Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 5c-10c 1847 Issue and 1875 Reproduction of 1847 Issue (Scott 1-4)
5c Red Orange (1c). Large to huge margins all around, radiant color in the true Red Orange shade which is nicely complemented by blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE AND DESIRABLE RED ORANGE SHADE. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
According to a series of articles by the late Calvet M. Hahn in the Collectors Club Philatelist, the Red Orange shade was printed some time during the fourth and last printing, which took place in December 1850. Research by Wade Saadi indicates the Red Orange shade was produced exclusively during the last printing, stamps from which were part of the Fifth Delivery (December 7, 1850).
The stamp offered here was part of an important West Coast collection built before World War II. It was acquired privately by "Argentum" (Dr. J. A. Graves) through Raymond Weill and later sold by the Siegel firm as part of the Argentum collection (Sale 807) to John C. Chapin. Because this stamp was hidden in an album for nearly 50 years, its color is much stronger than that of most Red Orange examples seen today.
Ex Argentum and Chapin. With 1994 and 2005 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $25,000.00). Only one other shares this grade, which is the highest awarded. The other example was offered in our sale of the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1024, lot 16).
