Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1875 Reprint of 1857-60 Issue (Scott 40-47)
1c Bright Blue, Reprint (40). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS ONE-CENT 1857 REPRINT HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. IT MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade (the next-highest is a 95). As another indication of rarity, SMQ does not even price this above the grade of 95. Accompanied by note from master grader Dr. William Litle which states in part "I'll bet this is the best in existence"
3c Scarlet, Reprint (41). Without gum as issued, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, well-balanced margins for this extremely difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1857 RE-ISSUE.
Only 479 sold. With 1967 and 1989 P.F. certificates
5c Orange Brown, Reprint (42). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, detailed impression, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 REPRINT. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
As collectors of high-grade stamps know only too well, the 5c 1857 Reprint (878 sold) is notorious for its typically tight margins and poor centering. Before seeing this stamp, we doubted that any example could achieve the coveted XF-Superb 95 grade. Yet Alan Whitman managed to acquire one which has now been awarded a P.S.E. 95 grade. Amazing.
With 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is a 90 (one stamp) which was offered in our Sale 947.
10c Blue Green, Reprint (43). Without gum as issued, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1857 REPRINT. SCARCE IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
Only 516 sold. With 1993 P.F. certificate
12c Greenish Black, Reprint (44). Without gum as issued, sharp proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
Only 489 sold. With 2001 P.F. certificate
24c Blackish Violet, Reprint (45). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1857 REPRINT. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
Only 479 sold. Of these, very few have perforations clear of the design on all four sides.
With 1972, 1990 and 1997 P.F. certificates
30c Yellow Orange, Reprint (46). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
The 30c 1857 Reprint, of which 480 were sold, is one of the tightest-margined of the series.
With 1972 and 1999 P.F. certificates
90c Deep Blue, Reprint (47). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression on bright paper, significantly better-centered than most with balanced marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
Only 454 sold. With 1991 P.F. certificate
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Imperforate (40 var-47 var). The unique complete set of imperforate pairs, each with either top or bottom sheet margin, huge margins other sides except 24c barely touched at right, without gum as issued, brilliant colors and detailed impressionsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE COMPLETE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE 1857 REPRINTS. A MARVELOUS SHOWPIECE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER OF RARITY.
According to a footnote in Scott Catalogue, "Nos. 40-47 exist imperforate. Very infrequent sales preclude establishing a value at this time. One set of imperforate pairs is recorded. An imperforate horizontal strip of three of No. 44 is also recorded."
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. Each with 1989 P.F. certificate