Sale 1244 — The Arthur S. Przybyl Collection of United States, Confederate States and Hawaii
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 November, 2021
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-78)
1c Pale Blue (63 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color we classify as Pale Blue, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate as normal Blue shade, Scott 63
1c Blue, Vertically Laid Paper (63c). Extremely clear vertical laid lines, wide margins, perfs just touch at right, deep rich color, light blue town datestamp, tiny tear at top right, Fine appearance and rare, Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper, with 2012 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Original gum, vibrant color in the true Pink shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins, vertical bend (as typical) 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.
Ex Hall. 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 Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 11 block of eight, lightly hinged, bright shade, few sensibly reinforced perf separationsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING QUALITY PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 3-CENT ROSE 1861 ISSUE.
Imprint and plate number blocks of the 3c 1861 only come from the bottom of the sheet, as the top and side selvage had no imprint.
Ex Drews
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Original gum, bright color, single short perf at top right and reperfed at rightFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 BROWN YELLOW.
The 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original-gum condition.
Small "WHC" backstamp (Warren H. Colson). With 1976 and 2000 P.F. certificates
10c Green (68). Original gum, attractive centering and margins, rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Original gum with slight disturbance at top, intense shade, Fine, with 1989 and 2002 P.F. certificates as "previously hinged"
12c Black (69). Block of four, original gum, single narrow h.r. top left stamp but very pristine gum appearance, intense shade and impressionFINE. A SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Sound blocks with original gum have always been scarce, but the harvesting of centered singles has left very few blocks intact--the largest recorded unused multiple is a block of six. Most remaining blocks are off center or have faults.
Ex Drews. With 1989 P.F. certificate
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Block of four, original gum, bit heavy h.r., radiant color on crisp paper, top left stamp 7mm tear at right center, few minor perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN LILAC SHADE. PERHAPS THREE OR FOUR EXIST.
We would have lost a bet if asked about the rarity of unused blocks of Scott 70 or 70a before a few years ago, when we tried to to answer the question of how many exist after we encountered a block of eight in the "European Connoisseur's" collection. The collections that are famous for blocks--Caspary, Lilly, Ishikawa and Klein--did not have any Red Lilac or Brown Lilac unused blocks. The large number of 24c Lilac and Gray Lilac (Scott 78) unused multiples tricks the memory. The rarity of the earlier printings in Red Lilac and Brown Lilac (on thinner paper) should not be confused with the later printings in the common shade on thicker paper.
Ex Drews. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Part original gum which covers more than half the stamp, rich color in this desirable shade, centered to left but with perfs clear, wide margins other sides, trivial diagonal creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue shade was produced early in the series of 24c 1861 shades, and it is scarce in any condition. Examples with any of their original gum are rare
With 2012 P.F. certificate
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, remarkably choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED. ONE OF THE RAREST 1861 ISSUE STAMPS IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c--the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. We feel this is nearly as rare as the Blackish Violet, which has a catalogue value of $95,000.00.
Ex Whitman and Petersen, and from our 2006 Rarities sale. With 2006 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Unused (no gum), vivid color on bright paper, fresh and Very Good, ex Frelinghuysen
30c Orange (71). Block of four, original gum, small h.r., fresh and bright color, single short perf at left of top left stampFINE-VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE.
As this block demonstrates, the 30c 1861 plate left very little space between the stamp subjects. Consequently, perforations usually cut into part of the design. This fact is acknowledged in both the Scott Catalogue and Stamp Market Quarterly, and the 30c 1861-68 Issue is one of the few for which which centering standards are adjusted accordingly. Virtually every well-centered original-gum block of the 30c 1861 has been broken into singles--this is a rare survivor with much better centering than usual.
Ex "Sevenoaks" and Wingate. With 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderful depth of color in a dark shade, centered to top left but perfs clear on those sidesFRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 1999 P.S.E. certificate
90c Blue (72). Block of four, disturbed original gum, h.r. where perf separations sensibly reinforced, deep rich color, bottom stamps horizontal crease, bottom left stamp sealed tearFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Ex Caspary and Drews. With 1981 P.F. certificate inaccurately describing the sealed tear in bottom left stamp as a "small repaired area"
2c Black (73). Block of eight with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 30 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, deep shade, exceptionally choice centering for this issue, some perf separations including tiny hinge reinforcements, small thin in top right stampVERY FINE. A REMARKABLY WELL-CENTERED AND ATTRACTIVE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE.
Chapin census no. 263. Ex Hind, Wampler and Gross
2c Black, Atherton Shift (73 var). Sharp impression and wide top margin which clearly shows the double transfer at top left, grid cancel, small surface scrape at top and reperfed at left (as usual for this straight-edge position)FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ATHERTON SHIFT, THE MOST PRONOUNCED OF THE BLACK JACK DOUBLE TRANSFERS. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE WIDE TOP MARGIN, WHICH COMPLETELY SHOWS THE VARIETY.
According to the Allen book, the Atherton shift was given its name by Stanley B. Ashbrook, who first discovered it in the summer of 1923 in the collection of J. P. Atherton. Concerning this double transfer, Ashbrook wrote: "Here we have one of the most remarkable double transfers on U. S. stamps that I have ever seen. I have for years classed the One Cent 1851, Type II, 89R2, as the No. 1 among remarkable examples of this variety and in my opinion this 2c Black Jack could well rank as No. 2. Perhaps some would even rank it equal to the 1c..." He stated further that it was his opinion, supported by other authorities whom he had consulted, that the variety must surely have come from an early or first condition of one of the plates, and that later it had been burnished out and a fresh entry made. The fact that every line in the Atherton Shift "is razor sharp" led him to conclude that the plate from which it came was very new.
Ex Drews. With 1995 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Unused (no gum), brilliant color in the unmistakable Scarlet shade, sharp impressionFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
Many examples of this stamp have either somewhat faded color, poor centering, faults or a combination of those problems. This is a sound and particularly fresh example.
Ex Wingate. With 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich Red Brown color, attractive centering and marginsFINE AND SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT IN THE 1862 RED BROWN SHADE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION--THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
The 5c 1861-68 Issue was printed from plates with closely spaced subjects that left little room for the large 12-gauge perforations. The Brown shade, Scott 76, is scarce in original-gum condition and truly rare in this high grade.
With 1995 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other.
5c Brown (76). Block of four, original gum, rich color, light creases or bends, reperfed at left, Very Good-Fine appearance, a very scarce block of the 5c 1863 Brown, most surviving blocks have perfs cutting into the design, ex Curtis and Drews
15c Black (77). Block of four, original gum, h.r., attractive centering, crisp impression, a few faults that are not immediately noticeable (including a nicked perf hole between top two stamps)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN ISSUE.
Ex Lozier, Sinkler and Drews. With 1987 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac (78). Unused (traces of original gum), bright color, detailed impression, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (POG, XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00 as no gum), Scott value without gum