Sale 904 — Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Saturday, 10 December, 2005
Category — 1861-66 Issue
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., intense shade on brilliant paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Unused (no gum), clear horizontal laid lines, brilliant colorFRESH AND FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON LAID PAPER. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue lists but does not price this stamp as unused. Scott Retail as used is $4,000.00.
3c Pink (64). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color in the true Pink shadeEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK.
The 3c 1861 Pink (Scott 64) is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition with fresh color. The nature of the ink used to print the 3c Pink shade is such that over the course of time, with exposure to light and other adverse elements, the color tends to oxidize or lose its vibrancy.
Collectors who have searched in vain for a 3c Pink in such condition will appreciate the rarity of this stamp in such a remarkable state of preservation. Others who may be less familiar with the rarity of this early 1861 Issue -- and perhaps deceived by the abundance of common 3c 1861 shades (Scott 65) -- are urged to consider the extreme rarity of Scott 64 in sound original-gum condition. In several recent auctions, we have offered well-centered original-gum examples of the 1861-66 Issue, and the record realizations at large multiples of Scott value demonstrate the rarity of these stamps.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Well-balanced margins, radiant color in the true Rose Pink shade, neat strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 -- deserves a 95 in our opinion), Scott Retail as hinged
3c Rose (65). Original gum, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT LAKE TRIAL PRINTING.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Original gum, deep rich color approaching that usually found on the First Design, wide marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, "TAG" Variety (68 var). Original gum, radiant color showing the clear doubling in "TAG", wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF TH 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE WITH THE "TAG" VARIETY.
According to Brookman, this variety was caused by the use of a defective transfer roll on which some bits of metal had become lodged.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as normal
10c Yellow Green (68). Deep rich color nicely contrasted by red grid cancel, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
12c Black (69). Crisp impression and bright shade, cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Pretty pastel shade, well-balanced margins, light strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2000 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color and detailed impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN LILAC COLOR.
Like the 12c 1861 Issue, the 24c is usually available in unused no-gum condition or low grades of original-gum condition. However, the rare combination of full original gum and choice centering cause Scott values to become irrelevant.
With 2001 P.F. certificate for pair
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Uncharacteristically wide margins well clear of design all around, essentially perfectly centered, fresh color, bold Triangular Grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, truly remarkable
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Unused, described by the P.F. as regummed, but appears to be disturbed original gum, rich color and detailed impression, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
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 70c).
With 2003 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as no gum
30c Orange (71). Remarkably choice centering, vibrant color, neat strike of red New York grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Mint N.H., crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1978 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (inexplicably graded VF 80; in our opinion, at least an 85), Scott Retail as hinged
2c Black (73). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Intense shade, light cancel leaves design clearly visible, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
5c Brown (76). Brilliant color on bright paper, nicely contrasted by strike of red Star in Circle fancy cancel, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)