Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue - Complete Set Without Grills (Scott 112b-122a)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
156
24c Green & Violet, Without Grill (120a). Original gum, few tiny disturbances, well-centered with wide margins all around, the most intense colors and impressions we have ever encountered in a 24c 1869, long full perforations, bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY 22 EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 WITHOUT GRILL ARE KNOWN TO US -- THIS IS AMONG THE THREE FINEST STAMPS EXTANT.
Our survey of auction catalogues and Philatelic Foundation records produced 22 examples of the 24c 1869 without grill. Approximately half of the known copies have faults. Only three are Extremely Fine and sound with original gum.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
13,500
47,500