Sale 1033 — The Cloudrest Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 25 October, 2012
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Special Printings (Scott 167-177)
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and plate no. "127" in selvage at bottom, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contain 44 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around, including the example offered here and one with part imprint selvage.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman. With 1996 P.F. certificate.
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, with plate no. "(1)61" in selvage at top, natural s.e. with part guide arrow at right, full perforations on other sides, single short perf at bottom leftVERY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE TOP POSITION PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 168 contain only 56 copies certified as genuine. A plate number single is also known from the bottom position (ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman).
With 1957 P.F. certificate
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 1" of imprint in selvage at bottom, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING SHOWING ANY PORTION OF THE PLATE NUMBER. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
Our recently updated records for Scott 169 contain 35 examples that have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation (including one on cover). Only a dozen have perforations intact on all sides, including three others originally in a strip with this stamp. Our photo records show that the Earl of Crawford strip from which this originated had a part imprint on the left two stamps (one ex Whitman), the third stamp without imprint, and the righthand stamp offered here with "No. 1".
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman. With 1996 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 18" of imprint in selvage at top, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE ONLY RECORDED TOP SHEET SELVAGE EXAMPLE WITH PLATE NUMBER OF THE 6-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. FROM THE EARL OF CRAWFORD STRIP. THE 6-CENT IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION AND WITH PERFORATIONS ON ALL SIDES.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 170 contain 35 certified examples. Of these, approximately half have full perforations on all sides, including several which are faulty. This stamp comes from the Earl of Crawford top selvage strip of four with plate number and imprint. This strip was spared the usual fate of scissors-separation.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman. With 1996 P.S.E. certificate.
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, full perforations on all sides and "No. 2(2)" of imprint in selvage at top, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING WITH ANY PART OF THE PLATE NUMBER.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. Our recently updated census records for Scott 171 contain 72 copies. This was the righthand stamp in the Earl of Crawford top selvage strip of four with part plate number and part imprint. This strip was spared the usual fate of scissors-separation.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman.
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 13(7)" of imprint in selvage at bottom, intense shade and impression, shortish perf at top rightFINE. THIS PLATE NUMBER POSITION PIECE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IS UNIQUE.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman strips, which also contained the adjoining single with the rest of the plate number.
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 31" of imprint in selvage at top, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, few shortish perfs at upper rightVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING SHOWING ANY PART OF THE PLATE NUMBER.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 174 contain 40 certified examples. Of these, well over half have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman as the rightmost stamp in the strip of four.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 22" of imprint in selvage at bottom, intense shade and impressionFRESH AND FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING WITH THE PLATE NUMBER.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. Our recently updated census records for Scott 176 contain 50 copies. Of these, approximately a dozen have perforations on all four sides. This stamp comes from the Earl of Crawford bottom selvage strip of four with plate number and imprint. This strip was spared the usual fate of scissors-separation.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman. With 1998 P.F. certificate
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and "No. 23" of imprint in selvage at top, rich color on bright paper, single shortish perf at lower rightVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. IT IS ALSO ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH FULL PERFORATIONS ON ALL FOUR SIDES.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. Our recently updated census records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies. Less than half have perforations on all four sides.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman.