90c Carmine & Black (122). Mint N.H.--yes, that is correct--pristine original gum with clear grill impression in paper and gum (an important characteristic of original gum), perfect craquelure of gum surface, fresh color and sharp impressions, three wide margins and frame design barely touched by single perf hole at upper right

FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS TOP DENOMINATION OF THE REGULARLY ISSUED 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE SELDOM COMES LIGHTLY HINGED, LET ALONE NEVER-HINGED. FOR THE COLLECTOR OF CLASSIC STAMPS IN MINT POST-OFFICE FRESH CONDITION, THIS IS THE ONLY STAMP OF ITS KIND.

Our reaction to the first report of this stamp and its accompanying P.S.E. certificate was, they got it wrong and the stamp is hinged or regummed. We were wrong. The gum is absolutely Mint Never-Hinged. If this stamp were face down next to 3c 1869 stamps in Mint N.H. condition, of which there are many, it would be impossible to tell which one was the common 3c and which was the arguably unique 90c.

One of the key characteristics of genuine gum on grilled stamps is the grill itself. In the manufacturing process, sheets were gummed first, then grilled and perforated. Therefore, the grill in original gum will show characteristics that differ from a grill that was covered with gum in regumming or brushing. Likewise, perforations that followed gumming will have a different appearance than perforations of a regummed stamp. Finally, brushing over a hinge removal will be evident in the minute crackling in the surface of the gum--what art experts call craquelure in oil paintings--but this stamp shows perfectly even crackling in the gum.

We have gone to great lengths to explain the Mint N.H. state of this stamp, because it might well be the only Scott 122 to survive in such condition. Every example we have seen is previously hinged or has disturbed gum, or has no gum at all. If this stamp were centered with a grade of 80 or better, it would be valued at $100,000 or more. With Fine centering, it will probably bring less, but for collectors of classic stamps in post-office fresh Mint N.H. condition, it is essentially priceless.

With 1980 P.F. certificate (before gum was described as never-hinged) and 2023 P.S.E. certificate "genuine, o.g., never hinged". Scott value as hinged.

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