Sale 951 — The Tahoe Collection of Superb Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 27 February, 2008
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue and Re-Issue
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all around, neat strike of Philadelphia circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,050.00 as 95, $2,200.00 as 98), this is the only example to achieve this high grade and only two have graded higher to date
12c Green (117). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of crossroads cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Beautiful centering with unusually wide margins all around, bright colors as fresh as the day they were printed, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A HUGE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, wide and well-proportioned margins, unusual cork cancel which leaves the design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Double Grill (121 var). Perfectly centered with wide margins, bold strike of propeller-style cork cancel, both grills clearly visible (though one is slightly fainter)EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH DOUBLE GRILL. AN EXTREMELY RARE VARIETY OF THIS POPULAR ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Ex Lake Shore. With 1985 and 2005 P.F. certificates. Massively undercatalogued in Scott -- this stamp realized $6,000 hammer when we sold it in 2004, and the P.F. has certified less than a half-dozen as genuine in any condition.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, bright colors, bold strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1955 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Buff, Re-Issue (123). Brilliant color on post office-fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, well-struck duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Perfectly centered with immense even margins, bold double registry ovals, dark color on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE 95J, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED TO DATE.
The 2c 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue is one of the most difficult values of the set (after the 3c) to obtain in such superb condition and with such wide margins. We are aware of only one other which compares favorably to the stamp offered here. That other stamp was purchased by us for a client in the Shreve Floyd sale in 2001 for $12,000 hammer.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,200.00 as 95, $6,400.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Incredibly rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfect centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of New York duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $6,450.00 as 90). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Choice centering with Jumbo well-balanced margins, deep rich colors on fresh paper, neat strike of registry oval cancel and also blue British registry crayon markEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WITH GORGEOUS COLORS, HUGE MARGINS, LONG PERFORATIONS AND A BEAUTIFUL CANCEL. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,900.00). Only one other shares this grade, and only two have graded higher to date.