Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 62B-65)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Wide margins and choice centering, wonderful dark shade and intense impression of the First Design printing, neat San Francisco circular datestamp leaves portrait almost completely unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT GREEN FIRST DESIGN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE 1861 ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (63). Pretty pastel shade, exceptionally well-centered with wide and balanced margins, quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 1c 1861 Issue is a very common stamp. However, it is very difficult to find in such superb condition. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,850.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 63, either used or unused, and it has been equaled by only two other used examples
1c Ultramarine (63a). Radiant color in the distinctive Ultramarine shade, wide margins, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE ELUSIVE ULTRAMARINE SHADE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Don Evans devotes almost an entire column in his book on the 1c 1861 Issue to a discussion of the Ultramarine shade, in which he notes they are "extremely scarce" (page 33). We have offered only three other used examples since keeping computerized records
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate
1c Dark Blue (63b). Deep rich color in this distinctive shade, well-centered, bold target cancels, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2003 P.S.E. and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
3c Pink (64). Near perfect centering with wide margins, beautiful bright color in the true Pink shade, clearly struck blue Springfield O. double-circle datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY PINK SHADE. A MATCHLESS COMBINATION OF QUALITY AND COLOR.
Ex Klein and Zoellner. 1959 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates
3c Pink (64). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bright color, circular grid of small segments cancel used at PhiladelphiaEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE PINK SHADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). Only two have graded higher (both at 95) and only five others share this grade
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Brilliant color with bluish cast indicative of the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, wide margins and attractive centering, complemented by neat blue grid cancel and trace of Louisville Ky. circular datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK, CANCELLED IN BLUE.
The Pigeon Blood Pink shade, named for the rare ruby, is regarded as the most distinctive and rarest of the Pink shades. Unfortunately, the special bluish-pink tint of the true Pigeon Blood Pink is sensitive to light and other environmental factors. Therefore, examples kept in the dark over many years retain the true Pigeon Blood color, while others have lost it. This example retains its vivid color.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Bright shade, attractive centering and margins, blue Cincinnati duplex datestamp and grid cancel, short perf at upper right, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Deep rich color on bright paper, complemented by blue target cancel, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $600.00), only one has graded higher
3c Rose (65). Pastel shade, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, 2002 P.S.E. certificate with Superb 98 grade (SMQ $600.00), more likely to grade 90J by today's standards
3c Rose (65). Choice centering, with part imprint and "No. 11" plate number selvage at bottom, neat grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, a scarce 3c 1861 with the plate number and part imprint, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
3c Rose (65). Bright color, outstanding centering and margins, tied by bold strike of blue segmented cork with matching "Chicago Ill. RA Oct. 5" double-circle datestamp on buff prisoner-of-war cover to Williamstown Ky., clear strike of "Camp Douglas, Prisoners Letter, Examined" oval handstamp (Ty. I), slightly reduced at right, Extremely Fine stamp on a fresh cover, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Vertically Laid Paper (65b). Showing clear laid lines, brilliant color, neat face free double-circle datestamp cancel at lower right leaves design clearly visible, Very Fine, Brookman notes "It is known on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, in used and unused condition in each instance. It is not common in either form...", with 2003 P.F. certificate