Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Choice centering with balanced margins, duplex cancel leaves the vignette fully visible, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
2c Brown (113). Intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of rosette cancel at left leaves design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, the 2c is difficult to obtain in such choice condition, ex "Natalee Grace" and Morton, with 1996, 2019 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
6c Ultramarine (115). Outstanding centering with wide margins, rich color, cancelled at bottom edge leaving entire design fully visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1996 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
6c Ultramarine (115). Rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, cancelled by bold strike of rust red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a stunning stamp and scarce with such a deep shade of red cancel, ex Eubanks and Morton, with 1987 and 2011 P.F. certificates, the latter stating "rust red cancel", with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $650.00)
10c Yellow (116). Jumbo margins and choice centering, vivid color, duplex cancel struck at bottom leaves design fully visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00)
12c Green (117). Precise centering, deep rich color, cork cancel struck at bottom leaving the Adriatic vignette unobscured, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Exceptional centering with wide margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unobtrusive cancel with rim of circular datestamp at edge -- leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
In his book on the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Jonathan Rose noted that essays were made for both the Type I and Type II designs prior to the time the stamps were issued. The stamps were fed through the press twice -- first for the vignette and then for the frame. The challenge for the printers was to properly align the vignette when printing the frame. Apparently, the addition of the diamond marker at top center of the Type II design made it easier to accomplish this task. It also made any misalignment less noticeable. Type II stamps appeared within days of the EDU for Type I and are much more common.
Ex Morton. With 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $12,000.00). This is the only Scott 118 at this grade with just two graded higher (both 98J and both more heavily cancelled).
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Well-centered with balanced margins, deep rich colors beautifully complemented by red segmented cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, wide margins, light strike of cork cancel leaves the vignette fully visible, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 and 2005 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
24c Green & Violet (120). Appears to have Jumbo margins and exceptional centering but reperfed at right, very lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2015 P.S.A.G. certificate that does not note reperfing and gives it 95J grade
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide margins and choice centering, fresh colors, vivid red cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 ISSUE WITH A "PAINT RED" CANCEL.
Most classic issues carry a premium for red cancels (the 1847 Issue excepted). However, the premium for a red cancel on this issue -- at nearly double the price of the stamp with a black cancel -- indicates its high desirability on the bicolor 1869 Pictorial Issue. With 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, radiant colors nicely complemented by red circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELLED IN RED.
As mentioned in the previous lot, the bicolor 1869 Pictorial stamps are particularly desirable in the highest grades cancelled in red. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,700.00 without premium for the cancel)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, deep red cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, a lovely 30c 1869 Pictorial cancelled in red, ex Price, with 1999 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Bright colors and crisp impressions, cancelled solely by red cork cancelFINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELLED SOLELY BY A RED CORK.
As mentioned previously for the 24c and 30c values, the bicolor 1869 Pictorials are very desirable cancelled in red. The 90c is rare as such and Scott assigns a $1,000.00 premium for a red cancel.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Bright color and crisp impressions, very lightly cancelled leaving entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
These high-denomination stamps were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. They were often heavily cancelled by postal clerks to make sure they were not reused. The example offered here, with a very light cancel, is a rare exception to the rule.
Ex Dr. Graves ("Argentum"), "Natalee Grace" and Morton. 2013 P.S.E. certificate no longer accompanies (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00). With 1983, 2009 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). In the Morton sale catalogue we stated we were surprised this was not graded higher than 90 by P.S.E. The new XF-Superb 95 P.F. certificate confirms our view on the centering and freshness of this stamp