Sale 1068 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 30 April-1 May, 2014
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
134
E
American Bank Note Co., Washington Design Die Essays on India. Eleven items, incl. six large die proofs showing die sinkage and five stamp size proofs possibly cut down from larger size, with "ABNC" in corners, different colors, Very Fine, these are probably samples of the ABNCo. engraver's and printer's handiwork, the central vignette is attributed to the work of Danforth, Bald & Co. (see Nos. 11-E10-11-E13)
E. 300-400
550
135
P
"Practice Engraving". India die sunk on 120 x 120mm card, seven designs in lake color, all are foreign countries or "International Postage", several designs are recognizable such as one very similar to the U.S. 1c Louisiana Purchase labeled "IMPERIAL CHINESE POST" and 1883 2c No. 210 labeled "INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE" with value expressed in Brazilian currency, and a frame with "PERU" label of an 1899 Cuban stamp and frame of a 100r Brazilian Official labeled "NEW ZEALAND" and so on, it has been suggested that this is the work of an apprentice engraver to show (and improve) his hand lettering work, Very Fine, fascinating item that has been attributed to the American Bank Note Co., with photocopies George W. Brett article from the Fall 1979 Essay Proof Journal, discussing this piece in great detail
E. 500-750
1,900
Back to Top136
P
1c-90c Continental Bank Note Co., Plate Proofs on Card (156P4-166P4). Large margins, bright colors, Very Fine, the 1c and 3c values on card come only from the first printing and are scarcer than those in the National Bank Note Co. set
1,220
550
Back to Top137
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unused (no gum), bright color, lightly soiled, otherwise Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
1,750
1,200
Back to Top138
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Unused (no gum), extra wide margins and perfect centering, vibrant color, Extremely Fine Gem, 1995 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies
1,550
1,700
Back to Top139
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Unused (no gum), clear grill points, rich color, faint diagonal crease visible only in fluid, Very Fine appearance, scarce unused, with clear 1964 P.F. certificate
2,550
650
Back to Top140
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Bright color, three wide margins, circle of V's cancel, slight wrinkling, appears Fine, with 1964 P.F. certificate
2,500
500
Back to Top141
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Brilliant color, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel which leaves grill easily visible from the front, most recent certificate notes tiny corner perf crease at top right, still Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate as sound (F-VF 75; SMQ $875.00) and 2013 P.F. certificate
1,500
500
Back to Top142
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Well-defined grill points of early state I Grill, characteristic weakly embossed center, rich color, segmented cork cancel, centered to right, tiny corner crease at top leftVERY GOOD APPEARANCE. THE 10-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. TO DATE, ONLY 16 EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue number status. Collectors will now have to acquire these I Grills in their quest for completeness. We anticipate that collector demand will be difficult to satisfy based on populations we have seen.
Ronald Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records two unused examples of the 10c I Grill, 12 used, plus an additional two used on the same cover.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
6,100
0
Back to Top143
1c Ultramarine, Kiss Impression (145 var). Clear doubling of design at bottom, bottom selvage with trace of imprint affixed partly over 10c Brown (161), target cancels and tied by "Leicester Mass. Apr. 22" circular datestamp on registered cover to Charlemont Mass., barely reduced at right, Very Fine on-cover example of the kiss impression, with 2003 P.F. certificate
E. 200-300
120
Back to Top144
7c Vermilion (149). Unused (no gum), remarkably wide margins all around, vivid shade, bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of the 7c National, the ideal stamp for the condition-minded collector who does not wish to pay a premium for gum, with 1985 and 2004 P.F. certificates
320
400
Back to Top145
90c Carmine (155). Brilliant color, wide margins, light cork cancel, fresh and Very Fine
350
325
Back to Top146
1c Ultramarine (156). Original gum, stunning color on bright paper, choice centering, Very Fine and choice
225
190
Back to Top147
2c Brown (157). Original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
350
275
Back to Top148
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., attractively centered, rich color, Very Fine, Scott Retail as hinged
110
150
Back to Top149
6c Dull Pink (159). Unused (regummed), magnificent centering and wide balanced margins, bright shade and unusually fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
130
225
Back to Top150
6c Dull Pink (159). Bright color, cancelled by perfect strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Ty. GE-EP1), Extremely Fine strike of this elaborate NYFM cancel
E. 100-150
90
Back to Top151
30c Gray Black (165). Disturbed original gum, Jumbo margins, detailed impression and crisp shade, reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1976 P.F. certificate as sound and 2013 P.S.E. certificate
3,250
850
Back to Top152
3c Blue Green, Double Impression (207c). Clear doubling of the stamp at bottom, tied by light strike of cork cancel, neat "Mechum's River Va. May 29, 1883" circular datestamp on cover to Cobham Depot Va., few perf faults at bottom, cover slightly reduced at leftFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS DOUBLE IMPRESSION RARITY, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE ON COVER. A GREAT RARITY.
Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put in the press a second time, when it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
Our census of Scott 207c, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/207c/207c.pdf , includes only the three examples. No others are contained in the records of the Philatelic Foundation, and we did not find any in our search of past auction catalogues.
Ex Wagshal and Natalee Grace. With 1989 P.F. certificate. Listed but unpriced in Scott as used, and unlisted in Scott as on cover. The example with part plate number realized $25,000 hammer in one of our 2004 auctions, and the other off-cover example realized $9,500 hammer in our October 2006 sale.
5,500
2,000
Back to Top153
1c-30c 1873-88 Bank Note Issues with Gem Appearance (163, 165, 182, 214). Four, each with previous certificate as sound and each with far superior centering and margins than normally seen, No.. 163 with 1985 and 1994 P.F. certificates as sound and 2012 P.S.E. certificate as reperfed, No. 165 with 1991 P.F. certificate as sound and 2012 P.S.E. certificate as reperfed, No. 182 with 2001 P.F. certificate as sound and 2012 P.S.E. certificate as reperfed, No. 214 with 2007 P.F. certificate as sound and 2012 P.S.E. certificate as small thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance, a beautiful group of stamps
E. 300-400
550
Back to Top154
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Original gum, rich color, perfectly centered with wide margins, couple minute toned specks, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Argentum
225
350
Back to Top155
2c Vermilion (183). Original gum, wide margins and choice centering, gum soak in bottom left perf not mentioned on certificate, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate for Mint N.H. block
250
180
Back to Top156
3c Green (184). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color and crisp impression, post-office fresh, Very Fine and choice, with copy of 1987 P.F. certificate for block
330
325
Back to Top157
6c Pink (186). Original gum, h.r., rich color, reperfed at top, Very Fine appearance, owner's backstamp
900
150
Back to Top158
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Unused (no gum), choice margins and unusually well-centered, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 P.F. certificate as regummed (since removed)
1,100
475
Back to Top159
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Original gum, barest trace of hinge, beautifully centered, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 10-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING WITH SECRET MARK IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION.
The 10c stamps from the American Bank Note printing (Scott Nos. 187 and 188) are notably scarce with such choice centering. The example offered here, with wide margins on all four sides, is a true condition rarity.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
1,800
4,000
Back to Top160
30c Full Black (190). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Argentum, with copy of 1984 P.F. certificate for horizontal pair.
900
550
Back to Top161
1c Gray Blue (206). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate for block of four
70
70
Back to Top162
3c Blue Green (207). Mint N.H., beautiful rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate
240
300
Back to Top163
6c Rose (208). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine, scarcer than its Red Brown counterpart and undercatalogued in Scott, with 2001 P.F. certificate
775
750
Back to Top164
2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing (211B). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, rich color, Very Fine, with 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
1,000
550
Back to Top165
1c Ultramarine (212). Wide sheet selvage at top, described as previously hinged by the P.F., but in our opinion the gum is absolutely pristine, bright color, exceptionally well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
90
180
Back to Top166
4c Carmine (215). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense color on bright white paper, slight traces of oxidation, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
200
225
Back to Top167
5c Indigo (216). Bottom right corner selvage, original gum, intense color on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, light diagonal crease in sheet margin only, few sensibly reinforced perf separations, Extremely Fine Gem, a visually striking stamp, ex Drucker, with 1984 P.F. certificate
225
275
Back to Top168
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, lightly hinged, enormous margins all around, rich color, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 1985 P.F. certificate
325
400
Back to Top169
90c Purple (218). Unused (no gum), pretty shade, perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
275
375
Back to Top170
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with enormous margins, rich color, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb stamp, with 1987 P.F. certificate
65
275
Back to Top171
2c Carmine (220). Mint N.H., perfectly centered, radiant color on bright white paper, post-office fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1995 P.F. certificate
60
225
Back to Top172
3c Purple (221). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
65
325
Back to Top173
10c Green (226). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, remarkably well-centered and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2003 P.F. certificate
175
600
Back to Top174
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., deep rich color, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
675
1,000
Back to Top175
30c Black (228). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine
350
475
Back to Top