Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — 1861-66 Issue
90c Blue, First Design, Imperforate on Semi-Transparent Stamp Paper (72-E7g, formerly 62a). Pair, unused (no gum), large margins and deep rich color, light horizontal crease
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE IMPERFORATE PAIR OF THE 1861 90-CENT FIRST DESIGN.
We have offered a number of singles in recent years but this is the first pair we have offered since 2002. With 1972 and 1982 P.F. certificates as No. 62a.
1c Blue (63). Block of 50 from the top right pane of 100, with selvage at top and right, original gum which ranges from Mint N.H. to varying degrees of gum loss in the top row and in at the right half of the second and third rows, some adherences as well, vertical creases, other typical small flaws with only Pos. 10 and 421 more serious fault
OVERALL VERY GOOD. A RARE HALF-PANE OF 50 OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE. ONE OF THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLES.
The Evans 1c book notes the existence of a complete pane of 100 from Plate 27 (ex Neinken, Siegel Sale 384). A block of 98 from Plate 9 was also known (ex Lilly, Siegel Sale 321). The book notes that the next-largest multiples are two blocks of 20. The author was unaware of the block offered here or the plate block of 35 in our sale of the Frelinghuysen collection (Sale 1209, lot 1113).
Scott value as blocks and pairs without premium for any Mint N.H. stamps is $19,000.
3c Indian Red (65 var). Exceptional margins and near mathematical perfect centering, deep rich color in a very distinct shade that P.S.E. verifies as Indian Red, Holmes Hole Mass. circular datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN AN INTENSE AND ELUSIVE SHADE — CERTIFIED BY P.S.E. AS INDIAN RED.
Power Search lists only one other No. 65 in the Indian Red shade. That stamp, ex "Natalee Grace" and Gorham, is not centered as well as this example and realized $2,100 the last time we offered it.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unlisted in this shade in SMQ). Even for the main No. 65 Rose shade, only one used stamp grades higher than this 98.
5c Buff (67). Original gum, small h.r., fresh and rich color, reperfed at right, accompanying P.F. certificate states "faint soiling" — so faint, in fact, that it does not exist
FINE APPEARING AND SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 BUFF.
The 5c Brown Yellow and Buff shades are among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major catalogue listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
With 1997 P.F. certificate.
5c Buff (67). Original gum which covers nearly the entire back but described as "part o.g." on accompanying certificate, beautiful color trending toward the Brown Yellow, small perf tip repair at lower right
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BUFF 1861 ISSUE.
The 5c Brown Yellow and Buff shades are among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major catalogue listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
Ex Curtis. With 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Mustard color which we would call Brown Yellow No. 67a but certified as Buff, large part original gum which is nearly full but called "part" on accompanying certificate, paper h.r., corner crease at bottom left and reperfed at right, otherwise Fine and acceptable space-filler for this extremely rare stamp with original gum, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott value as original gum $30,000
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Original gum, h.r., radiant color in the true Brown Yellow shade
FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN YELLOW SHADE.
The 5c Buff and its shade varieties (Brown Yellow and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c).
Ex "Laila" and from our 2017 Rarities sale. With 1972 A.P.S. and 2000 P.S.E. certificates.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Unused (regummed), radiant color in the Brown Yellow shade, reperfed at sides
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN YELLOW SHADE.
This is one of the most difficult issues to obtain in unused condition. With 2024 P.F. certificate.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Unused (no gum), vivid color, attractive centering and margins, small corner crease at top right, single short perf at upper right not mentioned on accompanying certificates, appears Very Fine, a scarce stamp in unused condition, with 1957 (clear) and 2001 P.F. certificates
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Unused, affixed to small piece, faults including pulled perf at right and broken corner crease at bottom right, otherwise Fine and presentable example of this scarce unused stamp, Scott value $14,000
5c Buff (67). Rich color, red grid cancel, nicely balanced margins but reperfed at top, pencil notations on back, appears Extremely Fine
5c Buff (67). Horizontal pair, blue "Wells, Fargo & Co's Express 21 Aug." double-circle datestamp, Fine and handsome used pair with the Wells, Fargo & Company datestamp, ex Saadi and Wall, with 1989 and 2014 P.F. certificates (as hinged on piece which has been subsequently removed)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Pretty shade, neat blue grid cancel, reperfed at left, light corner crease at bottom left, Very Fine appearance
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Unused (no gum), brilliant color, reperfed at right and small tear
FINE APPEARING AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT OLIVE YELLOW SHADE.
With 1972 P.F. certificate. Scott does not price this shade in unused condition. Scott value for the Brown Yellow shade No. 67a without gum is $32,500
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Intense Olive Yellow shade nicely contrasted by socked-on-the-nose blue "Cincinnati O. Nov. 26" double-circle datestamp, reperfed at top, Fine appearing example of this scarce shade
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Attractive color, grid cancel, repaired at top left, otherwise Very Fine, this is one of the scarcest shades of the 1861-66 Issue, with 2024 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Two multiples, block of four, unused (no gum), faults including top right stamp repaired and bottom left short perfs, otherwise Very Fine, also top selvage strip of five, disturbed original gum, Very Good, Scott value counting the block as four no-gum singles is $7,000
24c Red Lilac (70). Deep rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with well proportioned margins, large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate as No. 70c with which we agree, with 2010 P.S.E. and P.F. certificates as No. 70 (XF 90 and VF-XF 85), SCV $300
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Original gum, centered to bottom right, unpunched perf at lower right, about Fine
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Lovely color nicely complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color in the true Steel Blue shade, well-proportioned margins, small crease at left, tiny perf hole tear at bottom left not mentioned on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE AND ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen (with or without faults).
With 1992 P.S.E. certificate.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, h.r., gorgeous color, pulled perf at bottom and couple other slightly short perfs
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. the 1861 24-CENT VIOLET IS A RARE UNUSED STAMP IN ANY CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in original-gum condition.
With 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott value $27,500.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Large part original gum, beautiful color, a few lightly gum soaked perfs at left
FINE. THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET IS AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED STAMP IN ANY CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in original-gum condition.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. Scott value $27,500.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Gorgeous rich color, bold strike of blue Louisville Ky. double-circle datestamp and grid cancel, partly intact selvage at bottom and with trace of imprint at bottom right
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER, SHOWING PART IMPRINT SELVAGE AT BOTTOM RIGHT.
We have never encountered another example of this shade with imprint. Ex Hansen. With 1982 and 2009 P.F. certificates.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color nicely complemented by blue grid and circular datestamp cancel, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85)
30c Orange (71). Block of four, original gum, bright color, centered slightly to right, single pulled perf top right stamp, otherwise Very Fine and scarce block, from our 1974 Rarities sale, Scott value $17,500
30c Orange (71). Block of four, original gum, h.r., centered strongly to left, couple small toned spots not mentioned on certificate, otherwise Very Good, with clear 2008 A.P.S. certificate, Scott value $17,500
30c Orange (71). Horizontal pair, original gum, h.r., fresh color, left stamp with short perf at bottom, otherwise Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Block of four, original gum, multiple h.r., strong color, centered to top left
FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Fewer than ten original-gum blocks of four are recorded. Most tend to be centered to left.
90c Blue (72). Unusually choice centering, unobtrusive cancels including trace of red transit at lower left, Extremely Fine, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
90c Blue (72). Block of four, grid cancels, bottom right stamp couple short perfs, some hinge-reinforced perf separations, still Fine and scarce used block
90c Blue (72). Vertical pair and two singles rejoined to form an original block of four, segmented cork cancels, about Fine, Scott value as the component parts
2c Black (73). Horizontal block of eight with right part imprint selvage, original gum which has been sweated or redistributed, Fine and attractive part imprint block, Scott value as two blocks of four
2c Black (73). Block of four, original gum, h.r., fresh and Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Block of four with bottom selvage, original gum, bottom pair lightly hinged, well-centered, some light toning in perfs in a few places, appears Very Fine
2c Black (73). Irregular block of ten, double-circle datestamp cancels and some manuscript as well at center, some adherences on back from an old document, few thin specks and one with light corner crease, overall Fine appearance and better condition than often seen with large used multiples, rare in this size as well (the largest recorded used multiple is a block of 12), Scott value $6,650 as two blocks of four and a pair
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, intense color, small thins and few short perfs, otherwise Very Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate, Scott value $6,000
5c Red Brown (75). Part original gum which covers approximately half the back, diagonal crease, appears Fine, Scott value as original gum, $6,000, as no gum $2,250
5c Dark Red Brown (75). Disturbed original gum, dark shade, small faults including deep thin spot, otherwise Fine, Scott value $6,000
5c Dark Red Brown (75). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, blue backstamp shows thru, Scott value $2,250
5c Dark Red Brown (75). lovely warm color, neat circle of wedges and red cancels, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
15c Black (77). Original gum, h.r., reperfed at right, appears Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate, Scott value $8,500
15c Black (77). Unused (traces of gum), attractive centering, Very Fine, Scott value as no gum
15c Black (77). Crisp impression, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2025 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only four grade higher and seven others share this desirable grade
24c Gray (78b). Block of four, original gum, h.r., centered to top right, heavy horizontal creases ended in couple tiny tears, otherwise Fine, scarce original gum-block, Scott value as No. 78 block $18,000
24c Gray (78b). Deep rich color, choice centering, target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2024 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Intense shade in the true Blackish Violet color, bold strike of cork cancel, two thins, reperfed at left
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET, A SHADE VARIETY THAT IS MISSING IN MOST ADVANCED CLASSIC UNITED STATES COLLECTIONS.
Our census of Scott 78c, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/78c, records three unused stamps, 50 used off-cover and ten used on nine covers (one cover bears a pair), for a total of 63 stamps. Of the used off-cover examples only 14 are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 78c-CAN-43. With 2010 P.F. certificate.