Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 5c-12c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 12-17)
5c Red Brown (12). Huge margins all around including significant portions of adjoining stamps at sides, radiant color on bright paper, unobtrusive strikes of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE AND STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2015 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo)
5c Red Brown (12). Enormous margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,350.00). Only four have graded higher (all at 98J) and only three others share this desirable grade.
5c Red Brown (12). Huge bottom left corner margins, deep rich color, town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE-MARGINED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00)
5c Red Brown (12). Enormous top and bottom margins including likely sheet margin at top and significant portion of adjoining stamp at bottom, rich color, town cancel, Extremely Fine, a striking stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,550.00)
5c Red Brown (12). Large margins all around, deep rich color on bright paper, light strike of New Orleans circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,375.00)
5c Red Brown (12). Huge to large margins, rich color, neat New Orleans circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Large margins to full, bold color, light strike of red cancel, Very Fine and choice
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Position 91R1, large to huge margins including bottom left corner sheet margins, bright color and detailed impression, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, the presence of full corner margins is especially scarce, Jakubek backstamp, with 1998 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00), we feel this stamp should have received a much more favorable grade
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Large margins, rich color, town cancel, tiny thin speck at top of Washington's head, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1980 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Huge margins, deep rich color and strong impression, neat circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1993 A.P.S. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $650.00)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large margins, beautiful red grid cancel, strong early impression on bright white paper, Extremely Fine, a lovely and striking stamp, with 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, Ty. III (15). Huge even margins including portion of the adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color, town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult.
Ex Kirke. With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $2,700.00). Only three other used Type III's share this grade and none has graded higher
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Huge margins, deep rich color, strong impression on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. and 2011 P.S.A.G. certificates (95 used)
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large to huge margins all around, deep rich color, cancelled by trace of town datestamp at right as well as French transit double-circle datestamp and portion of rating handstamp at left, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp with three different cancels including two struck in France, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, huge margins all around, rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, unobtrusive cancels incl. San Francisco circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPRE IV, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1996, 2010 P.F. (XF-Superb 95) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,250.00). Only three examples grade higher (highest is a 98)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, huge margins including significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, pretty shade, unobtrusive strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV DOUBLE RECUT WITH LARGE TO ENORMOUS MARGINS.
With 1979 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $4,650.00 without taking into consideration the added premium for the position -- on a ratio basis using Scott Retail values, 64L1 should be valued at around $6,200.00 in SMQ)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, huge margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, light strike of town datestampEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM POSITION 64L1 -- THE ONLY POSITION RECUT AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM.
Ex Dr. Kingsley. With 1980 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, ample to large margins all around, portrait nicely framed by circular datestamp and with part of red cancel at left, pretty colorEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV.
Ex Senchuk. With 1975, 1994 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,800.00)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, large to huge margins including portion of adjoining stamp at left, bold strikes of New York Ocean Mail circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM POSITION 64L1 -- THE ONLY POSITION RECUT AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM.
Ex Saadi. With 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85 XQ)
12c Intense Black (17). Original gum, barely hinged, full margins all around, exceptional deep shade which is much more intense than normal (and reflected in the accompanying certificate's identification as "Intense Black")VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
The 12c 1851 plate was laid down with very little room between stamps -- just barely one millimeter, to be exact. For this reason, collectors have a difficult time finding stamps with margins all around -- particularly in lightly hinged original-gum condition.
With 2006 P.F. certificate for a pair (as "Intense Black")
12c Black (17). Jumbo margins all around including interpane margin with centerline at right and parts of all five adjoining stamps other sides, deep shade, crisp impression on bright white paper, light town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED SINGLES OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE EXTANT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
Many collectors have a tendency to discount how difficult it is to find imperforate classics in such superb condition. The assumption is that there are multiples which can be split to "make" perfect singles. However, one would need a lightly-cancelled block of nine or sheet margin block of six, with no wrinkles or other minor defects, to produce a single such as the one offered here. This is the third example of Scott No. 17 graded Gem 100 Jumbo we have offered. We feel that this example slightly edges out the other two which have bolder cancellations.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $6,450.00 as 100). Only two others have achieved the ultimate Gem 100 Jumbo grade (both used) with the next highest at 98 Jumbo (no Gem 100 examples)
12c Black (17). Large to full margins, bright shade and bold impression, neat circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00)
12c Black (17). Large to huge margins including parts of adjoining stamps at sides, deep shade and proof-like impression, face-free strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Saadi, with 1988 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ)
12c Black (17). Positions 31-32R, right example showing the scarce cracked plate, large margins to clear, bright shade, light blue circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, listed but unpriced in Scott, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)