Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-39)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, almost perfectly centered with wide margins at sides and clearly showing the characteristics of the typeEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Beautifully centered, bright Plate 12 color with typical mottling, neat New York circular datestamp, couple slightly nibbed perfs at right (not mentioned on certificate), otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 2, exceptionally well-centered with deep rich color, cancelled by rim of blue circular datestamp, slightly rounded top right corner, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $510.00)
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice centering, intense color and impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, light strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on some portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $16,500.00). None have graded higher to date (nine 95's in total).
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 69L4, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, face-free cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TYPE.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on some portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.
With 2000 P.F. and 1990 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,950.00)
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice margins and attractively centered, rich color with neat New York "U.S. Mail City Delivery" carrier datestamp, trivial corner crease top left, otherwise Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, attractive color with bold circular datestamp, few nibbed perfs (not mentioned on certificate), otherwise Very Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Strong Plate 4 color, almost Indigo shade, partial circular datestamp, two unpunched perfs at top left, Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 4, 6th Row, F Relief, original gum, barest trace of hinging, wonderfully fresh and bright, few trivial nibbed perfs (not mentioned on certificate), otherwise Fine, remarkably fresh and bright, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11 or 12, rich color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins all around, full clear strike of "Paid/New-York P.O./Station C/1 Apr. 3" circular datestamp with integral 1c rateEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE IIIa HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
With 1988 and 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,800.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 95J) and only seven others share this grade.
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, exceptionally well-centered for this tightly-spaced issue, excellent color and impression, light circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, beautiful deep rich color, part strike of "Paid" cancel, Fine
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Original gum, handsomely centered, deep rich color, clear impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $250.00)
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Exceptionally well-centered, pleasing color and neat blue circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $330.00)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Mint N.H., double frameline at right, essentially perfectly centered, wonderfully fresh and bright, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $570.00 as normal variety), Scott Retail as hinged
5c Red Brown (28). Nicely centered with beautiful color, bold circular datestamp at bottom of stamp leaving virtually all of the design distraction free including the central vignette, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (28). Uncharacteristically well-centered with beautiful rich color, grid cancel, two or three perf holes deepened at left center, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Indian Red (28A). Gorgeous warm color in the unmistakable true Indian Red color and towards the deeper end of the color spectrum, choice centering with outer projections clear of perfs on all sides, neat strike of New Orleans 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 (XF 90; SMQ $9,600.00)
5c Indian Red (28A). Choice strong color, red circular datestamp, barely in left and bottom, still a fairly attractive and affordable example of this scarce 5c 1857 shade, with 1982 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (29). Essentially perfectly centered with beautiful color and impression, neat Philadelphia octagonal datestamp, Extremely Fine, lovely used example, with 2001 P.F. certificate and 1992 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,150.00)
5c Brown (29). Nicely centered with perfs essentially clear of design all around, beautiful rich color, neat New Orleans double-circle datestamp, Very Fine, with 1976 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $440.00)
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, Very Fine, with 1975 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, face-free red grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1983 and 1998 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, strong Orange Brown shade nicely accentuated by red grid and matching circular datestamp, fresh and bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN. A SCARCE ISSSUE IN USED CONDITION AND RARELY SEEN IN THIS QUALITY WITH A COLORED CANCEL.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Rich color and attractive margins, neat red grid cancel, Fine, scarce in sound used condition, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Exceptionally well centered with wide side margins, rich color, bold red grid cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $890.00)
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Unusually well centered with wide side margins, deep rich "Chocolate" shade complemented by a neat red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $540.00)
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Brilliant color and crisp impression on fresh paper, neat strike of San Francisco circular datestamp, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as soundness are taken into consideration.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and only four others share this grade.
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Gorgeous color, with part of selvage at left, neat strike of circular datestamp, beautiful centering with wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE III, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES THIS GRADE.
The first perforated 10c stamps produced by Toppan Carpenter from sheets printed from Plate 1 are notorious among collectors for their poor centering.
With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,800.00 as 95, $10,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 76L1, recut at bottom, essentially perfect centering, lovely rich color with a light circular datestamp, clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 10-CENT TYPE IV WITH WIDE BALANCED MARGINS AND A LIGHT TOWN CANCEL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $16,100.00). According to the P.S.E. Population Report, this is one of only three used examples to have achieved this grade, the highest awarded to date.
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and strong color, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. V, 10c Green, Ty. V (24, 35). Four of each with captured imprints, assembled to show full imprint, 1c from right pane, 10c from left, minor faults but a very scarce group
12c Black (36). Wonderfully well-centered for this tightly-spaced 1857 Issue value, clear impression with neat red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, truly exceptional, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Original gum, lightly hinged, Jumbo side margins and exceptionally well-centered, classic intense "muddy" Black shade which is characteristic of the Plate 3 printing, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $1,450.00 as 85, $2,250.00 as 90)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Original gum, applied a little thicker at top causing a slightly darker gum area, attractively centered, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Exceptionally well-centered with nearly perfectly balanced margins, lovely color with clear impression, light face-free grid cancel in bottom left cornerEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE. ONE OF THE FEW TO ACHIEVE A P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00)
30c Orange (38). Original gum, vibrant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WITH FRESH VIBRANT COLOR. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH THE PERFORATIONS LEAVING WIDE AND BALANCED MARGINS. THIS WONDERFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,800.00). None have graded higher and only four others share this grade.
30c Orange (38). Vibrant color, exceptional centering for this difficult issue, face-free cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95J BY P.S.E., THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.
The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 30c and 90c 1860 were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95J; SMQ $5,200.00 as 95, $14,600.00 as 98). The only example to achieve this grade
30c Orange (38). Original gum, wonderful color and attractively centered, single nibbed perf at top, otherwise Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (38). Essentially flawless centering, deep rich color complemented by an attractively struck red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. and 2008 P.F. certificates, the former specifically stating that the cancel is magenta, which we think it is
90c Blue (39). Original gum, exceptionally well-centered, fresh, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (39). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE
With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $5,400.00) and ungraded 2007 P.S.E. certificate