Sale 1166 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 24-26 October, 2017
Category — 5c-12c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 12-17)
5c Red Brown (12). Original gum, lightly hinged, three large margins, clear at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperFRESH AND VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
The spacing between stamps was very narrow, leaving little margin for error when separating the stamps, which explains why so few examples are known with four margins.
Ex "Laila". With 1980 and 1997 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (12). Enormous margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,350.00). Only four have graded higher (all at 98J) and only five others share this desirable grade.
5c Red Brown (12). Huge margins all around including significant portions of adjoining stamps at sides, radiant color on bright paper, unobtrusive circular datestamps and portion of red postmark at leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE AND STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE FOR THE PERFECTIONIST.
With 1999 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,850.00). We cannot explain why this was not graded Superb 98J.
5c Red Brown (12). Large even margins all around, brilliant color on fresh paper, neat town datestamp with "Falls", Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 5c 1856 Issue, scarce used outside of New Orleans, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00)
5c Red Brown (12). Full even margins all around, bright shade, neat strike of town cancel, faint diagonal crease at top right and tiny corner creases at top, otherwise Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Three huge margins, barely touched at top left, rich color, bold strike of unusual oval of wedges inside outer rim fancy cancel, Very Fine and striking
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large part original gum, large to ample margins, intense color and impression, minute hinge thin, Very Fine appearance
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large part original gum, h.r., large margins to just touching at left, rich shade, minute pinpoint thin, Fine appearance
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Disturbed original gum, three large margins, close but clear at top, rich color, small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
10c Yellow Green, Ty. III (15). Huge even margins including portion of the adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color, circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III. THIS STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult.
Ex Kirke. With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $2,700.00). Only three other used Type III's share this grade and none grade higher
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Huge perfectly balanced margins, light face-free strike of town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00)
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large even margins, deep shade, grid cancel and tiny bit of manuscript, Extremely Fine, ex "Sevenoaks", with 1986 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, original gum which covers approximately half the stamp, described as "small part original gum" on accompanying certificates, large margins to just touched at top right ornament, rich color, tiny thin at topFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV WITH PART ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES UNUSED STAMPS.
As an indication of rarity, we have offered fewer than a dozen unused copies with or without gum in all of our Rarities sales and in the last 16 years of auctions.
Ex Curtis. With 1988 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, huge margins all around, rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, unobtrusive cancels including San Francisco circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1855 10-CENT TYPRE IV, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1996, 2010 P.F. (XF-Superb 95) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,250.00). Only three examples grade higher (highest is a 98)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 3R1, recut at top, the misplaced relief position showing breaks in lines above each "X", full to large margins including part of adjoining stamp at left, magnificent rich color and proof-like early impression, lightly cancelled by black town datestamp and trace of red New York datestamp (we have not added premium to Scott value)EXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM THE TOP-ROW MISPLACED RELIEF POSITION 3R1, WITH EXCEPTIONAL COLOR AND CLARITY OF IMPRESSION.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,800.00)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 54L1, recut at bottom, rich color, three ample to large margins, clear at top, neat strike of blue circular datestamp, fresh and Fine
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Positions 64-65L1, horizontal pair, left stamp recut at top and bottom, right stamp recut at top, mostly large margins to just touching at bottom of right stamp, rich color on bright paper, light blue cancels, Fine-Very Fine, a rare pair of the 10c Ty. IV, there are only two places on the plate where a horizontal pair of Type IV can occur (other is Position 54-55L1)
12c Black (17). Huge margins including large part of adjoining stamps at sides and part of top sheet margin with guide dots, intense shade and impression on bright paper, unobtrusive pen cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1983 and 2002 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as pen-cancelled
12c Black, Very Thin Paper (17 var). Clear to ample margins, proof-like impression typical of printing on thin paper, blue circular datestamp, Very Fine, with note from Dr. Amonette stating his opinion that the stamp is the thin paper variety