Sale 946 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 12 November, 2007
Category — 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-39)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, bright color, bold strike of blue grid cancel, scissors-separated perfs at left which are intact and not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, radiant color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp, fresh and Fine
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, natural s.e. at left, rich color, light target cancel, centered just in at top allowing full plumes to show at bottom, tiny corner perf crease at bottom left, Very Fine appearance, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, original gum, single hinge mark, intense shade typical of Plate 12 printings, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II.
With 2002 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 11 or 12, original gum, bright color, faint corner creases at left, Very Fine appearance
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 2, well-centered, intense color and almost face-free cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 11 or 12, attractive margins and color, light red grid cancel, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Essentially perfectly centered, deep rich Plate 4 color, small part of a light circular datestamp leaving the vignette almost cancel free, tiny corner perf crease at bottom left is barely noticeable, still Extremely Fine with 1997 P.S.E. and 2007 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the tiny perf crease
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Rich Plate 4 color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp, choice centering for this difficult issue, Very Fine
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp, short perfs at upper right corner, otherwise Very Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11 or 12, original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with wide margins and showing wide break at top, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PERFORATE TYPE IIIA.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIA (22). Positions 61/71L4, vertical pair with part imprint at top left, disturbed original gum, deep rich color, top stamp small thin spot, few small toned spots, faint diagonal creaseFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED PAIR OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE SELVAGE AND PART IMPRINT.
The Neinken book states that the top position is Type III and is not a transitional position. It has a small but clear break at bottom, and a wide break at top, and should technically be classified as Type III (Scott No. 21), but the expertizers disagree.
With 1980 and 2007 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11 or 12, original gum, bright color, fresh and Fine, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11 or 12, unused (no gum), brilliant color, fresh and Fine
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, unused (regummed), recut once at top and once at bottom, deep rich color on bright paper, sealed tear at top, two tiny tears at bottom, otherwise Very Fine, scarce in unused condition, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, recut once at top and once at bottom, part original gum, rich color, intact perfs at top, short perf and tiny scuff at bottom left, otherwise Very Good, scarce in unused condition
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, recut once at top and once at bottom, radiant color, choice centering for this difficult issue, unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Original gum, barest trace of what may be hinging, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1983 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Ty. II (25A). With recut inner lines, original gum, h.r., bright color and exceptionally choice centering, tiny corner perf crease at top right, Very Fine appearance, with 2007 P.F. certificate as No. 25 prior to 2008 Scott reclassification
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Without recut inner lines, unused (no gum), brilliant color, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate as No. 25 prior to 2008 Scott reclassification
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Without recut inner lines, deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centered, neat strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 3-CENT ROSE TYPE I WITHOUT RECUT INNER LINES.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00) as No. 25 before 2008 Scott reclassification. Remarkably, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only one XF-Superb 95 and one Superb 98 for the 3c Type I perforated.
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Original gum, incredibly well-centered, good color, barest trace of hinging, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $340.00)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Exceptionally wide margins clear of the design all around, rich color and neat circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $270.00 for 95, $630.00 for 98)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Position 87R15 with double transfer, unusually choice centering, rich color, neat 1858 circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Brick Red (27). Brilliant color, well-balanced margins, face-free cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brick Red (27). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, neat strike of "New Orleans La. Apr. 30, 1859" circular datestamp, fresh and Fine, an attractive stamp, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (28). Brilliant color on bright paper, in our opinion this is an Indian Red (although certified once as Bright Red Brown and most recently as Red Brown), neat strikes of New Orleans circular datestamp, almost perfectly centered with wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE I PERFORATED ISSUE.
With 1986 P.F. certificate as Scott No. 28b and 2007 P.F. certificate as Scott No. 28 (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,200.00). This is not even remotely close to the standard Red Brown shades.
5c Red Brown (28). Marvelous rich color in the 1858 Red Brown shade, lightly cancelled, exceptionally fresh and attractive, Very Fine, with 1987 and 2007 P.F. certificates
5c Indian Red (28A). Full original gum, beautiful color in the true Indian Red shade, detailed impression clearly showing the lathework background, light horizontal crease is not readily apparentFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED SHADE. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST ORIGINAL-GUM STAMPS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY -- ONLY FOUR INDIAN RED STAMPS WITH ANY AMOUNT OF GUM ARE CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS.
Our search of old auction catalogues and the records of the Philatelic Foundation yielded only ten unused examples of Scott 28A. Of these, only four have been described as having any gum whatsoever. These are: 1) Offered in the C. A. Brown Collection by Harmer, Rooke & Co. in 1941 where described as "full original gum"; it was offered in the 1968 Rarities sale and again as part of the A. T. Seymour Collection (Siegel Sale 373, Apr. 23, 1970, lot 35) where described as "large part original gum" and in our Sale 895 (lot 102, realized $75,000 hammer); 2) the "Ambassador" copy (Siegel Sale 300, Apr. 27, 1966, lot 45A), described as part original gum, also ex Argentum (Siegel Sale 807, Feb. 23, 1999, lot 76) where described as "unused (traces of gum)"; 3) the Caspary/Lilly copy, described in both catalogues as full original gum and with light horizontal crease (the example offered here); and 4) the example offered in our sale of the Alan Geisler Collection, where described as part original gum, a light diagonal crease and two small corner creases at top right (Siegel Sale 929, lot 47, realized $110,000 hammer).
Ex Caspary and Lilly. With 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Indian Red (28A). Choice centering with perforations well clear of projections on three sides and barely touching at bottom, radiant color, unobtrusive circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate.
5c Indian Red (28A). Brilliant color in the true Indian Red shade, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestamp, centered to right, Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
5c Indian Red (28A). Attractively centered, rich true Indian Red color, light circular datestamp, small scuff at top right, otherwise Very Fine
5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bright and distinctive shade, bold New Orleans circular datestampsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 ISSUE IN THE BRIGHT RED BROWN SHADE.
With 1985 and 2006 P.F. certificates, the former as a pair
5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Attractively centered with perfs clear all around, rich color, light circular datestamp, minor bend and couple pulled perfs, otherwise Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (29). Unusually choice centering with wide margins, bright shade and crisp impression, bold strike of New Orleans circular datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1979 and 2000 P.F. certificates
5c Brown (29). Deep shade on fresh white paper, precise centering, circular datestamps, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate for pair, this being the left stamp
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered and with deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. THE 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN 1861 SHADE IS RARELY FOUND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,800.00)
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, nicely centered, wonderfully fresh with deep rich color, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, bit heavy paper h.r., pretty shade, two trivial nibbed perfs at top left, otherwise Fine
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Wide margins, pretty shade, neat red grid cancel, a few trivial nibbed perfs, otherwise Very Fine and choice, with 1986 and 2002 P.F. certificates
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). With right part imprint selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, exceptionally well-centered and wonderful deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE II BROWN 1860 SHADE IN REMARKABLY FRESH CONDITION WITH A PERT-IMPRINT SHEET MARGIN.
Unlike its Orange Brown counterpart, the 5c Type II in Brown was not on hand in post offices when the 1861 demonetization order took effect. Therefore, original-gum examples of Scott 30A are far scarcer than Scott 30. The narrow spacing between subjects on the plate, as well as Toppan Carpenter's imprecise perforating, leaves collectors with very few well-centered original-gum examples.
With photocopy of 1997 P.F. certificate for right imprint and plate no. strip of three (bottom stamp)
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, uncommonly fresh with beautiful color, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Original gum, rich color, small thin spot, few perf flaws at left, otherwise Fine
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Unusually wide margins for this issue, bright color nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Attractive centering and excellent margins clear of the design all around, extra wide at sides, rich color, neat unframed grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1960 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $510.00)
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Bright color, light cancel leaves design clearly visible, few perf flaws, otherwise Very Fine
10c Green, Ty. II (32). Incredibly well-centered with wide margins clear of design on all four sides, rich color, light circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a remarkable stamp which in our opinion should qualify for the grade of 98, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00), this example and only three others share this grade, none are graded higher
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Beautifully balanced margins clear of the design all around and essentially perfectly centered, unobtrusive face-free circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1988 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00)
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Very attractive wide margins and beautiful centering, neat circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Fabulous margins and centering, wonderful deep rich color, black and red circular datestamps, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $480.00)
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 65L1, recut at top, deep rich color, lightly cancelled, Fine
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 3R1, recut at top, uncharacteristically wide margins, excellent color and with a light circular datestamp, reperfed at top, Very Fine appearance, with 1985 and 2007 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the reperfing
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, bright color, neat strike of circular datestamp, light diagonal creases, appears Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Mint N.H. with top selvage (light hinge mark in selvage only), wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Horizontal pair, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, pretty pastel color, bold strikes of red grid cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent pair, ex Ishikawa and "J & J", with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
12c Black (36). Horizontal pair, Positions 89-90R1, attractively centered, light circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 3 (36b). Original gum, small h.r., intense shade and impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, tiny thin speck from hinge removal not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance, with 1985 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 3 (36b). Essentially perfectly centered with margins clear of the design on all sides, black town circular datestamp and trace of a red one also, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,650.00), one of six used copies of No. 36b graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E. (none graded higher)
12c Black, Plate 3 (36b). Bright shade, light strike of red grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $390.00)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp color and impression, attractively centered, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
24c Gray (37a). Bright color in the true Gray sub-shade, nicely complemented by red grid cancel, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Floyd, with 1993 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Faintly cancelled, bright shade, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice
24c Lilac, Imperforate (37c). Without gum as issued, large even margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1986 and 2003 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, perfectly centered, radiant color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1857 ISSUE.
Although some sheets of the 24c, 30c and 90c 1857-60 Issue were left in the public's hands after the Civil War demonetization took effect, original-gum examples of the 30c in Extremely Fine grade are extremely rare, owing to the narrow space between subjects on the plate and the difficulty experienced by Toppan, Carpenter with the first perforated issue. This stamp is extraordinary in three respects: first, it is perfectly centered with the design framed by white margin on all sides; second, it is lightly hinged; and, third, the color is brilliant and free of any oxidation that frequently plagues this issue.
With 1985 and 1995 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, wide margins at sides and beautifully centeredEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
Ex Vineyard. With 1986 and 2002 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Large part original gum, unusually choice centering with wide margins, faint trace of oxidation, thin spot from hinge removal, appears Extremely Fine
30c Orange (38). Radiant color except slight trace of oxidation at top (not mentioned or present on accompanying certificate), bold strike of grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (39). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice margins and very attractively centered, intense colorVERY FINE. A HANDSOME ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 90-CENT ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
90c Blue (39). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, extra wide and well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1973 and 1992 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (39). Unused (no gum), well-centered and lovely color, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
90c Blue (39). Unused (no gum), rich color, choice centering, light corner crease at top right, tiny thin speck, appears Very Fine, small red backstamp