Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-72)
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WITH MINT NEVER-HINGED GUM, BEAUTIFUL CENTERING, AND IN A DISTINCTIVE DEEP SHADE. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE BEAUTY, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Pink (64). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color in the true Pink shade, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK. ONE OF THE RAREST 1861 ISSUE SHADES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 3c 1861 Pink (Scott 64) is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition with fresh color. The nature of the ink used to print the 3c Pink shade is such that over the course of time, with exposure to light and other adverse elements, the color tends to oxidize or lose its vibrancy.
Collectors who have searched in vain for a 3c Pink in such condition will appreciate the rarity of this stamp in such a remarkable state of preservation. Others who may be less familiar with the rarity of this early 1861 Issue -- and perhaps deceived by the abundance of common 3c 1861 shades (Scott 65) -- are urged to consider the extreme rarity of Scott 64 in sound original-gum condition.
With 1962 and 1994 P.F. certificates
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color in the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, choice centering for this difficult issue, tiny perf crease at bottom not noted on certificateVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK. THIS IS THE FIRST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN FIFTEEN YEARS, AND IT IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE RAREST OF ALL 1861-66 ISSUE SHADES IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 3c Pigeon Blood Pink is the rarest of all 1861-66 Issue shades in original-gum condition. It is possible that only two others exist in reasonably sound condition, one of which is in the Miller Collection at the New York Public Library.
Ex Beckley. With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed on crisp paper, long and full perforationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT ROSE PINK SHADE.
With 1991 and 2000 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1993 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Dull Brown Red (65 var). Block of four, Mint N.H., gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, significantly different shade than the primary Scott-listed RoseEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE DULL BROWN RED SHADE. THE SCOTT DULL RED BROWN LISTING IS BASED ON THIS SHADE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Rose, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (65d). Original gum, barely hinged, rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins at top and bottomVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A STUNNING PAIR OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY, WHICH IS IN A REMARKABLE STATE OF FRESHNESS.
The number of 3c 1861's released imperforate horizontally is not known, but they are very rare in any form. We have offered only a very few in the past several years.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (65d). Top left corner margin block of four, unused (no gum), large margins at bottom, choice centering side-to-side, bright colorEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING SHEET-MARGIN POSITION MULTIPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. UNDOUBTEDLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
A block of four stamps, imperforate horizontally, was recently sold in our auction of the W. Wilson Hulme II Collection. It was creased, but still brought $5,000 hammer. The superb pair in the same sale realized $13,000 hammer (the two pairs in this block are equals).
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as two pairs
3c Rose, Printed on Both Sides (65e). Original gum, barely hinged, face of stamp has choice centering with brilliant color and wide margins, back of stamp shows clear impression inverted relative to face and angled, completely soundEXTREMELY FINE. THIS SINGLE AND THE PAIR OFFERED IN THE FOLOWING LOT ARE THE ONLY RECORDED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN ALL THREE UNUSED EXAMPLES.
The most comprehensive census of Scott 65e has been compiled by Jim Zollweg. This rare variety is known with the image on back inverted (as on the single and pair offered in this sale) and rightside up, indicating that more than one sheet was released to the public. Used copies have been found in both configurations. Mr. Zollweg records three unused stamps (the pair and single in this sale) and eleven used. The pair and single were originally joined as a strip of three in the Lilly sale. Viewed from the face, the single was joined to the right of the pair.
Ex Lilly as a strip of three. With 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Printed on Both Sides (65e). Horizontal pair, original gum which is only barely hinged (if at all), face of stamps are well-centered, back shows strong impressions inverted relative to the face, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. THIS PAIR OF THE 3-CENT 1861 PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES IS A UNIQUE MULTIPLE, CONTAINING TWO OF THE THREE RECORDED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THIS DRAMATIC VARIETY. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED MULTIPLES FOR ANY PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES VARIETY. A RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
Jim Zollweg's census of Scott 65e records three unused stamps (the pair and single in this sale) and eleven used copies. The unused single and pair were originally joined together in the strip of three offered in the Lilly sale. Viewed from the face, the single was joined to the right of the pair.
The only other multiple of a printed on both sides variety is the unused plate block of six of Scott 94d, offered as lot 118 in this sale. A used pair of Scott 158k was offered in our 1967 Rarities sale, but it is believed to have been broken.
Ex Lilly as a strip of three. With 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING.
With 1976 and 1993 P.F. certificates
5c Buff (67). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, long and full perforations all aroundVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE SOUND AND CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 5c Buff and its shade varieties (Brown Yellow and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major Scott listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series. A review using Power Search supports our claim. We have offered only one sound original-gum example centered better than Fine since 2000.
With 1984 and 2000 P.F. certificates
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful brilliant shade and impression on bright paper, a very early printing with fine detail of background and lathework clearly visible, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN YELLOW IS ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION -- IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES EXIST AS SUCH. THIS STAMP -- WITH ITS LIGHTLY-HINGED ORIGINAL GUM AND BRILLIANT COLOR -- IS AMONG THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
As noted, the 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Brown Yellow are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c).
With 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and crisp impression, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 10-CENT YELLOW GREEN IN A REMARKABLE STATE OF FRESHNESS.
With 1994 P.S.E. certificate
10c Dark Green (68a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression which at first glance looks more like the First Design (Scott 62B), choice centering with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE EARLY DARK GREEN SHADE.
The deep shade of the stamp offered here offers a dramatic contrast to the main Scott-listed shade offered in the previous lot. Based on dated covers, it appears that the Dark Green is from an early printing, probably close to the time the Type I (First Design) plate was replaced with the Type II plate.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp shade and impression, wide margins, long and full perforations all aroundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN A WONDERFUL STATE OF FRESHNESS.
Ex Hetherington. With 1980 and 2000 P.F. certificates
24c Red Lilac (70). Original gum, absolutely stunning deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering with extra wide margin at rightVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN TERMS OF COLOR, IMPRESSION, CENTERING, FRESHNESS OF PAPER AND GUM.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC SHADE IN EXISTENCE.
As noted in several of the descriptions of original-gum 1861's in our past sales, these stamps are available in unused no-gum condition or low grades of original-gum condition; however, the combination of original gum and choice centering is so rare that Scott values can be very misleading. In the case of this 24c, the unusually deep Brown Lilac shade adds another dimension of rarity -- perhaps comparable to the difference between a 5c Red Brown (75) and 5c Brown (76).
Offered to the market for the first time since our 1995 Rarities sale. With 1993 P.F. certificate.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, remarkably deep rich color and proof-like impression in crisp paper, selvage at top, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE. THE STEEL BLUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND COLLECTIBLE OF ALL 24-CENT SHADES, AND THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, remarkably choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 186124-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. ONE OF THE RAREST ORIGINAL-GUM STAMPS IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. We feel this is nearly as rare as the Blackish Violet, which has a catalogue value of $60,000.00.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Slightly disturbed original gum with some slight overall gum staining, radiant color, choice centering with wide margins for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PALE GRAY VIOLET SHADE ON THIN PAPER IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM AND CENTERED CONDITION. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
A review of our computerized records shows we have only offered one original-gum example in the past twelve years, which was off-center and repaired. None was offered in major name-sales collections, including Caspary, Floyd, Weisman or Lyons. It may well be the rarest of the 1861 Issue shades to obtain with original gum.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Block of four, original gum, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, each stamp is beautifully centeredEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
As this block demonstrates, the 30c 1861 plate left very little space between the stamp subjects. Consequently, perforations usually cut into part of design. This fact is acknowledged in both the Scott Catalogue and Stamp Market Quarterly, and the 30c 1861-68 Issue is one of the few for which which centering standards are adjusted accordingly.
This block was originally joined with the superb block of four that was offered in the sale of Zoellner collection. This block was positioned to the left of the Zoellner block. It is possible that the few other 30c 1861 blocks were also part of a larger multiple, but the Zoellner and Whitman blocks have superior centering.
Ex Anderson and DuPuy. With 1976, 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, wide margins and almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 1985 and 2000 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on crisp paper, wide marginsFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE. VERY FEW BLOCKS SURVIVE.
Ex Caspary, Lilly and Ishikawa. With 1993 and 2003 P.F. certificates