Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues (Scott 134-229)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Rich color, several clear grill points, neat blue target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. and 1992 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Radiant color, wide margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Bright color, excellent centering, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, also trace of red cancel at bottom, Extremely Fine Gem, a lovely stamp, P.F. certificate no. 321921 no longer accompanies (printout from P.F. website included)
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Choice centering, New York Foreign Mail Star cancel, Very Fine, with 1985, 2006 and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Vivid color, several clear grill points, cork cancel, small perf tear at top right, otherwise Very Fine, with 1963 Stolow certificate
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Clearly defined grill, distinctive light shade of the grilled issue nicely complemented by a well defined red New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, attractive centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE WELL-DEFINED GRILL AND RED NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCEL.
Scott 142 is not known in unused condition. Therefore, anyone wishing to complete this set must obtain the stamp in used condition. The example offered here, with a well-defined grill, a well-defined red NYFM cancel and attractive centering, is one of the most desirable we have encountered.
With 1997 P.S.E. and 1998 P.F. certificates.
24c Purple, H. Grill, Points Up (142 var). Clear grill points visible from the front of the stamp, well-struck segmented cork cancelFRESH AND FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE WITH POINTS UP WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
The points-up variety is caused when the sheet of stamps is fed into the grilling machine upside down. It can also be caused by a foldover somewhere in the sheet, but that is likely not the case here due to the grill's orientation.
Ex "Lake Shore". With 1974, 1987 and 2005 P.F. certificates, the latter mentioning the points up variety. Listed in Scott but unpriced. Scott value as normal points down grill
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Crisp impression, several rows of clear grill points, wide margins and attractive centering, quartered cork cancelVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
P.F. certificate no. 329846 no longer accompanies.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Balanced margins, intense shade, several rows of clear grill pointsVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
With 1996 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Rich color on bright paper, red "PAID" straightline handstamp, Very Fine and choice example of the 2c I Grill, with 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Clearly defined grill, brilliant color and choice centering, neat New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel and rim of circular datestamp at bottomEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL, WITH A CLEAR GRILL AND A CHOICE STRIKE OF A NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL GEOMETRIC CANCEL.
With 1999 and 2012 P.F. certificates, the latter specifying No. 138A (VF-XF 85).
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Three wide to huge margins, clearly defined grill, bright color, bold strike of Negative Five-Point Star cancel, Very Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate not specifying the grill type (before I Grills were separately listed)
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Clear grill, brilliant color, grid cancel, Very Fine
7c Vermilion (149). Mint N.H., vivid color and sharp impression on bright paper, remarkably choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CENTERED, MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
A review of our computerized records found that we have only offered two other Mint N.H. examples since 2001, including one graded Fine only.
With 2022 P.S.E. (ungraded) and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90XQ; the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"). Scott value as hinged
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, bright color and well-centered, Very Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
24c Purple (153). Exceptionally well-centered, bright color complemented by red New York Foreign Mail Star cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90XQ)
90c Carmine (155). Bright color, segmented cork cancel, Very Fine, with 2022 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (157). Original gum, exceedingly wide margins, uncommonly well-centered, intense color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo)
2c Brown, Double Paper (157a). Well-centered, rich color, bold cork cancel, paper layers separated except at top left corner, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., well-centered, wide margins, strong color, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85), Scott value as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Jumbo margins and choice centering, rich color, exceptional strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss GE-EN5), Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; NYFM cancels not separately priced in SMQ)
10c Brown (161). Unused (no gum), wide margins and choice centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Unused (no gum), well-centered, brilliant color and fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.F. certificate
5c Blue on Horizontally Laid Pale Rose Paper (179-E4). Original gum, heavy laid lines clearly visible, vivid color and paper, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine and rare despite the modest Scott Catalogue value, ex Caspary, dos Passos, Klein and Zoellner, with 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (182). Original gum, barely hinged (appears Mint N.H. at a glance), choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. certificate
6c Pink (186). Original gum, bright color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark, Double Paper (187a). Original gum which is slightly disturbed in top right corner, bright color and crisp impression, outstanding centering and marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLE AMONG THE FOUR RECORDED 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY STAMPS ON DOUBLE PAPER.
The four recorded examples of Scott 187a on Double Paper originate from a block that was acquired by Champagne in one of our 2002 sales and broken up. This is the top left stamp and the best centered among the four. We offered the bottom right stamp in our 2012 and 2020 Rarities sales. The top right stamp is offered in the following lot. We have not offered the fourth single from the bottom left.
With copy of 2003 P.F. certificate for the block of four (this the top left stamp).
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark, Double Paper (187a). Original gum which is slightly disturbed in top left corner, bright color and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY STAMP ON DOUBLE PAPER.
The four recorded examples of Scott 187a on Double Paper originate from a block that was acquired by Champagne in one of our 2002 sales and broken up. This is the top right stamp. We offered the bottom right stamp in our 2012 and 2020 Rarities sales. The top left stamp is offered in the previous lot. We have not offered the fourth single from the bottom left.
With copy of 2003 P.F. certificate for the block of four (this the top right stamp).
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, vibrant colorFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 7-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 196 contains approximately 85 examples. With 1954 and 2006 P.F. certificates
15c Red Orange (189). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 1983 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $450.00)
30c Full Black (190). Intense shade and impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
1c Gray Blue, 3c Blue Green, Double Paper, Patent Punches (206-207 var). Single 1c, three singles and two blocks of four of the 3c, one block of four with four large holes patent punch, the others all with eight punches in a circle, original gum, some faults including one of the blocks reperfed (eight holes), overall Fine and interesting group, the Douglas Patent was designed to prevent the re-use of stamps through printing on two thin layers of paper, which would break apart when removed from a cover -- it is reported that some were sold at the Washington D.C. post office
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6c Rose (208). Original gum, brilliant color, wide margins and well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, barely hinged, deep rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, lightly hinged, exceptional deep shade, beautifully centered with huge margins at top and bottom, Extremely Fine, a striking stamp, ex Hillmer, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Black Brown (209b). Disturbed original gum, beautiful dark shade in the unmistakable Black Brown, left perfs close to barely touch, small thin spots, Fine appearance and a very scarce shade, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
4c Blue Green (211). Mint N.H., rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. (for strip of four) and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, deep rich color, outstanding centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Wide margins and choice centering, bright color, registry oval cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, P.F. certificate no. 433982, graded XF 90, no longer accompanies (printout from P.F. website included)
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2" (220a). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2004 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $650.00)
4c Dark Brown (222). Mint N.H., deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H., lovely color, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,850.00)
5c 1890 Issue, Trial Color Plate Proof on Gummed Stamp Paper (223TC5). Two pairs, Black Brown and Sepia, original gum, large even margins, Very Fine and choice, listed but unpriced in Scott
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H., bright color on post-office fresh paper, precise centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Sacramento" where it realized $3,000 hammer in 2021, leading us to believe this is undergraded, with 2011 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,100.00). Only three grade higher (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade.
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., exceptional centering and wide margins, rich color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With 1995 and 2022 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). By was of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only two at 98 (including the stamp offered in the previous lot), and just three higher (at 98J).
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., intense color, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,400.00)
10c Green (226). Mint N.H., choice centering with balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1985, 2018 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF 90; SMQ $1,650.00)
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 2015 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90; SMQ $3,100.00)
90c Orange (229). Mint N.H., vivid shade and sharp impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
With 2002, 2006 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only five higher (two each at 90J and 95, one at 98).