30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Flags Inverted (121b). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, nearly perfect centering with well-balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO OR THREE SOUND COPIES. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

Only seven unused examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue with inverted flags are known. Only one has original gum (recently sold in our auction of the Beverly Hills collection for $600,000 hammer). The other six have no gum. Of the seven unused copies, the original-gum example is sound, as is the example offered here. One other is potentially sound, but has not been seen since 1960. Therefore, it is possible that this and the original-gum example are the only two completely sound unused examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Invert.

Census No. 121b-UNC-02. Ex Colonel Stillwell (Siegel Sale 413, sold by order of U.S. Trust Co.). Acquired by the current owner in our 1975 Rarities sale. With 2014 P.F. certificate.

Click here for a census of the unused 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue Inverts: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/30c_Unused.pdf

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables