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
24c Green & Violet (120). Gigantic margins on all four sides, perfectly centered, rich colors, the vignette is an especially dark and fine impression, neatly cancelled by Leaf cancel, long and full perforations
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL — DUE TO THE NARROW SPACING BETWEEN STAMPS AND DIFFICULTY REGISTERING TWO COLORS, THIS STAMP RARELY COMES CENTERED WITHIN WIDE MARGINS. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY BOTH THE P.S.E. AND P.F. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 24c vignette was engraved by James Smillie from John Trumbull’s oil painting Declaration of Independence. There are two versions of this painting; one hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and the other at Yale University. Contrary to the popular belief that this painting depicts the signing ceremony, Trumbull actually painted a romanticized image of the presentation of the Declaration draft. There are 47 individuals portrayed in the painting, and the tiny engraving captures virtually all of them in minute detail. A similar engraving appears on the back of the 1863 First Charter $100 note, and the vignette is also found on 10c 1869 essays.
Ex Zoellner. With 1985, 1998 and 2014 P.F. certificates (last Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo).
