Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1870-79 Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 134-191)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely fresh color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2004, 2010 and 2013 P.F. certificates
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, full and clearly impressed grill, deep shade and fresh colorEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING STAMP SHOWING A STRONG IMPRESSION OF THE NATIONAL H GRILL. RARE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 1999, 2009 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison P.S.E. has graded only one at 90 (we have never offered it) and one higher (at 95, which we last offered in 2005).
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill points, rich color, trivial natural inclusion not mentioned on any of three certificatesVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE H GRILL.
Ex Hall. With 1990 P.S.E., 1995 and 2015 P.F. certificates
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Original gum, lightly hinged, almost perfectly centered, magnificent color with proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT I GRILL. RARE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $5,750.00). This stamp was graded before the Scott Catalogue began its major number listings for the I Grills. We suspect that is the reason P.S.E. does not list this XF 90 in its Population Report, where the highest grade listed is 85J with no gum -- none are graded with original gum. By way of comparison, the P.F. database lists only one graded stamp with gum, at XF 90.
1c Ultramarine (145). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded five at 90 (we have offered only one of them) and one higher (at 95).
2c Red Brown (146). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, lovely fresh color, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate for block of four (this the bottom left stamp)
3c Green (147). Mint N.H., bright shade, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
This stamp should not be confused with its 1873 Continental counterpart, which is much more readily available. We have offered only one other in Mint N.H. condition since 2015, and it was not centered as nicely as the example offered here. Only two are graded by P.S.E., at 50 and 75.
Ex Whitman. With 1987, 1996 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates. Scott value as hinged
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, radiant color, unusually wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, radiant color, beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH ORIGINAL GUM IN CENTERED CONDITION.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,000.00). Only three grade higher (two at 90 and one at 95, we have never offered a 90 and we last offered the 95 in 2009). Three others share this grade.
1c Ultramarine (156). Mint N.H., rich color in a distinct shade, this may be the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as hinged
2c Brown (157). Mint N.H., beautiful centering, strong color, incredibly fresh and Extremely Fine, difficult to find centered and with Mint N.H. original gum, with 1999 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90), by way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded four in Mint N.H. condition (at 90J, 80, 75 and 70) and does not price this in Mint N.H. condition, Scott value as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1873 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
This stamp has the widest margins and choicest centering of any we have encountered.
From our 1992 Rarities sale. With 1992 P.F. certificate.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, vibrant color, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00). Only two grade higher (at 95 and 95J) and five others share this desirable grade. The last time we offered this grade was in 2010. We have never offered the 95, and we last offered the 95J in 2010.
10c Brown (161). Mint N.H., beautiful deep rich shade, extra wide and well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
We have offered only seven others in Mint N.H. condition since keeping computerized records. This example has the widest margins of that small group.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value as hinged
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, charcoal gray shade, fine impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, go to any serious collection and look for this stamp, and most of the time it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30c 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare -- for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six -- which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples. We hope that collectors who still have a tendency to overlook the 30c Continental will be awakened to its rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition.
Ex "Hampshire". With 2008 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Ex Geisler. With 1983 (for block of four, this the top right stamp) and 2007 P.F. certificates
2c Vermilion (178). Original gum, barely hinged, with wide top selvage, brilliant color, wide margins, small natural gum wrinkle not mentioned on certificate, Extremely Fine, ex Liberman, with 1990 P.F. certificate stating "it is genuine"
5c Blue (179). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins all around, incredibly rich color on bright white paper, sharp and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 5-CENT TAYLOR CONTINENTAL ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The addition of a 5c value was made necessary by the creation of the General Postal Union in 1874, which specified a rate of 5c between member countries, effective July 1, 1875. Of the two regular-issue 5c Taylor stamps -- Scott 179 (Continental) and Scott 185 (American) -- the former is much more difficult to obtain in this superb original-gum condition because comparatively few multiples have ever been available to feed the demand for singles.
Ex Wingate. With 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, beautiful colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2010 (for block of four) and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
2c Vermilion (183). Mint N.H., rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $950.00)
5c Blue (185). Mint N.H., crisp impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue (185). Original gum, deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp
6c Pink (186). Original gum, brilliant color, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 6-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Original gum, wide to Jumbo margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WITHOUT SECRET MARK.
With 1975, 2000 and 2017 P.F. certificates
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Original gum, barest trace of hinge, beautifully centered, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 10-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING WITH SECRET MARK, IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION.
The 10c stamps from the American Bank Note printing (Scott Nos. 187 and 188) are notably scarce with such choice centering. The example offered here, with wide margins on all four sides, is a true condition rarity.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H., vibrant color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice
30c Full Black (190). Original gum, barest trace of hinging at bottom right, wonderfully well-centered, intense shade and clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine (191). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, brilliant color, beautifully centeredEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Ex Hoffman. With 2004 P.F. certificate