Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 10c-90c 1861-66 Issue (Scott 68-72)
30c Orange (71). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, vivid color and impression as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, bold strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE IN EXISTENCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP, WITH JUMBO MARGINS, GORGEOUS COLOR AND A CLEAR CANCEL, HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued; the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes "coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition". Scott Catalogue also acknowledges the difficulty of obtaining this issue in better condition, stating "Values for No. 71 are for examples with small margins, especially at sides. Large-margined examples sell for much more".
Ex Filstrup, Koppersmith and Hinrichs. With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,550.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and it is the only example to achieve this grade.
