Sale 929 — The Alan Geisler Collection of U.S. and Possessions Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 26 February, 2007
Category — 1861-66 Issue
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, deep rich color with slight trace of oxidation not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate for block of four
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Intense shade and impression, bold strike of circular datestamp leaves characteristics of the design clearly visible, fresh and Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (63). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered with wide margins on bright white paper, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 2001 P.F. certificate for block of four, this being the top right stamp
1c Blue (63). Wide straddle-pane margin at left, bright color beautifully complemented by red "New-York City Paid 1 ct. Nov. 7" integral-rate circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, wonderful position copy, with 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Original gum, very lightly hinged, perfectly centered, beautiful bright shade with strong Pink hueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 3-CENT 1861 PINK IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Examples of the 1861 3c Pink with original gum are almost invariably creased and/or toned. This stamp is a rare exception, and its centering and color place it among the finest of the original-gum copies extant.
With 2003 P.F. certificate. Also accompanied by copy of 1956 note from Stanley Ashbrook who notes "I believe that we seldom find an unused copy in as fine a tint as this stamp"
3c Rose Pink (64b). Unused (no gum), choice centering with selvage at top, brilliant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1975 and 2004 P.F. certificates
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, choice centering, small sealed tear at left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1984 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Unused (regummed), bright color, small corner creaseFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Wide straddle-pane margin at right, rich color, neat strike of San Francisco cogwheel cancel, Very Fine
10c Yellow Green (68). Large part original gum with h.r. (described on accompanying certificate as original gum), intense color, trivial natural inclusion at left center mentioned only for complete accuracy and not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Wide straddle-pane margin at left showing significant portion of adjoining stamp, choice centering other sides, light circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine
12c Black (69). Unused (no gum), intense shade, fresh and Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Unused (no gum), bright color and detailed impression, some slight toning on back and expertly reperfed at left (neither mentioned on accompanying certificate), Extremely Fine appearance, with 1983 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Wide straddle-pane margin at left with centerline, deep rich color, magenta pen cancel, Very Fine and choice
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Distinctive Deep Brown Lilac shade -- seen among used examples but very rarely seen with original gum -- the gum is full and has characteristic brownish toning, bright white paper and unusually well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE FOR A 24-CENT 1861 SHADE. RARELY ENCOUNTERED WITH ORIGINAL GUM. A MUST-HAVE STAMP FOR THE COLLECTOR ASSEMBLING A RANGE OF THE 1861 COLORS.
As noted in several of the descriptions of original-gum 1861's in our past sales, these stamps are available in unused no-gum condition or low grades of original-gum condition; however, the combination of original gum and choice centering is so rare that Scott values can be very misleading. In the case of this 24c, the unusually-deep Brown Lilac shade adds another dimension of rarity -- perhaps comparable to the difference between a 5c Red Brown (75) and 5c Brown (76).
With 1998 P.S.E. and 1999 P.F. certificates (both state "previously hinged")
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, small gum covered thin spot at top leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet. All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. The stamp offered here is remarkable in that the Violet ink retains much of its purplish hue, especially in the darker engraved areas, which is most unusual among unused or original-gum examples.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color which is unusually fresh, Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate for pair
90c Blue (72). Unused (no gum), almost perfectly centered, rich color on bright paper, two tiny thin spots not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Original gum, vibrant color and detailed impressionFRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
With copy of 1960 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Unused (regummed), warm color, expertly repaired with bottom margin added, otherwise Very Fine
5c Dark Brown (76a). Unused (no gum), intense color and impression, light horizontal crease, reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Wide straddle-pane margin at left with guide marker at top, huge margins other sides, bold strike of cork cancel, Very Fine and choice
15c Black (77). Original gum, single hinge mark, detailed impression, wide margins for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1866 ISSUE. SCARCE IN SOUND AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1983 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac (78). Original gum, bright and fresh color on crisp paper, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT LILAC SHADE.
With copy of 1984 P.F. certificate for block of four
24c Dark Lilac (78 var). Enormous straddle-pane margin at right with centerline and portion of adjoining stamp, intense color, bold strike of Rosette cancel of Alexandria Va., Extremely Fine, a magnificent stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate