12c Black (69). Original gum, lightly hinged, selvage at top, intense shade and impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE.

Knowledgeable collectors recognize and appreciate the great rarity of well-centered, original gum classics. In particular, the 1861-66 Issue has been "discovered" as one of the most challenging of all. As escalating auction realizations show, collectors ignore Scott values in pursuing these elusive examples. This stamp was acquired in our December 2002 auction for $8,000 hammer.

Ex Floyd. Small red backstamp not mentioned on any certificate. With 1991 P.F. certificate and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,750.00). Although we think this stamp deserves to be graded XF-Superb 95, it is still the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E., and one of only four to achieve this grade. One other with the same grade, but not centered as precisely, realized $5,500 hammer in our sale of the Scarsdale collection.

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