Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; unpriced in SMQ)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Deep rich color, light strike of Oct. 1861 double-circle datestamp, better centering than normally seenEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN.
The 10c is the only denomination of the 1861-66 Issue that was actually issued in two types. Type I, Scott 62B, was printed from Plate 4. Type II stamps -- Scott 68 and its grilled counterparts -- were printed from Plates 15 and 26. It has been surmised that Type I was pressed into service to help fill strong demand for 10c stamps after demonetization of the earlier issue. The 10c stamps paid the transcontinental rate, the ship-letter rate and certain rates to foreign countries. The Plate 4 Type I stamps left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides.
With 1992 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and two others share this grade.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Rich color in a dark shade, unusually light cancel, Very Fine, with 1985 and 2000 P.F. certificates
1c Blue (63). Pretty shade nicely complemented by blue Cincinnati double-circle datestamp, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in the higher grades, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $625.00), only five grade higher (highest is 98)
3c Pink (64). Precise centering with even margins, bright pink shade, neat 7-bar rimless grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK.
With 2003 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Pink (64). Fresh color in the true Pink shade, lightly cancelled, strong Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Radiant color nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $250.00)
3c Rose Pink (64b). Exceptionally well-centered, rich color, mostly face-free blue cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., rich color, attractive centering and margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
3c Rose (65). Original gum, bright shade, crisp impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $350.00), for such a common stamp the population numbers are surprisingly small in the higher grades, only twelve grade higher
5c Buff (67). Bright shade complemented by blue Baltimore circular datestamp, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,750.00)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade, neat strike of grid cancel, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BROWN YELLOW SHADE.
We have described the brighter yellowish shades as 67a and the darker brownish shades as 67, regardless of certification, and lots may not be returned because of a difference of opinion as to shade.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate as Scott 67 (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00 as 67, $8,500.00 as 67a). With 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate as Scott 67 (Superb 98)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Radiant color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,850.00)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Radiant color, grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate as Scott 67
10c Green (68). Rich color on bright paper, neat strike of red grid cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
12c Black (69). Intense shade and impression, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
24c Red Lilac (70). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, mostly face-free strikes of cork cancel, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $900.00)
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Perfectly centered with immense margins, light blue grid cancel, deep shade and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC FEATURING HUGE EVEN MARGINS, FRESH COLOR, SHARP IMPRESSION AND A COLORED CANCEL. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex "Tahoe" and Merlin. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,150.00). Only one grades higher (Superb 98, offered in our Kirke sale), and this is the only example to achieve this grade. This stamp appears to us to be the equal of the 98 ex-Kirke stamp.
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Excellent centering, beautiful rich color, sharp town circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, especially desirable with a town cancel, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $800.00)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Pretty shade, bold strike of grid cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00)
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color, grid cancel, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET, SCOTT 70c.
With 2017 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Remarkably choice centering for this difficult issue, intense shade on fresh paper, grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT IN THE PALE GRAY VIOLET COLOR.
The 24c Pale Gray Violet, Scott 70d, comes from an early 1861 printing on thin paper, a characteristic shared by the Violet and Steel Blue stamps. Scott 70d's rarity has been more widely recognized in recent years -- we have only sold two with original gum since keeping computerized records, and we have sold very few sound used copies in Extremely Fine condition.
With 1985 P.F. and 2002 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,000.00). Only one other example has achieved this grade (ex Kirke) and only one has graded higher (at 95)
30c Orange (71). Rich color, face-free grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $575.00)
30c Orange (71). Choice centering, bright color, large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $575.00)
90c Blue (72). Choice centering, rich color, blue "REGISTERED" straightline handstamp, Extremely Fine, with 1985, 1994 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,350.00)
90c Blue (72). Wide margins, rich color on fresh paper, lightly struck large segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $900.00)
2c Black (73). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM 1863 2-CENT "BLACK JACK", GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With graded 2006 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only five others. We have offered only one other, in 2015.
5c Red Brown (75). Pretty shade, unusually choice centering, unobtrusive cancel at lower leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 RED BROWN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Brookman notes "I consider the used Red Brown to be more scarce than Buff but the Buff is more scarce unused".
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others.
5c Red Brown (75). Uncharacteristically well-centered, stunning rich color and a well-incised impression, large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $725.00)
5c Brown (76). Rich color and detailed impression nicely complemented by blue target cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,400.00), only two grade higher
5c Brown (76). Beautifully centered, uncharacteristically wide margins, rich color and razor-sharp impression, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,400.00), only two grade higher
15c Black (77). Crisp impression, unusual segmented cork cancel, wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 1979 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $600.00)
15c Black (77). Wide margins, strong shade and impression, light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac (78). Bright shade, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT LILAC, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1982 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,150.00). Only three grade higher (two at 98, one at 98J) and no others share this grade.
24c Lilac (78). Wide margins, unusual grayish shade, "Free" in circle cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
24c Gray (78b). Rich color on bright paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, quartered cork and red circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Saadi, with 1987 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Deep rich color in this distinctive shade on bright paper, bold strike of cork cancel, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET, WHICH IS THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMP OF THE 1861-66 SERIES TO OBTAIN -- EITHER UNUSED OR USED -- IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered. The superb used single in our Sale 878 (lot 324, realized $22,000 hammer) was stolen from a Fedex courier and has not been recovered.
Our census of Scott 78c, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/78c , records a total of 36 used examples of this issue, of which only 31 have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation. We also record nine on cover plus three unused, for a total of 48 potential examples. Of the used off-cover copies only ten are confirmed as sound, and of these ten only four have decent centering (one of which is the stolen copy). This leaves only three used copies which are confirmed as sound and centered -- census nos. 01 (ex Dr. Morris), 02 (ex "Natalee Grace") and 30 (ex Floyd and Hall, the example offered here).
Census no. 78c-CAN-30. Ex Floyd and Hall. With 1996 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ $17,500.00)