Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1861-66 Issue (Scott 102-110)
1c Blue, Re-Issue (102). Original gum, wonderful depth of color, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
3c Brown Red, Re-Issue (104). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.
The 3c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate, which contained 200 subjects in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 465 of the 3c were sold; the remaining 9,535 were destroyed on July 16, 1884. The 3c is one of the three most difficult stamps in the set to obtain in choice original-gum condition (the others are the 24c and 30c). It is rarely found well-centered, and those in Very Fine or Extremely Fine grade usually have either disturbed gum or no gum at all.
Ex Hoffman. With 1985 and 2008 P.F. certificates
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.
The 5c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. The Re-Issue plate can be identified by a notch at bottom. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 672 of the 5c were sold; the remaining 9,328 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
With 1984 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $6,500.00)
12c Black, Re-Issue (107). Original gum, intense shade on bright paper, extra wide marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.
The 12c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 389 of the 12c were sold; the remaining 9,611 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Ex Kantor. With 1964 and 2020 P.F. certificates
24c Deep Violet, Re-Issue (109). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.
The 24c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 346 of the 24c were sold; the remaining 9,654 were destroyed on July 16, 1884. The quantity sold for the 24c (346) is close in number to several lower values, including the 12c and 15c (389 and 397, respectively). However, the 24c is scarcer and appears less frequently at auction. It is also one of the three values most difficult to obtain in choice original-gum condition (the others are the 3c and 30c).
Ex Morton. With 1967, 1998 and 2020 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $12,600.00). This is a very conservative grade in our opinion. Viewed in relation to P.S.E.'s grading guide, we feel this is deserving of a 95. In any case, only three stamps grade higher than this 90 (all at 95)
30c Brownish Orange, Re-Issue (110). Original gum, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Little space was left on the 30c 1861 plate for vertical rows of perforations between stamps, and the same plate was used for the 1875 Re-Issue. Therefore, well-centered copies with perforations clear at the sides are rare. Only 346 were sold. The remaining 9,654 were destroyed on July 16, 1884. Our Levi records contain 146 unused singles, an unused pair and an unused block of four. Many have perforations either touching or in on at least one side. Few of the sound copies retain all or part of their original gum.
Ex Whitman, "Hampshire" and Morton. With 1983, 1997, 2009 and 2020 P.F. certificates