Sale 1044 — United States Essays, Proofs and Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 May, 2013
Category — 1870-73 Bank Note Issues (Scott 145-179)
1c Ultramarine (145). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 (for block of four) and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
2c Red Brown (146). Original gum, deep rich color, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
3c Green (147). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, an extremely difficult stamp to find unused in the higher grades, with 1988 P.F. (for block) and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $650.00), this is the highest grade awarded and is shared by only three others, SMQ does not even price this issue above the grade of 90
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, wide margins, bright color, small lightly soiled spot at top right not present on accompanying certificate photo, still Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.S.E. certificate
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, intense color, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (150). Original gum, rich color and detailed impression, uncommonly wide margins of Jumbo proportions, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A STRIKING JUMBO MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 1989 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,600.00 as 85, $4,000.00 as 90). Only two have graded higher (both at 90). This is the only original gum stamp with a Jumbo appellation contained in the P.S.E. Population Report
12c Dull Violet (151). Original gum, wide balanced margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND SOUND, CENTERED AND WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
The 15c 1870 National Grilled Issue (Scott 141) is widely recognized as an extremely rare stamp in choice original-gum condition. Less well known is the fact that its ungrilled counterpart -- Scott 152 -- is comparably challenging to find in such condition. This stamp has all of the National printing characteristics, but it defies the norm by having exceptional centering and freshness.
Ex Alford. With 1987 and 1992 P.F. certificates
24c Purple (153). Original gum, nicely balanced margins all around, beautiful depth of color, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,100.00)
30c Black (154). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with wide margins, beautiful deep charcoal shade and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL UNGRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL BANK NOTE ISSUES TO FIND IN SOUND, WELL-CENTERED, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
During the past 15 years, we have offered a few superb original-gum examples of National and Continental 30c Bank Notes (Scott 143, 154 and 165). Included in this total is a handful of the Continental printing, Scott 165, which is distinguished from its National Ungrilled counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations. For the Ungrilled National printing, Scott 154, we have offered fewer than five stamps comparable to or exceeding the outstanding condition of the example offered here. This is one of the most difficult of all the Bank Note issues to find in such superb condition (please see lot 125 for a discussion of the 30c National Grilled Issue).
From our 1993 Rarities sale. With 2002 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, outstanding centering with well-proportioned margins, radiant color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
With 1998 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $10,800.00). Only two stamps have been graded higher (both at 95) and two others share this grade
1c Ultramarine (156). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (157). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., choice centering with well-proportioned margins, wonderful depth of color, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 1997 P.F. certificate for block, Scott Retail as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice margins and centering on bright paper, Extremely Fine, a scarce sound and centered Mint N.H. example of this issue, with 1994 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition), only three stamps have been graded higher, Scott Retail as hinged
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, intense color, essentially perfect centering with huge marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE PRINTING. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
Ex Golin. With 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and detailed impression, three wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2013 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Original gum, wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1987 and 1999 P.F. certificates
12c Blackish Violet (162). Unused, regummed or significantly redistributed original gum, choice centering, deep color, Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate as original gum, Scott Retail as no gum
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, Jumbo margins and choice centering, vibrant color on bright white paper, insignificant nibbed perf at topEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING JUMBO-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
From our 1992 Rarities sale and ex Floyd. With 1991 P.F. certificate
30c Gray Black (165). Disturbed original gum, Jumbo margins, detailed impression and crisp shadeEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A BEAUTIFUL AND ELUSIVE STAMP.
As discussed in the description for the 30c National printing in this sale (lots 125 and 140), the 30c Continental is exceedingly difficult to find in original gum condition with choice margins and centering. Blocks have always been rare -- for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six -- which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples.
With 1976 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, lightly hinged, almost perfect centering on fresh white paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT CONTINENTAL ISSUE.
Ex Hillmer. With 1987 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (178). Original gum, brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (179). Original gum, almost perfectly centered with wide margins all around, deep rich color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 5-CENT TAYLOR CONTINENTAL PRINTING. AN EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The addition of a 5c value was made necessary by the creation of the General Post Union in 1874, which specified a rate of 5c between member countries, effective July 1, 1875. Of the two regular-issue 5c Taylor stamps -- Scott 179 (Continental) and Scott 185 (American) -- the former is much more difficult to obtain in this superior original-gum condition. The P.S.E. Population Report does not record an example above the grade of 90J and SMQ does not even price the stamp above the grade of 90.
With 1999 P.F. certificate