Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — Scott 112-122 Used-PSE Set Registry #1 All-Time Finest Set
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unobtrusive strike of quartered cork cancel leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
In his book on the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Jonathan Rose notes that essays were made for both the Type I and II designs prior to the time the stamps were issued. The stamps were put on the press twice — first for the vignette and then for the frame. The challenge for the plate printer was to properly align the vignette when printing the frame. The addition of surrounding lines in the Type II design made any misalignment less noticeable.
Ex Lehman and Merlin. With 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (offered in our Kirke sale).
