90c Pale Blue (72a). Beautiful color in the distinctive Pale Blue shade, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT IN THE PALE BLUE SUB-SHADE. A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS SHADE, AND ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.

Most examples of this shade tend to be poorly centered. Only three have graded higher than 80, compared to 49 of the normal shade. A review of The Philatelic Foundation's online records found that most tend to be either defective or poorly centered.

Ex Bowman. With 1994 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. We are surprised SMQ value is not higher -- this is the same value assigned to the normal Scott 72 shade, which has six graded higher and twelve at this grade. The significantly lower population report numbers for Scott 72a should argue for a much higher valuation.

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