Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
90c Blue, First Design (62). Original gum, choice centering with well-balanced margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, slightly rounded corner at top left not mentioned on either accompanying certificate, tiny thin spot at top centerEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE SECOND RAREST STAMP OF THE 1861 FIRST DESIGNS AND COLORS. ONLY EIGHT EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM ARE RECORDED. A BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE CLASSIC STAMP.
Our census of Scott 62, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/62 , contains 22 examples, including one copy in the New York Public Library collection and another copy certified as a privately-perforated No. 62a, which comes from a set in the Col. Green sale that was signed by John Luff (we believe this stamp to be genuine). Another has been certified as genuine with a trial cancel. Excluding the NYPL copy and the ex-Green stamp just noted, only eight examples of the 90c First Design are available with original gum. Of these eight, only three are sound. The example offered here, with a tiny thin spot, has one of the least noticeable faults of the remaining five original-gum stamps.
Census No. 62-OG-03. Ex "Bayou". With 1955 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the tiny thin spot.
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Mint N.H., attractive margins and centering, rich color, Very Fine, with 1976 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue (63/72). Eight used stamps, including Nos. 63, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 76, rich colors, few different cancels, some small faults but a couple are sound, Fine-Very Fine appearing set, 90c with 1993 P.F. certificate
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3c Pink (64). Vibrant color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, neat strike of double-circle datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1974 P.F. and 2000 P.S.E. certificates
3c Pink (64). Vivid Pink color, neat strike of grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Choice centering, lovely Rose Pink color, neat "Paid" lozenge cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example, with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
3c Rose (65). Tied to small piece by perfect strike of Waterbury, Connecticut, Man with Hat fancy cancel (Rohloff E-5), small piece of rim of circular datestamp also ties stampEXTREMELY FINE AND SUPERB STRIKE OF THE WATERBURY MAN WITH HAT FANCY CANCELLATION, WHICH WAS CREATED BY POSTMASTER JOHN W. HILL. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST STRIKES OF THIS RARE CANCELLATION.
This is an early state of this carving, with the shoulder segment solid rather than divided into segments.
With 2018 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Cancelled by perfect strike of Devil & Pitchfork fancy cancel of West Meriden Conn., the entire design of the fancy cancel is perfectly clear, stamp with minor crease at left center, an Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel, for a history of this fancy cancel go to http://www.ctpostalhistory.com/CtPP/Postal_Markings_files/D%26PArticleJan2016XXXLR.pdf , a fascinating article on this subject by William Duffney also appeared in the most recent Congress Book
3c Rose (65). Bright color, perfect strike of "MY" Heart fancy cancel of Dayton O., small flaw at bottom right corner, Extremely Fine strike of this scarce fancy cancel
3c Rose (65). Rich color, bold strike of Waterbury Shield fancy cancel (Rohloff Q-3), stamp with few faults, Very Fine strike
3c 1861-68 Issue (65, 94). Three stamps with fancy cancels, first No. 65 with complete strike of Putnam Conn. Stars and Balls cancel, second No. 65 with strike of Greenwich N.Y. Star & Crescent, last No. 94 with mostly complete strike of Cambridge Mass. Padlock cancel, a couple tiny faults, Very Fine strikes
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5c Buff (67). Deep rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Rich color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of San Francisco cogwheel cancelEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN YELLOW, SCOTT 67a.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Radiant color nicely complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate (submitted at 67b, certified as 67, it's actually a 67a)
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Essentially perfect centering with wide margins all around, lovely crisp shade and fine impression, sharp strike of handsome blue target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC WITH A NEAT BLUE TARGET CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95.
Ex Haas, Grunin, Klein and Zoellner. With 1988, 1998 and 2017 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2018 P.S.A.G. certificate (95). By way of comparison, only two stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report exceed the 95 grade. This P.F. and P.S.A.G. example graded 95 is particularly desirable with the colored cancel
24c Steel Blue (70b). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, rich color, light cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1987 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Extra wide margins and choice centering, rich color, large segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India (73P1). 45 x 57mm, removed from original card but not thinned, showing albino impression of die no. 1030 and imprint at bottom, small inclusion at bottom well clear of designVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE DIE I LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE.
The original state of the Black Jack die, or Die I, does not show the star on Jackson's right cheek or the dots in the upper left scroll. Proofs pulled from this first die date to the issuance of the stamp in 1863. Die II proofs, showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, were pulled later, including probably at the time of the 1875 Re-Issue (which also shows Die II characteristics).
The Die I Black Jack large die proof is extremely rare in any size. There is only one recorded full-size non-hybrid example (ex Metzger and Faust). There are probably fewer than five total in existence in any size and none are die sunk.
Ex Finkelburg and Fosdyke-Ray. With 2018 A.P.S. certificate.
2c Black, Die II, Large Die Proof on India (73P1a). Die sunk on 140 x 218mm card with full die sinkage, die no. 1030 and National Bank Note Co. imprint at bottom of India, intense proof shade showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, faint diagonal line of toning on card could easily be removed, Very Fine, the Die I large die proof is exceedingly rare with probably fewer than five known in any size, this Die II proof is also very elusive and is more often than not found as a hybrid (this example is not a hybrid and is full size)
2c Black, Die I, Plate Proof on India (73P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 28 block of eight, ample to large margins, crisp impression, typical small India paper translucency at bottom left which is only visible from the backVERY FINE. A BEAUTIRUL AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK PLATE PROOF ON INDIA PAPER.
Power Search lists only two others offered in our sales since 1999. With 2014 Sismondo certificate stating genuine and free of faults
2c Black, Die I, II, Plate Proofs on India and Card (73P3-73P3a, 73P4). Collection of 38 proofs including one pair, first 33 are plate proofs in Black on a mix of both India paper and card, India shows both Die I and Die II, card are all Die II, mounted on two clear stock pages which offers insight into the slightly different shades from different printings, ample to large margins, a few typical small flaws including a couple on card with some toning, only one on India paper with a more serious thin, additional five plate proofs are trial colors including two Atlanta proofs, small flaws on the non-Atlanta trial colors, overall Very Fine group
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2c Black, Die II, Plate Proof on India (73P3a). Top margin block of 20 with National Bank Note Co. imprint at top, representing the complete first two rows of the pane, large margins other sides, few very faint toned spots and a few small India paper translucencies as normal, appears Extremely Fine, a very rare imprint multiple, this is the only imprint multiple from the top of the pane we have offered from either Die I or Die II, ex Hall and Fosdyke-Ray, Scott Retail as blocks of four
2c Black Jack, Die I, Trial Color Plate Proofs on India (73TC3). 14, range of colors with some duplication including extras of Green and Vermilion, includes Light Blue with geometric trial cancel, a few minor translucencies typical for this fragile paper, overall Very Fine, the trial cancel is found on covers from Washington D.C. and was probably obtained to test the trial color proofs, Scott Retail without premium for the trial cancel which is unlisted
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2c Black, Lowenberg Decalcomania Plate Essays (73-E73P5). Group of mostly multiples on Goldbeaters or Onion Skin, including blocks of eight and four (two), strip of three and three pairs, one of the blocks of four is on the scarcer Pale Rose paper (Scott Retail $250.00 per single), also a single on thick salmon paper from a different experiment, mostly large margins, typical flaws and flaking as normal for this fragile paper, overall a Very Fine appearing and desirable group
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2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (73SB). Block of four, mount glazed original gum with narrow band of gum loss at top, h.r., Very Good, Scott Retail as singles
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (73SB). Six singles on a stock card, half have original gum (some disturbed), one with particularly attractive margins and centering, couple small flaws, one Very Good, others Fine with one Very Fine
2c Black (73). Block of 15, unused (no gum), unusually well-centered throughout, some perf rejoining or reinforcing, minor perf toning and small thin spot in top left stamp, Very Fine appearance, an attractive and scarce Black Jack large multiple, from our 1991 Rarities sale, Scott Retail as no-gum singles
2c Black (73). Three blocks of four, original gum, first with attractive centering and margins but reperfed at left, appears Fine, with 2018 A.P.S. certificate, other two with h.r., one with some staining on gum side which does not show thru, Fine appearance
2c Black (73). Block of four, well-centered, bold circle of wedges cancels, bottom right stamp either an additional cancel or a small stain in corner, Fine-Very Fine, an attractive used block, much scarcer than an unused block despite the similar Scott Retail value
2c Black, Atherton Shift (73 var). Lightly cancelled, centered to top right, clearly showing the major double transfer at top, faint horizontal crease at top ending in a small tearFINE APPEARING AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ATHERTON SHIFT -- THE MOST PRONOUNCED DOUBLE TRANSFER OF THE BLACK JACK ISSUE.
According to the Allen book, the Atherton shift got its name from Stanley Ashbrook, who first discovered it in the summer of 1923 in the collection of J. P. Atherton. Concerning this double transfer, Mr. Ashbrook wrote: "Here we have one of the most remarkable double transfers on U. S. stamps that I have ever seen. I have for years classed the One Cent 1851, Type II, 89R2, as the No. 1 among remarkable examples of this variety and in my opinion this 2c Black Jack could well rank as No. 2. Perhaps some would even rank it equal to the 1c..." He stated further that it was his opinion, supported by other authorities whom he had consulted, that the variety must surely have come from an early or first condition of one of the plates, and that later it had been burnished out and a fresh entry made. The fact that every line in the Atherton Shift "is razor sharp" led him to conclude that the plate from which it came was very new.
Ex "Lake Shore" and Bakwin. With 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Six used stamps (one is grilled No. 93), nice range of cancels including red rosette, blue circle of wedges, blue "A" (grilled), Geometric in circle, all have choice centering and nice strikes of the cancels, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, each with P.F. certificate
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2c Black Jacks, Colored Cancels (73, 87, 93). Approximately 120 stamps including three pairs, about 18 have red cancels and the rest with blue cancels, the reds include a nice strike of fancy four squares with negative "X" and "+", another with red cancel and blue "Aachen Franco" boxed handstamp, the blue cancels include the three pairs, each of which has a nice strike of Cincinnati O. circular datestamp and grid duplex, also one on piece with blue New York City fancy Star in Circle and circular datestamp duplex, mixed condition with flaws to be expected, overall Fine appearance, Scott Retail approximately $9,000.00
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2c Black Jacks, Revenue Uses (73). Collection of 19 documents and more than 20 off-document stamps with revenue cancellations, also a few on pieces, nice range of uses with two containing normal revenue stamps as well, includes checks, receipt for a school principal's desk, a number of estate receipts, two on photographs, one interesting example on piece that appears to have three separate cancels (revenue and postal), mixed condition with some flaws to be found, overall Fine and fascinating collection of Black Jack illegal revenue uses
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Black Jack Ephemera. Group of more than a dozen items, most interesting is a mounted portrait reported to be a rare tobacco card from the 1800's, also three 1860's commemorative medals made to appear as coins, other items include recent reprint engravings and some philatelic event Jackson souvenirs, Very Fine and interesting group
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2c Black (73). Substantial accumulation of more than 115 unused stamps, including two pairs and one strip of three, some original gum and lots with no gum, a dozen or so are used as well (not counted in total above), range of shades, mixed condition with small flaws to be expected though no doubt some are sound, one of the pairs is actually quite nice, overall Fine, Scott Retail in excess of $20,000.00 counting only about 25% as original gum (there are more than that)
15c Black (77). Choice centering, bold strike of elaborate New York Geometric cancel (S-E GE-E60), short perf at right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
15c Black (77). Crisp impression on bright paper, red circular datestamp at left and ultramarine cork at center, Very Fine, very unusual with the ultramarine cancel, with 2004 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac (78). Wide margins and choice centering, fresh color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Intense shade and impression, perfect strike of 16-Segment Rosette in Circle fancy cancel of Ripon Wis. (S-E GE-R5), Extremely Fine strike, a stamp with fantastic visual appeal, with 2004 P.F. certificate