Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — 1861-68 Issues
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Horizontal block of six, clear vertically laid lines, fresh color, cancelled by town circular datestamp which matches the datestamp on the other known blocks
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON VERTICALLY LAID PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF NO MORE THAN THREE RECORDED BLOCKS AND IS THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE.
The William H. Gross Multiples collection contained a block of four with datestamp cancels that match those on this block (Sale 1200, lot 54). That block was described as one of two known. The Evans book on the 1c 1861 issue illustrates the Gross block with two additional stamps at top (a vertical block of six, p. 38) and states that a different block of six and a block of four are known, all with the same cancels (possibly from a Kansas town), and were likely once part of a larger multiple. The block of six offered here is the "other" block of six noted by Evans, but with the reduction of the vertical block from six to four, this block is now the largest recorded multiple of the 1c 1861 on Laid paper.
Ex Ishikawa (pictured in his exhibit book, but it did not appear in the 1993 sale). From the Wade Saadi collection. Scott value as block of four and two singles.
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Vivid color and choice centering, bold New York circular datestamp (Sep. 27, 1861)
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK.
With 2024 P.F. certificate (VF 80)—undergraded in our opinion.
3c Pink (64). Bright color, tied by clear strike of "Kingsessing Pa. Dec. 24, 1861" Eagle with Crossed Arrows and ornaments fancy datestamp cancel, a so-called "linen marker" style of cancel similar to the one used at Mechanicsburg, Indiana, on red and blue "United Forever" Eagle and Flag with Shield showing Stars and interlocking Rings of States, to Knoxville Pa., red J. Magee of Philadelphia imprint on top flap, slightly reduced at right affecting perfs
VERY FINE. THIS COVER HAS EVERYTHING ONE COULD WISH FOR—A BETTER SHADE OF THE 3-CENT STAMP, A FANCY CANCELLATION, AND AN ILLUSTRATED PATRIOTIC DESIGN THAT NICELY MIRRORS THE FANCY CANCEL. A PHENOMENAL COVER IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 1976 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose (65). Tied by beautifully clear strike of Cannon Patriotic fancy cancel, with "Williston Vt. Jan. 15" struck twice, including once over the same datestamp from the day before, on buff cover to U.S. Barracks at Brattleboro Vt., original enclosure datelined at Williston on Jan. 14, no yeardate but letter refers to enlisting so this is obviously contemporary with the Civil War, stamp is defective and cover is repaired at right, also soiled, the Cannon fancy cancel strike is Extremely Fine, a very rare Patriotic fancy cancel, unlisted in Skinner-Eno which does list a very similar cancel from Newcastle Pa., with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Jackson, Die II, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on India (73TC1a). Each of the eight Scott-listed trial color proofs for the 2c Black Jack issue, six are die sunk on cards approximately 66 x 75mm or slightly larger, two are cut down to just inside the die sinkage area but are still of substantial size (Dark Orange and Ultramarine), with "No. 1030" and "National Bank Note Co." imprints at bottom, fresh and bright colors, wonderful impressions, a few with very trivial toned specks on card
EXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COMPLETE SET OF LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 2-CENT 1863 BLACK JACK ISSUE. FOR MOST OF THESE COLORS ONLY TWO EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
These eight distinct trial colors of 2c 1863 large die proofs were part of the Bernard Faust collection, and represent all of the known colors. In the 1969 Allen book (page 127), Maryette Lane provides a census of colors known at that time (six in total) and states that no more than two of any one color are known. Our own search of specialized 2c Black Jack sales yielded the following colors and quantities (17 in total): Green (2), Dull Rose (3), Dull Yellow (2), Scarlet (2), Red Brown/Dark Red Brown/Brown (4, in different shades), Dark Orange (2) and Ultramarine (2, called Dark Blue in Allen book).
The rarity of 2c 1863 large die trial color proofs is further demonstrated by the fact that none were present in the specialized collections formed by Allen, Brazer, Russo, Dr. Rorke or Fosdyke-Ray, and the Dr. Burrows collection contained only a single example. This entire offering was previously part of the iconic Falk Finkelburg collection of essays and proofs. They were purchased by Finkelburg in 1936 from John A. Klemann (Nassau Stamp Company), who presumably acquired them as part of the Earl of Crawford collection in 1915.
Believed to be ex Earl of Crawford. Also ex Finkelburg and Faust.
2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India (73P1). 52 x 59mm India paper mounted on 141 x 219mm card, "No. 1030" and "National Bank Note Co." imprint at bottom of India, fresh and bright
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE FULL-SIZE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1863 DIE I BLACK JACK LARGE DIE PROOF ON INDIA. AN ICONIC RARITY OF THE BLACK JACK ISSUE AND OF ESSAY-AND-PROOF COLLECTING IN GENERAL.
The original state of the Black Jack die, or Die I, does not show the star on Jackson's right cheek or the dots in the upper left scroll. Proofs pulled from this first die date to the issuance of the stamp in 1863. Die II proofs, showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, were pulled later, including probably at the time of the 1875 Re-Issue (which also shows Die II characteristics).
The Die I Black Jack large die proof is extremely rare in any size. This is the only recorded full-size non-hybrid example. There are probably fewer than five total in existence in any size and none are die sunk. We have not offered another example since keeping computerized records, except with the large "SPECIMEN" overprint.
Ex Metzger and Faust. With 2018 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Horizontal pair, tied by unusual circle of dashes cancel on cover to Cairo, Egypt, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jan. 6" circular datestamp on back and matching "5" in circle credit handstamp on front, red Verviers-Coeln transit datestamp, "Poste Vice-Reali Egiziane Alessandria 29 Gen. 69 3T" receiving backstamp, blue "f2" silbergroschen rate, the NGU rate to Cairo was 25c, thus the "Aff. Insuff" (Insufficiently Prepaid) straightline and "1½" (piastres) due handstamps were applied
VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL TO EGYPT, FRANKED FOR THE 20-CENT NORTH GERMAN UNION RATE TO ALEXANDRIA, BUT CHARGED 7 CENTS DUE BECAUSE THE RATE TO CAIRO WAS 25 CENTS.
Ex Gibson and Starnes.
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Tied by Yokohama "X" chop cancel on 10c Green on White entire (U40) from Japan to Dublin, Ireland, via San Francisco, sender's directive "Via San Francisco & Overland" — carried on the PMSS America, departing Yokohama January 1, 1870, and arriving San Francisco January 23, 1870—well-struck magenta "2" (cents) handstamp applied in San Francisco as a credit to England on transit mail originating outside the United States, matching magenta "San Francisco Cal. Paid Jan. 25" circular datestamp on back, "H&K Pact. Fe 19 1870" (Holyhead & Kingstown Packets) backstamp, stamp lifted and reaffixed and with couple short or pulled perfs, repaired tears at top and bottom left, Very Fine appearance, starting January 1, 1869, a new postal convention between the United States and England included an article allowing for 2c credit for letters sent via the U.S. mails (and vice versa), a separate article covered mail to and from Hong Kong and China, the cover offered here is the earliest reported example of the 2c credit marking applied in San Francisco
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, bright shade and fine impression on brilliant white paper, sharp and clearly defined grill
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL IN AN EXTRAORDINARY STATE OF FRESHNESS.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and seem to have caused National Bank Note Co. difficulty in applying perforations. They are typically off center with very choppy perfs. This stamp is uncharacteristically well-centered and has well-formed perforations.
With 2000 P.F. certificate.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, neat segmented circular cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT F GRILL.
With 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90).
90c Blue, Re-Issue (111). Original gum, deep rich color on bright crisp paper, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.
The 90c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 317 of the 90c were sold; the remaining 9,683 were destroyed on July 16, 1884. The example offered here, with original gum, sound and well-centered, is a great rarity.
With 1973, 1991, 2006 and 2013 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85).
90c Blue, Re-Issue (111). Original gum, single hinge mark, extremely intense color on bright paper, well-centered
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1875 RE-ISSUE.
The 90c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 317 of the 90c were sold; the remaining 9,683 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
With 1972 and 2014 P.F. certificates.