Sale 941 — The John F. Odeneal Collection of Superb Mint U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2007
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue
1c Buff (112). Mint N.H., brilliant color on crisp paper, well-proportioned margins, tiny natural gum skip, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as hinged
2c Brown (113). Mint N.H., pretty shade, well-balanced margins, tiny perf irregularity at topEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1987 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged.
3c Ultramarine (114). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion at bottom center, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as hinged
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color on paper as fresh as the day it was made, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A STAMP WITH GREAT VISUAL APPEAL.
With 1983 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, vibrant color which is unusually fresh for this issue, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A STAMP POSSESSING REMARKABLE FRESHNESS.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Unlike its Re-issue counterpart, the original 12c 1869 Pictorial issue is extremely rare in higher grades of original-gum condition.
With 1981 and 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,300.00)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, intense colors and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Even though the supply of Type II stamps is more plentiful than its Type I counterpart, we have found that is at least as difficult (if not more so) to find in such superb condition. This superb stamp has the brilliance of its re-issue counterpart, Scott 129, which is rarely encountered in stamps from the 1869 Type II printing.
Ex Floyd. With 1986 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich colors on bright paper, sharp proof-like impressions, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A SURPRISINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 24c 1869 Pictorial, even in original-gum condition, is not a rare stamp. However, centering and soundness are elusive qualities among examples of this issue.
With 1999 P.F. and 2000 P.F. certificates
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, brilliant colors, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Our experience with the 1869 Pictorial Issue has shown that the 30c with grill (as opposed to Scott 121a without grill) is extremely rare in well-centered original-gum condition. Centering seems to be a challenge in this issue, and our best estimate is that 12 to 15 stamps exist in the Extremely Fine grade with original-gum.
With 1996 P.F. certificate