Fine, scarce position single
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Horizontal pair, large even margins, light strikes of grid and red circular datestamp cancels, right stamp with faint margin crease at lower right mentioned only on new certificate, still Very Fine and choice, scarce multiple, the 10c Type I's come only from the bottom row, therefore the only multiples are pairs or strips (all blocks are combinations with other types), with 1976 and 2008 P.F. certificates
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, three large to huge margins incl. part of adjoining stamp at top, ample at left, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPE II.
Ex Argentum. With 1982, 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large margins to full at top, wonderful deep rich color, neat circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Huge margins incl. significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, two neat strikes of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a pretty stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $780.00)
10c Green, Ty. III/II/III (15/14/15). Vertical combination strip of three, three large to huge margins, ample at top, deep rich color, expertly removed ms. cancels, appears unused, top stamp tiny thin spot, bottom pair Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as three pen-cancelled singles
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 54L1, recut at bottom, large margins to full at right, rich color with light blue cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 74L1, recut at top, three ample to huge margins, clear at top, deep rich color, neat San Francisco circular datestamp, Fine, with 2088 P.S.E. certificate
12c Black (17). Position 50L1, huge straddle-pane centerline margin at right, ample to large other sides, lightly cancelled, Very Fine
12c Black (17). Position 25R1, three just clear to large margins, huge at right showing large part of 26R, bold Bristol R.I. circular datestamp, Very Fine
12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, large margins to clear, intense color, blue circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Positions 83-84L1, horizontal pair, intense shade and clear impression, three ample to large margins, ample to barely in at left, light circular datestamp and red "19" credit handstamp, Fine-Very Fine