Sale 951 — The Tahoe Collection of Superb Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 27 February, 2008
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1861-66 Issue
2c Black, Re-Issue (103). Beautifully centered with balanced margins at sides and wide margins at top and bottom, sharp proof-like impression, bold strike of blue target cancellation, insignificant corner crease at bottom right is not even visible in fluid and can only be seen for a split second when the fluid driesEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE SECOND FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK RE-ISSUE. ONLY 21 USED COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Of the 21 used 2c Black Jack Re-Issue stamps in our recently updated census records, only six are sound and rate a grading of Very Fine or better. The finest copy in existence is the ex-Zoellner copy, which realized $11,000 in 1998. The stamp offered here is arguably the second finest and has the added attraction of a colored cancel. It is followed by four others with centering that is not quite as choice. Two of the other four have not been seen in over 20 years and, therefore, their condition needs to be verified.
Ex Morris and Twigg-Smith. With 1986 (not noting corner crease) and 2001 P.F. certificates.
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Choice centering with wide and beautifully balanced margins, light strike of cork cancellation at left, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE..
Only 672 were issued, and of these only a small number were used. Our recently completed unpublished census of this issue records only 35 used examples. This is easily one of the finest.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,200.00). This is the only example graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E., and only one has graded higher to date.