Sale 1247 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 December, 2021
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-67a)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2014 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Deep rich color, outstanding centering with balanced margins, grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN.
The 10c is the only denomination of the 1861-66 Issue that was actually issued in two types. Type I, Scott 62B, was printed from Plate 4. Type II stamps -- Scott 68 and its grilled counterparts -- were printed from Plates 15 and 26. It has been surmised that Type I was pressed into service to help fill strong demand for 10c stamps after demonetization of the earlier issue. The 10c stamps paid the transcontinental rate, the ship-letter rate and certain rates to foreign countries. The Plate 4 Type I stamps left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides.
With 1997, 2003 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Attractive centering and margins, wonderful dark shade and intense impression of the First Design printing, which provides the backdrop for a vivid red "New York Paid Sep. 24" circular datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT GREEN FIRST DESIGN WITH A VIVID RED CANCEL.
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. The stamp offered here, in a deep shade and with a vivid red cancel has very similar eye appeal to the 62B offered in our sale of the Morton collection -- which has the same cancel dated the following month.
With 2018 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Deep rich color nicely complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1989 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (63a). Original gum, lightly hinged, with left selvage, bright color, Fine, in his 1c book, Don Evans devotes almost an entire column (p. 33) to a discussion of the Ultramarine shade, he notes that 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
1c Dark Blue (63b). Deep color in this distinctive shade, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense shade and impression, well-struck grid cancel, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate
1c Blue, Horizontally Laid Paper (63c). Very clear horizontal laid lines, bright color, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancel, Fine and rare, Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, he notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation and also that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid -- he was aware of only two but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce, they are also usually seen with faults, ex "Natalee Grace", with 2005 P.F. certificate.
3c Pink (64). Mint N.H., outstanding centering and margins, radiant color with the desirable bluish cast sometimes seen in this shade and more often seen in the famous Pigeon Blood Pink shadeEXTREMELY FINE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK.
The 1861 3c Pink, Scott 64, is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. As difficult as that is, finding one in Mint N.H. condition is another matter entirely. This example is not only Mint N.H., it is sound and well-centered. This is a true condition rarity of the 1861 Issue.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (NH, XF 90). Scott value as hinged.
3c Pink (64). Rich color with a hint of oxidation, well-proportioned margins, circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Radiant color in the true Pink shade, face-free strike of segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Brilliant color, "New-York Nov. ?" double-circle datestamp cancel, Very Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $750.00)
3c Pink (64). Bright color, light strike of grid cancel, fresh and Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (F 70)
3c Rose Pink, Rose (64b, 65). Each with a different-style strike of Fort Scott Kansas datestamp, No. 64b with double-circle datestamp struck in blue, vivid color, No. 65 with circular datestamp struck in black, Very Fine strikes on Fine stamps
3c Brown Red (65 var). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, Fine example of this sub-shade, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
3c Lake, Imperforate (66a). Part original gum, small h.r., large even margins, rich color, small gum soak at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value for pair $1,850.00
3c Lake (66). Original gum, barely hinged, bright shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 LAKE TRIAL COLOR.
A review using Power Search reveals how difficult the 3c Lake is to find with full original gum and choice centering. Most examples have perfs touching or in on at least one side. We have offered fewer than ten examples that compare favorably to this stamp in the last 25 years.
Ex Gorham. With 1996 P.F. certificate.
5c Buff (67). Pretty pastel shade, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1982 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Deep rich color, well-centered, San Francisco cogwheel cancel, fresh and Very Fine, ex Roush, with 1997 P.S.E. (as 67a, in error) and 2002 P.F. certificates
5c Buff (67). Rich color, neat strikes of red grid cancel, Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Wide margins and well-centered, lovely warm color contrasted by bold blue "Cincinnati O. Jan. 18" double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2011 and 2013 P.F. certificates as No. 67 Buff (VF-XF 85), we have described the brighter yellowish shades as 67a and the darker brownish shades as 67, regardless of certification, and lots may not be returned because of a difference of opinion as to shade
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Beautiful bright color, bold strike of open grid cancel and also with part of red cancel at bottom left and also at right, Very Fine and choice, ex Hansen, with 1996 P.F. certificate as Buff shade
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Attractive centering and margins, rich color, clear strike of "New-York Feb. 4" double-circle datestamp, we detect a possible minute pinpoint thin spot but it is not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Extremely Fine, with clear 1988 P.F. certificate