Sale 1108 — The Robert Bowman Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 29 September, 2015
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 114-122)
3c Ultramarine (114). Brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, neat target and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
6c Ultramarine (115). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, bold strike of blue grid cancel, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1985 and 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only three others share this desirable grade
10c Yellow (116). Vivid color, well-balanced margins, central strike of red quartered cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
12c Green (117). Intense shade and impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unusually wide margins, bright colors, cork cancel, Very Fine, scarce with such wide margins, with 1995 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Bright colors, well-balanced margins, centrally struck cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1984 and 1995 P.F. certificates
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Brilliant colors, wide margins, neat strike of circle of V's cancel and red transit cancel at left, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich frame color and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors.
With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,000.00). Only three have graded higher (two at 95J and one at 98J) and only six others share this grade.