Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 123-133a)
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with perforations well clear of design on all four sides, clear strike of New York City "1" numeral oval grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, AND VIRTUALLY ALL HAVE FAULTS. THIS IS THE RAREST USED RE-ISSUE DENOMINATION OF THE SERIES.
Our census of Scott 125 in used condition, illustrated at left and available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/125/125.pdf , contains only fifteen copies. An example on cover was offered in the 1956 Caspary sale, but its current whereabouts is unknown. Of the fourteen other used copies, only three are confirmed as sound, but one has a straight-edge and the other has never been certified. two others need to be examined to determine soundness.
Ex Juhring, Hopkins (Christie's Jun. 12, 1989, where it realized $23,000 hammer) and Zoellner (where it realized $65,000 hammer in 1998). With 1978 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue notes "Very few authenticated sound used copies of No. 125 are recorded. The used value is for an attractive example with minimal faults"
