Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 62B-67b)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Choice centering with wide and even margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression beautifully complemented by red New York circular datestamp, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST DESIGN 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CANCEL.
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.
Ex Zoellner and Dauer. With 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00). Only two have graded higher and only two have equaled this grade
1c Blue (63). Perfect centering with wide margins, brilliant color on bright white paper, beautifully complemented by red New York Carrier datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE WITH A VIVID RED CARRIER CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
This is an outstanding example of one of the most remarkable aspects of the Kirke collection -- finding common stamps in the most uncommon condition and with beautiful cancels.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved it
1c Bright Blue (63). Magnificently centered with beautiful color, neat grid cancel, full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00 as the normal Blue)
1c Ultramarine (63a). Rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, neat strike of target cancel and also circular datestamp at bottom, tiny thin spot at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1972 P.F. certificate
1c 1861 Issue, Shade Study (63). Small shade study of four stamps, including Pale Blue, Deep Blue, Pale Milky Blue and Bright Blue, wonderful contrast in shades when shown side by side, three with nice margins and centering, last in at left, the Pale Milky Blue with small tear, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, each accompanied by one or two certificates, Pale Blue graded VF-XF 85
1c Dark Blue (63b). Intense color and impression which is very distinct from the standard Blue shade, essentially perfect centering, lightly cancelledEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE COLOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE ONE-CENT.
Don Evans notes in his book on the 1c 1861 Issue (p. 33) that the Dark Blue shade is very close to Indigo shade used for the "Premiere Gravure" (Scott No. 55) and in fact he believed that this should be the formal designated color name for this shade.
With 1992 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,850.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade
3c Pink (64). Beautifully centered with wide margins, intense color in the true Pink shade, face-free grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK IN THE FRESHEST STATE OF PRESERVATION.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade -- a statistic which has not changed in at least four years
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Brilliant color with bluish cast indicative of the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, outstanding centering with wide margins, part strike of "West Farms N.Y. Oct. 12" (1861) circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
Ex Klein. This stamp was on a cover to Albany N.Y. when last offered to the market and the cover accompanies. With 1961, 2000 and 2009 P.F. certificates as on cover. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $8,500.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 95) and this is the only example to achieve this grade
3c Rose Pink (64b). Choice centering with wide margins, fresh color, neat strike of Old Point Comfort Va. double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F., 2005 P.F. (XF 90) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $260.00)
3c Rose (65). Extra wide and mathematically balanced margins create a "picture frame" around the design, lovely color and impression, struck-on-the-nose blue target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE WHICH HAS RECEIVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM P.S.E.
Although 3c 1861's are dirt common, one would have to sift thru many thousands to find the peer of this 100-point Gem, and even then the task might be hopeless.
With 2010 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade
3c Rose (65). Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, rich color on brilliant white paper, struck-on-the-nose target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning example of this common stamp, with 2011 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), while not a P.S.E. grade stamp, the P.S.E. Population Report contains only the stamp offered in lot 3110 in a grade higher than this
3c Rose (65). Perfect centering with wide beautifully proportioned margins, intense shade, fancy "X" roman numeral cancel of Saccarappa Me. (Skinner-Eno NS-J21), Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $475.00 as normal cancel), only ten P.S.E. certified stamps have equaled this grade with any type of cancel while just one has graded higher (offered in lot 3110)
3c Rose (65). Wide margins and precise centering, fresh color beautifully contrasted by bold Star within Star in Circle fancy cancel, (similar to Skinner-Eno ST-ST 26a), Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp combining centering with a perfectly struck fancy cancel, with 2010 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
3c Rose (65). Choice margins and centering, pretty soft color nicely contrasted by perfect bold strike of fancy Anchor cancel of Putman Ct. (Skinner-Eno PO-An 14), Extremely Fine, a stunning stamp, with 1995 P.F., 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo)
3c Rose (65). Three singles, each with wide margins and precise centering, rich colors and neat cancels including target, small circle of wedges and face-free blue town, Extremely Fine Gems, each with P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (all XF-Superb 95; total SMQ $540.00)
3c Rose (65). Six stamps, wide margins and choice centering throughout, all but one graded XF 90 and each with a better cancel including "Free" lozenge, Masonic, San Francisco cogwheel, blue "Balto. Paid" perfectly struck and nearly complete, "Greenwoods Co./New Hartford Ct." 1865 company revenue cancel (small corner crease) and New York Steamship, fresh and Extremely Fine, desirable group, most with a second certificate, SMQ value for just the 5 graded 90 with normal cancels is $400.00
5c Buff (67). Essentially prefect centering, radiant color on bright white paper, beautifully complemented by central strike of blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE -- PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BLUE CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Due to narrow spacing on the 5c plate, it is very difficult to find centered copies with the perforations clear of the design on all sides. The stamp offered here, with its choice centering, fresh color and attractive cancel is a condition rarity.
With 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share this grade.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Beautifully centered with well-proportioned margins, fresh color, neat strike of Boston "PAID" in oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN YELLOW COLOR, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1995 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share this grade.
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Radiant color in the true Olive Yellow shade, choice centering with margins clear of outer frame lines all around, neat grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A DESIRABLE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE RARE AND DISTINCTIVE OLIVE YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS THE SCARCEST SHADE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE, AND IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
We have offered approximately a dozen unduplicated examples of the Olive Yellow shade in any condition since keeping computerized records. Of these two were unused. It is difficult to find in sound and centered condition.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded.