Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue
1c Buff (112). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, well-defined grill, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, a remarkably fresh stamp, with 1983 and 1991 P.F. certificates
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill (114 var). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, clear grill points, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, brilliant color on crisp paper, Fine, scarce, wiith 2001 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, single hinge mark, vivid color without any trace of the oxidation that can plague this issue, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with balanced margins all around, deep rich color and intense proof-like impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE -- ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT 1869 PICTORIALS TO FIND IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Ex Silver Lake. With 1998 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Original gum, deep rich colors, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The 15c Type I comes from the first 1869 printing; in May 1869 the 15c went to press using the second frame plate, which produced Type II.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, lightly hinged, strong grill impression, rich colors on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. SCARCE IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE.
The 24c 1869 Pictorial is readily available in original-gum condition. However, choice centering and sound paper are elusive qualities among examples of this issue. This stamp has color, centering and margins that appear more like its re-issue counterpart.
Ex Silver Lake. With 1982 and 2002 P.F. certificates
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, intense colors, exceptionally well-centered with nicely balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A WONDERFUL STAMP IN TERMS OF GUM, COLOR, CENTERING, FRESHNESS OF PAPER AND IMPRESSION.
The rarity of centered original-gum examples of the 30c 1869 with grill is somewhat obscured by the availability of off-center copies of the 30c with and without grill. If the scope were narrowed to Scott 121 only, and only grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine were considered, we estimate that fewer than 15 examples would be counted. Among the qualifying stamps, this is without challenge one of the finest two or three. Referring to the P.S.E.'s Population Report, above the grade of 75 they have only graded two copies (one 90 and one 95).
Ex Silver Lake. With 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, intense colors and proof-like impressions, attractive centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. THERE ARE FEW SURVIVING SOUND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $15,000.00)
90c Carmine & Black, Without Grill (122a). Fresh original gum, intense colors and proof-like impressionsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL. ONLY 23 EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Of the 23 copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, only sixteen have either part or full original gum. Only nine of these are completely sound.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (F 70; unpriced in SMQ)