Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-68)
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, near perfect centering, long and full perforations, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H. block of four, radiant color and detailed impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With copy of 1990 P.F. certificate for block of 15. Scott Retail as hinged block of four
1c Dark Blue (63b). Superbly centered, intense shade and impression, lightly cancelled by double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, a lovely example of this 1c 1861 shade variety, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Clear vertical laid lines, deep rich color, very lightly cancelled by target, accompanying certificate carefully annotates a couple of small tears and corner creases, which we would characterize as trivial flawsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON VERTICALLY LAID PAPER.
Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid (he was aware of only two horizontal), but our experience and an examination of the records of The Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually seen with faults.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
3c Pink (64). Original gum, vibrant color in the true Pink shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins, vertical bend (as usual) and single short perf at right center, neither mentioned on accompanying certificatesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK.
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. This is a desirable example with vibrant color.
With copy of 1956 note (with photo showing intact right perf) from Ashbrook confirming this as a Pink. With 1965 and 1995 P.F. certificates as sound (both show the short perf)
3c Pink (64). Block of four, original gum, small h.r., true Pink color, centered slightly to top, faint gum soaks, few horizontal perf separations, one stamp faint natural gum creaseFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK AND PROBABLY AS FINE AS IT EXISTS.
Multiples of this distinctive shade are very difficult to obtain. Apart from the ex-Zoellner block of four (no gum) and the unique plate block of twelve, we have not offered any others since 1993.
Ex Lilly, Grunin and Klein. With 1975 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Wide margins, bright and true Pink shade, unusual small circle of diamonds cork cancel, the extra wide side margins are a red flag this might be a reperfed straddle-pane stamp, and indeed the right side is reperfed -- not mentioned on accompanying certificate -- still looks Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Block of four, bottom stamps Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impressionFINE-VERY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT ROSE PINK WITH THE BOTTOM STAMPS IN PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
Ex Southgate. Scott Retail as a hinged block of four
3c Rose (65). Complete and well-struck Waterbury Conn. Barrel fancy cancel with part of rim of double-circle datestamp showing at left, Very Fine strike, shows effects of wear in cancel, with 1995 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Imperforate (65c). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins incl. left sheet margin, unused (no gum), some faint overall toning which is characteristic of the 3c Rose Imperforate and not mentioned on certificate, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, short perfs not mentioned on certificate, otherwise Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Lake (66). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impressionFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1861 3-CENT LAKE TRIAL COLOR.
A Power Search review shows we have offered only one other block since 1997.
5c Buff (67). Original gum, wonderful warm shade, gum partly redistributed over sealed tear at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BUFF 1861 ISSUE.
The 5c Brown Yellow and Buff shades are among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major catalogue listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
With 1967 P.F. certificate as sound
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade, well-centered, blue target cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate as Buff, No. 67
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade, nicely centered, cancelled by red New York "Paid" circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
5c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (68P4, 69P4, 71P4, 72P4, 76P4, 77P4, 78P4). Blocks of four, large margins, bright colors, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine
10c Yellow Green (68). Original gum, well-centered bright color, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered, intense shade and impression, few perf separations expertly reinforced, small corner crease at bottom leftVERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
A Power Search review indicates this is the first original-gum block we have offered in one of our auctions since 1996. Ishikawa had a block of four, heavily reinforced and with perfs cutting into the design. Sinkler had a block of four with similar centering to the one offered here, as did Caspary (offered in our Sale 775 in 1996). One other was offered in our Sale 756 (in 1993) with perfs into the design at top. Klein had a block of six, without gum. Blocks have been missing from most major collections, including Zoellner and Eno and Whitman.
With 1995 P.S.E. certificate. Undercatalogued in Scott, probably since none have been offered in recent memory to serve as basis for adjusting catalogue value.