Sale 920 — United States Rarities
Sale Date — Tuesday, 17 October, 2006
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue
1c Buff (112). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright fresh paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate for pair. Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (113). Block of 25, original gum, most stamps Mint N.H., bright color, few toned spots, top center stamp tiny thin spotFINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
2c Brown, Without Grill (113b). Original gum, deep rich color and fine impression, attractive centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
Most examples of this stamp are significantly off-center. With 2006 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unused (no gum), bright colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,800.00)
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely fresh rich colors and quite well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE . AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright colors and sharp clear impressions, wide marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1983 and 1991 P.F. certificates
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Original gum, lightly hinged for this, incredibly deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, centered to top and with part of design of adjoining stamp visible at bottom, small horizontal crease at right centerFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
With 1974 P.F. certificate
90c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (122-E4a var). Frame as No. 122-E3 and with Lincoln vignette mounted in place, large marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE COMPOSITE ESSAY WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Ex Lafayette. With 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as normal
90c Lincoln, Deep Blue, Large Die Essay on India (122-E4a var). Frame as No. 122-E3 and with Lincoln vignette mounted in place, large margins to full, minor paper wrinkling, appears Very Fine, this and the previous lot are the only two examples we have ever offered since keeping computerized records, with 2006 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as normal
15c-90c 1869 Pictorial Inverts, Plate Proofs on Card (120aP4, 121aP4, 122aP4, 129aP4). Large margins, especially the 15c and 30c, the latter with sheet margin, fresh colors, rich colors and detailed impressionsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE INVERT PLATE PROOFS WITH INVERTED CENTERS. ONLY ONE SHEET OF 100 OF EACH WAS PRODUCED.
All known examples of these invert proofs come from the sheets in the Earl of Crawford collection