Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 62B-78)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Wide balanced margins all around, virtually perfect centering, dark rich color and proof-like early impression on bright paper, cancelled by rim of vivid red New York foreign-mail circular datestamp clear of portraitEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS, IN OUR OPINION, THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 10-CENT FIRST DESIGN EXTANT.
The 10c 1861 First Design (or Type I) was printed from Plate 4, which left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B (or 58) are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides. The stamp offered here is the rare exception, and it is even more remarkable as a used copy, free of faults, clearly cancelled in red (and face-free). As a measure of the 10c First Design's rarity in used high grades, the latest P.S.E. Population Report lists three used examples graded XF 90, this and one other graded XF-Superb 95, and none higher than 95.
With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it -- the stamp cancelled with black "Paid" that was offered in our recent Natalee Grace sale.
1c Blue (63). Brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, neat strike of Philadelphia circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $575.00 as 95, $1,700.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98) and only one other shares this desirable grade, this statistic is the same as when we last offered this stamp in March 2008.
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color in the true Pink shade, choice centering, bold strike of "Washington D.C. Oct. 24, 1861" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,000.00). Only two have graded higher and five others share this grade.
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color on bright paper, nicely complemented by blue target cancel, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00), only one has graded higher
5c Buff (67). Intense shade and impression in the true Buff shade, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Due to narrow spacing on the 5c plate, it is very difficult to find centered copies with the perforations clear of the design on all sides. The stamp offered here, with its choice centering, fresh color and attractive cancel is a condition rarity.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it. Considering the standard narrow margin width of the 5c 1861, we would assign the Jumbo appellation to this stamp.
10c Yellow Green (68). Uncommonly wide Jumbo margins and practically perfect centering, lovely color and bold circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this issue, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00 as 95, $2,750.00 as 98), only three have graded higher and two others share this grade
12c Black (69). Choice centering with Jumbo margins all around, crisp impression, cancelled by target and also circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Although the 12c 1861 plate provided ample space between the subjects, the 12-gauge perforation holes use up much of that space, and the lines of perforations were rarely applied in a way that created four balanced margins around the design. This stamp is a one-in-a-million example of perforating outside the normal boundary line on all four sides.
Ex Senchuk. With 1980 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,750.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Perfectly centered with immense margins, light blue grid cancel, deep shade and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC FEATURING HUGE EVEN MARGINS, FRESH COLOR, SHARP IMPRESSION AND COLORED CANCEL. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
Ex Tahoe. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,000.00 as 95, $7,400.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (Superb 98, offered in our Kirke sale), and this is the only example to achieve a P.S.E. 95J grade.
30c Orange (71). Rich color and detailed impression, Jumbo margins, bold strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued; the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes "coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition". Scott Catalogue also acknowledges the difficulty of obtaining this issue in better condition, stating "Values for No. 71 are for examples with small margins, especially at sides. Large-margined examples sell for much more".
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,000.00 as 95, $5,550.00 as 98). Only three have graded higher and none share this lofty grade.
90c Blue (72). Radiant color and crisp impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $14,000.00). Only one has graded higher and two others share this desirable grade.
2c Black (73). Bright shade and detailed impression, beautiful centering with balanced margins, neat cancel, retaining most of its original gum, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $700.00), only four have graded higher (the highest at 98)
2c Black (73). Cancelled by open grid, partly clear "Laconia N.H. Feb. 9" circular datestamp on gray and black overall lithographed Fire Insurance Company advertising cover with illustration of the Great Fire of Laconia N.H. in 1860, unsealed for circular rate, to Bristol N.H., a marvelous depiction of firemen battling flames from a burning building, stamp has tiny pinpoint surface scrape, still Extremely Fine, this depiction of firemen in action is very rare for the period and especially desirable with a 2c Black Jack, the Great Fire of Laconia burned down Main Street, with 2008 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Bold strike of "D" duplex cancel, brilliant color, reperfed at left, short perf at top leftFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET CANCELLED BY A BARRED OVAL DUPLEX CANCELLATION.
As documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. A small number were also used by J. W. Scott, who posted letters with some of his supply to validate his claim that these stamps were legitimate postage. Today, there are perhaps five copies cancelled in this manner. We offered one in 2001 (Twigg-Smith collection), and another in our recent sale of the Natalee Grace collection.
Ex Wagshal. With 1968 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates. Unpriced with this handstamped cancel (Scott Retail $5,500.00 with pen lines)
5c Red Brown (75). Fiery shade, intense color on bright paper, neat grid cancel and also trace of red cancel at lower left, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, Brookman notes "I consider the used Red Brown to be more scarce than Buff but the Buff is more scarce unused [sic]", with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00), only four have graded higher (the highest is a 95)
5c Brown (76). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-proportioned margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,425.00), only one has graded higher (at 95J and offered in our recent Natalee Grace sale)
15c Black (77). Intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually wide and balanced margins for this difficult issue, neat strike of 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 HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
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.
With 2010 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and one of only two to achieve this grade.
24c Lilac (78). Rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, neat strike of target cancel and part of red cancel at lower left, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT LILAC, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $7,150.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J and offered in our Kirke sale) and one other shares this grade.