Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-72)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
82
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful brilliant shade and impression on bright paper, a very early printing with fine detail of background and lathework clearly visible, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN YELLOW IS ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION -- IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES EXIST AS SUCH. THIS STAMP -- WITH ITS LIGHTLY-HINGED ORIGINAL GUM AND BRILLIANT COLOR -- IS AMONG THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
As noted, the 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Brown Yellow are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c).
With 1999 P.F. certificate
30,000
18,500
