Sale 283

United States and International Stamps and Postal History


U.S. 19th Century Regular Issues & Commemoratives
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 2025
E
1847, 5¢ & 10¢ Models (1-E1, 2-E1), the original frame design mockups in black. The frames are on thin card, hand-drawn in pencil and black ink with a light black India wash. The vignettes are original Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson currency engravings that have been removed and mounted on thin card to showcase the essays. Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 100,000 - 150,000

THE MAGNIFICIENT SET OF THE FIRST ESSAYS FOR OUR VERY FIRST POSTAGE STAMPS

THESE NOW WELL DOCUMENTED ESSAYS ARE INDISPENSIBLE IN TELLING THE FIRST PART OF THE 1847 ISSUE.

Provenance: Major (head of engraving and purported modeler of these essays), Brazer, Dick, Pope, Bierman

The original submittal letter by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, dated March 20, 1847 [which is not present but is reproduced here through the courtesy of the National Postal Museum] reads in part, "We beg to submit for your approval, the enclosed designs, which we have prepared for the new stamps for the Post Office Department. In accordance with your suggestion, we have substituted the head of Franklin for that of Genl. Jackson, which Mr. Rawdon was requested to use by the Post Master General…These designs, being mere sketches in India ink and pencil, do not of course appear as perfect as they will when engraved." These essays are discussed in a lengthy article published in the 1997 Congress Book, entitled "Updating the U.S. 1847’s on the 150th anniversary: Beginning, Production, Ending," by the highly respected postal historian, George W. Brett.

These essays were on display in the Court of Honor at Pacific '97.

View details and enlarged photos
Lot 2026
o
1847, 5¢ red brown, type "C" double tranfer (1 var.), prominent stitch watermark, incredibly intense color from an early printing, enormous margins and a centered red grid cancel. A remarkable and truly Superb gem.
Scott $3,000

SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST 5¢ 1847S IN EXISTENCE; THE BREATHTAKING COLOR AND PROOFLIKE IMPRESSION OF THE EARLY 1847 PRINT PROVIDE REMARKABLE CLARITY TO THE DOUBLE TRANSFER; AND THE STITCH WATERMARK, WHICH CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN ALONG THE BOTTOM MARGIN, IS THE STRONGEST WE HAVE SEEN.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2027

1847, 5¢ red brown (1), block of four. Wide margins on three sides, strong color and full original gum with hinge and light paper remnants. Vertical gum creases, one of which ends in a tiny sealed tear at the top of the right stamp, thin spots (mostly small) affecting all four stamps. Nonetheless, a fresh, Fine appearing block.
Scott $40,000

A RARE BLOCK, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2028

1851, 1¢ blue, type I (5), position 7R1E, ample to large margins all around except barely in at lower right, tied by "Pittsburgh, Pa. Aug 13" c.d.s. on printed 1852 circular to Harrisonville, Ohio, trivial tiny pre-use margin tear, totally invisible to the naked eye and not mentioned in accompanying P.F Certificate, fresh and Extremely Fine.
Scott $55,000

ONE OF THE FINEST MARGINED OF ALL 7R1ES AND ONE OF THE TWO FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED COVERS WITH SINGLE USAGES.

Expertization: plated and signed by P. Ward, clear 1995 P.F. Certificate.

The overall size of the original 1¢ design was slightly too large to fit 200 subjects onto one plate. Therefore, each position had to have some amount of the design erased (these erasures accounted for the majority of the types). One position, however, was not subjected to any erasure whatsoever, that being the 7th stamp in the top row of the right pane of plate 1 in its early state—7R1E. Of the 1,000 positions on the five plates utilized for the production of the 1¢ imperforate, this is the only position that shows the complete design. Hence its great rarity—only 90 examples are recorded in the Wagshall census, this being item 5-COV-071—and given that there is not one sound four margin single, this example is one of the finest of all the imperforate type Is.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2029
o
1851, 1¢ blue, type Ib (5A), position 4R1E, full margins all around with bright early plate 1 color and a neat grid cancel. Fresh and Extremely Fine.
Scott $7,000

A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE TYPE.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2030

1851, 1¢ blue, type Ib (5A), the third stamp with two type II (7) in an upper left corner margin horizontal strip of three (position 1-3) from the right pane of plate 1E, bright and fresh with large margins all around including oversized sheet margins, tied by red grid cancels on a small cover to Kingston, N.Y., postmarked light matching Newburgh, N.Y., July 4 (1851) c.d.s., Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate 20,000 - 25,000

A TRULY FABULOUS USAGE ON ONLY THE FOURTH DAY AFTER ISSUE.

Provenance: Mason, Newbury, Grunin, Ishikawa

This cover was described thusly by Ashbrook in writing about the Newbury collection: "This little gem is ex-Mason collection, an item long prized by its former owner".

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2031
()
1851-52, 1¢ blue, types II, IV (7, 9), horizontal pair from positions 4-5 of the right pane of plate 1 late, unused, enormous margins on three sides including full sheet margin at top and parts of adjacent stamps at right and bottom, barely touching upper ornament at left, small scissor cut between stamps at bottom. Faint horizontal crease. Otherwise Extremely Fine.
Scott $3,900

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE COMBINATION PAIR, POSITION 4R BEING THE ONLY ONE OF THE 200 POSITIONS ON THE LATE STATE OF PLATE 1 THAT WAS NOT RECUT.

Expertization: plated and signed by Ashbrook, clear 1967 P.F. Certificate.

In order to extend the life of plate one, a decision was made at Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co., the printer contracted to print the 1851 issue, to strengthened the top and/or bottom framelines. 199 of the 200 positions were recut with position 4 being the only position not recut.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2032
o
1851, 1¢ blue, type III (8), the third stamp in a horizontal strip of three (position 97-99) with two type II (7) from the right pane of plate 2, margins just in to oversized with partial sheet margin at bottom, deep color on bright, crisp paper and light New York town cancels. Fresh and nearly Very Fine.
Scott $6,500 ++

A HANDSOME MULTIPLE CONTAINING THE RARE 99R2.

Expertization: plated and signed by Ashbrook.

Provenance: Ishikawa

Position 99R is the only type III found on plate 2 and is considered the best example of the type. All other type IIis come from plate 4 and none have the wide break at the bottom exhibited by position 99R2.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2033
o
3¢ orange brown, part India paper (10 var), position 77L1E, four margins, intense color nicely contrasted by blue manuscript "X" cancel, Very Fine and rare.
Scott $1,100

FOUR MARGIN EXAMPLES OF THIS SCARCE VARIETY ARE RARE INDEED.

Provenance: Amonette
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2034
o/
3¢ orange brown, dull red shades (10, 11), color chart containing twelve No. 10 singles plus one cover, and sixty-five No. 11 singles hinged on acid free 4" x 6" cards, arranged by year, many better including different shades of the 1851 Experimental Orange Brown, Copperish on cover, Reddish, Yellowish, Carmines, several different Clarets, and one Plum, Fine to Very Fine with many four margined examples, a scarce group, signed "W.F. Amonette 8-1-04".
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000

Provenance: Amonette
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2035
o
1856, 3¢ pink (11 var), bright color, position 93R4, large margins including sheet margin at bottom and portion of adjoining stamp at top, cancelled by partial strike of a New York Apr 7 c.d.s., Extremely Fine.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000

CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE EXCEEDLY RARE 1856 "PINK" SHADE THAT MATCHES EXACTLY TO DR. CHASES' MASTER COLOR CHART.

Provenance: Amonette

This stamp appears to be from the same plate, R4, as Dr. Chase's stamp used in his master color chart. The stamps were both used from New York City 17 days apart, surely in 1856.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2036

1857, 3¢ deep purplish claret (11 var), deep 1857 shade with detailed impression, large margins including portion of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, tied by "Manchester, N.H. Jun 15, 1857" c.d.s. on an immaculate cover to Lunenburg, Mass., Extremely Fine gem.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

A RARE UNLISTED SHADE THAT IS EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL AS WELL.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2037

1851, 12¢ black (17), block of four, large margins with portion of adjoining stamps at bottom, slightly in at top right, tied by "Chicago, Ills May 13" c.d.s. on 1856 orange cover to U.S. Ship Constellation, care of the U.S. Consul in Spezzia, Sardinia, manuscript "by mail steamer to Liverpool, England", red "New-York Am. Pkt. May 17" credit backstamp, red boxed "Aachen 3 6 / Franco", maroon "Via Disvizzera" routing handstamp with matching "P.D." and "Franca", Genova Jun 8, 1856 transit backstamp, magenta manuscript "15" credit rating crossed out and rerated in blue, photocopy of original enclosure retained by the family; few opening tears at top, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE OR SIX RECORDED BLOCKS ON COVER.

The block of four overpays the 38¢ Prussian closed mail rate to Sardinia by 10¢. The sender most likely prepaid the the French Mail 42¢ double rate, as this was the highest possible rate and provided the quickest transit time. Two other covers from the Graham correspondence were single rate letters using pairs that prepaid the 21¢ French mail rate.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2038
o
1857, 1¢ blue, type III (21), perfectly centered with perforations clear of the design all around, deep color on contrasting bright paper and a red New York carrier c.d.s. A choice Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $2,650

WITH ITS COMBINATION OF EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING, BRILLIANT, RICH COLOR AND COMPLEMENTARY RED CANCEL, THIS 1¢ TYPE III IS AMONG THE FINEST AND MOST EYE-APPEALING EXAMPLES EXTANT.

Expertization: 2003 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2039
/o
1857 1¢ blue, types V and Va (24), An old time mounted collection consisting of well over 800 stamps, assembled probably 40 to 60 years ago, much of it plated, some partly written up. Begins with a page using stamps to illustrate the various reliefs followed by about 300 examples from the scarce plate 5, including a dozen or more top row positions and perhaps 75 from the so-called plate 6, most of which are type Va (now recognized to have come from plate 5). Included among the many multiples is an unused part sheet of 87 from plate 9 with plate number block (part of selvage missing). Naturally, there are numerous plate varieties, imprints, cancels (including a strip of three from plate 8 with bright green cancels), etc. Condition was generally not a factor for plating and is therefore quite mixed but there are plenty of gemanuscript scattered throughout. Also included are 13 1¢ type II including one unused and three pairs. A fine beginning to this very challenging and rewarding specialty.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2040

1857, 3¢ dull red, type II (26), tied on cover by large brown "Otter" fancy cancel to Arnoldton, Virginia, matching "Lisbon, Va Feb" c.d.s. with manuscript "24" date; couple perforation faults at top, Fine, a previously unattributed cancellation and a spectacular rarity in brown.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES ON COVER.

The identification of the cancel as an otter was made by an astute philatelist when he discovered that the area in Bedford County, Virginia where the Lisbon post office was located, is also refered to as "Peaks of Otter".

The only other recorded cover with the Lisbon "otter" cancellation is a February 1861 inbound usage to Lisbon on a star die entire.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2041

1857, 3¢ dull red, type II (26), block of 50 and block of 5 cancelled by multiple strikes of "PAID" straightline cancels and "Lake Charles La May 6" cds, on 1860 full cover to Tinteniac, France, manuscript "Paid $1.95" ($1.65 paid by stamps, $0.30 in cash), red "New York Paid May 17" datestamp, Le Havre 2 Jun 1860 and Paris 3 Jun 1860 transits; cover opened along address for display, faults typical of a multiple of this size, Fine, a breathtaking usage at 13 times the 15¢ rate to France.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

THE LARGEST RECORDED USED MULTIPLE, ON OR OFF COVER.

Provenance: Warm
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2042

1857, 3¢ dull red, type II (26), grid cancelled and tied on a Civil War patriotic by rim of c.d.s., postmarked "Harrisburg, Pa. Oct 16, 1861" to Mountville, Pa., clearly struck straightline "OLD STAMPS NOT RECOGNIZED" with corresponding oval boxed "DUE 3"; minor cover edge repairs, stamp with couple minor faults, still Very Fine appearance.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500

THE FINEST OF THE THREE RECORDED HARRISBURG, PA EXAMPLES, THIS BEING THE ONLY EXAMPLE ON A PATRIOTIC.

Expertization: 1980 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Grunin, Piller

Only Harrisburg, Pa., Chicago, Ill., and Philadelphia, Pa. used an "Old Stamps Not Recognized" handstamp. Harrisburg has the fewest recorded examples compared to Chicago and Philadelphia. Most post offices simply used manuscript to notate the use of demonetized stamp issues with additional due markings.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2043

1857, 3¢ dull red, type II (26), tied by "Clarksville Ten. Apr 24, 1861" c.d.s. on red and blue 7-star Confederate flag patriotic cover to the editor of the Quincy Whig newspaper in Quincy, Ill., with original enclosure datelined "Steamer Runyon, Paducah Apl. 23" from a secessionist who writes "Hurrah for the Southern Confederacy. Send on your swarms of nigger-stealers. We will soon be ready to bury them like hogs. This is for your private pipe.", sender also added a listing of seven state abbreviations below the flag as expected states to secede, "N.C., Mo., Ky., Va., Md., Ark., Tenn. & c.", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000

EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE PATRIOTIC USAGE VIVIDLY SHOWING THE SENTIMENT IN THE SOUTH.

Expertization: 2002 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Macbride and Sevenoaks

The letter was written on board a steamer at Paducah, Kentucky headed South, and posted at Clarksville, Tennessee.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2044
o
1858, 5¢ brick red, type I (27), perfectly centered with perforations clear of the design all around, rich color and neat, face-free small grid cancel. A choice Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $1,500

A TRUE CONDITION RARITY WITH PERFORATIONS NOT JUST CLEAR AT TOP AND BOTTOM, BUT WELL CLEAR.

Expertization: 2003 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2045

1857, 5¢ red brown, type I (28), block of sixteen tied by several strikes of "Richmond Va. May 4" cds on cover front to Paris, France, red "New York May 18 Paid 48" credit datestamp, 31 May 58 French transit, red boxed "P.D."; cover faults, stamps with faults typical of such a large multiple, a Fine and spectacular usage.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2046

1860, 24¢ gray lilac (37), block of four. Remarkably well centered with perforations clear of design on all four stamps. Full original gum with hinge remnants. Fresh and choice Very Fine. An exceptional block.
Scott $9,000

Expertization: 1992 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2047

1860, 30¢ orange (38), vertical pair, exceedingly well centered, tied by red grids and red "New York 48 Apr 24" credit datestamp on 1861 blue folded cover from the Payen correspondence to Lyon, France, red boxed "P.D.", "C. Payen & Co., New York" merchant handstamp, Paris and Lyon backstamps, manuscript "Steamship Persia" in upper right.
Estimate 15,000 - 20,000

EXTREMELY FINE GEM AND ONE OF THE FINEST USAGES OF THE 30¢ 1860 ISSUE EXTANT.

Provenance: Caspary, Grunin, Zoellner

The 30¢ pair pays four-times the 15¢ rate to France. The cover left New York on the
Persia of the Cunard Line on April 25, 1861 and arrived into Queenstown on May 4.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2048

1860, 90¢ blue (39), fresh example, used in combination with 30¢ orange (38) and 12¢ black (36b) on 1861 cover to Mackellop, Stewart, & Co. in Calcutta, India, all with matching bright red grid New York foreign mail cancels, red "New York AM. Pkt. Jan 26" origin datestamp, red "London FE 8 '61" transit backstamp, manuscript "2/11" (two shillings, eleven pence) due rating and partial strike of "Calcutta Steam Letter Mar 16" boxed backstamp with "1/8/9" due rating (one rupee, eight annas, nine pies) as restatement of due rate, endorsed by sender "P Overland Mail / via Marseilles", red-orange "E. Paterstedt & Co. New York" merchant handstamp on reverse, no flap, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 300,000 - 400,000

WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE TWO FINEST 90¢ 1860 COVERS. THE FIRST TIME THIS CELEBRATED COVER IS BEING OFFERED AT PUBLIC AUCTION.

Expertization: 1998 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Armitage, Lapham

The Armitage cover was franked with $1.32 in postage that correctly prepaid the British Mail rate to India via Southampton for letters between 1 oz. and 1¼ oz. However, the sender endorsed it to go via Marseilles, which required $1.62 in postage for prepayment of a letter between 1 oz. and 1¼ oz. As a result of the underpayment, all but the transatlantic postage would have been ignored and it was treated as paid only to England. The British rate to India was 3 shillings, 8 pence, less a 4 pence reduction for quadruple rate colonial servicing, leaving 2/11 total due. The Indian post office collected the equivalent amount being one rupee, eight annas, and nine pies from the recipient.

This cover entered the mails in New York City leaving on the Inman line's
Edinburgh and arriving at Liverpool on February 7th and at London the following day. The letter then transitted France in a British closed mail bag leaving Marseilles February 13th on the Feetis, arriving into Alexandria on February 19th. The P & O steamer Nemesis left Suez on the February 21st, reaching Galle, Ceylon on March 9th with final arrival into Calcutta, India on March 16th, 1861.

The cover was first sold privately in 1920 by Sefi, Pemberton, & Co. to George Armitage. In 1930, The Armitage collection was purchased by famed English dealer, Frank Godden and placed intact to Henry Lapham. The dispersal of the Lapham collection was quietly handled by John Boker who asked Boston dealer W.C. Colson to handle the Armitage cover. In the 1950's Stanley Ashbrook challenged the authenticity of the cover based on an inadequate understanding of the rates involved. Since that time additional information has become available that confirms the rate analysis given above.

There are five recorded 90¢ 1860 usages abroad:
1. Sep 11, 1860, single franking paying double the 45¢ rate to Augustine, Heard, & Co. in Shanghai, China, stamp with sealed tears; ex-Gibson, Hindes, Kapiloff.
2. Nov 3, 1860, single with 5¢ and 10¢ paying five-times the 21¢ rate to a commercial firm in Barcelona, Spain; ex-Caspary, Rust, Kapiloff.
3. Nov 9, 1860, single with 3¢ 5¢ 10¢ and 30¢ pair paying the $1.68 rate to Augustine, Heard, & Co. in Shanghai, China, 90¢ reperfed on all sides; ex-Needham, Paliafito, Ishikawa, Myers.
4. Jan 26, 1861, single with 12¢ and 30¢ shortpaying the four-times $1.62 rate via Marseilles to Mackellop, Stewart, & Co. in Calcutta, India; ex-Armitage, Lapham, Dick. (the cover offered here)
5. Jul 16, 1861, single with 1¢ pair, 3¢ 10¢ and 30¢ paying four-times the 33¢ rate to Edwin Howland in Cape of Good Hope, filing crease through 90¢; ex-Jacobs, Emerson, Newbury, Ishikawa.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2049

1861, 3¢ rose (65), bottom margin imprint and plate "No. 37" block of ten, well centered with full, barely hinged original gum having natural gum skips along the bottom of the bottom row, fresh and crisp with bright color. A choice Very Fine plate block.
Scott $4,550

Expertization: 1972 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Ishikawa
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2050

1861, 3¢ rose (65), tied on yellow cover by bold strike of blue Masonic seeing eye fancy cancel to Dillsburg, Penn., matching "Washington, Ind. Oct 17" c.d.s. also tying stamp; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000

FABULOUS STRIKE OF A SPECTACULAR FANCY CANCEL.

Expertization: 2000 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2051

1861, 12¢ black and 3¢ rose (69, 65), tied by Boston circular "paid" grid cancel on a beautiful purple "The Capitol at Washington" Magnus patriotic envelope to Nuremburg, Germany, redirected to Badgastein, Angell correspondence, manuscript "via Hamburg, Per Bavaria", red "N. York Hamb Pkt Paid 10 Jun 28" credit datestamp, blue crayon ratings, Nuremberg and Badgastein backstamps; trivial toning in upper left corner, Very Fine.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000

Provenance: Matthies
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2052

1863, 2¢ black (73), two singles cancelled along with 24¢ lilac (78) by "Buffalo, N.Y. Sep 8" duplexed cork cancels on a mourning cover to Frankfurt, Germany, manuscript "Via Scotia", red "N. York Br Pkt 7 Paid Sep 5" exchange datestamp, blue "Verviers Coeln 18/9/1" three-line backstamp along with Frankfurt arrival backstamp, cover forwarded within Frankfurt with Prussia 1867 1kr green (27) tied by "Frankfurt A/M Bahnhof 17/9" c.d.s., docketing at left.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND STUNNING BLACK JACK USAGE.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2053

1866, 15¢ black (77), beautifully centered within unusually wide balanced margins, fine prooflike impression on bright white paper. Original gum, lightly hinged. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $2,750

A STUNNING MINT EXAMPLE OF THIS KEY LINCOLN ISSUE IN A WONDERFUL STATE OF PRESERVATION.

Expertization: 1983 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2054
o
1867, 3¢ rose, partially erased A. grill (83 var.), exceptionally well centered with wide margins and a neat segmented cork cancel. Fresh and Extremely Fine.
Scott $2,750

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE AND LITTLE KNOWN VARIETY.

Expertization: 1993 P.S.E., 2002 P.F. Certificates.

The "A" grill proved unsatisfactory because the all-over nature of the grill made it virtually impossible to separate stamps without damaging them. By confining the grill to a smaller area the points would not impact the perforations and stamps could be separated cleanly. The grill roller that had been used for the "A" grill was modified by planing off several rows of raised points, both vertically and horizontally, creating individual grills approximately 13 x 16mm. On certain areas of the roller, mostly confined to the right edge of the left pane and the left edge of the right pane, the plane did not cut deeply enough to completely remove the points leaving a "partially erased" grill that is much wider than normal. See Scott's note preceding #83.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2055
o
1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (85C), virtually perfectly centered with unusually strong color and a neat blue segmented cork cancel. A fresh and choice Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $3,500

THE COMBINATION OF OUTSTANDING CENTERING, DISTINCTIVE, UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL AND REMARKABLE OVERALL FRESHNESS IS VIRTUALLY NEVER ENCOUNTERED ON THE RARE 3¢ Z. GRILL

THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE IS ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE FINEST EXTANT.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2056

1867, 1¢ blue, E. grill (86), exceptionally well centered with brilliant color, bright paper and full, barely hinged original gum. A choice Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $3,250

A 1¢ E. GRILL IN THIS CHOICE QUALITY IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.

Expertization: 1990 and 2004 P.F. Certificates.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2057

1867, 5¢ brown, F. grill (95), block of four. Deep color and full original gum which is lightly hinged at the top only. Light diagonal crease affecting the bottom stamps (which are never hinged). Otherwise Fine. A rare and attractive multiple.
Scott $16,000

Expertization: 1973 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2058

1867, 24¢ gray lilac, F. grill (99), right sheet margin block of four. Fresh color and paper and full, lightly hinged original gum. Slight separation in selvage only. Fine for this. A crisp, attractive and rare multiple.
Scott $31,500

Expertization: 1993 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2059
o
1867, 30¢ orange, F. grill (100), block of four, fresh, with clearly impressed grills, lightly cancelled by segmented cork cancels. A bit off-center but inconsequential as all recorded blocks are have perfs cutting in, couple tiny thins in upper right stamp. F.-V.F. appearance.
Scott $9,000

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED USED BLOCKS OF FOUR.

Provenance: Klein

The four recorded used blocks are: 1. Block of four, ex-Twigg-Smith with creases, 2. Block of four, ex-Emerson, 3. Block of four, ex-Ishikawa with numerous faults and rejoined perfs, 4. Block of four, Siegel Sale 806 with creases, 5. Block of four, ex-Klein (the example offered here).

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2060
o
1867, 90¢ blue, F. grill (101), block of four, rich color, each stamp with a strong grill impression, light cancels. Couple tiny creases in upper right stamp, sealed tear in lower right stamp. F.-V.F. appearance.
Scott $21,500

ONE OF ONLY TWO OR THREE RECORDED INTACT USED BLOCKS OF FOUR.

Expertization: 1992 P.F. Certificate.

There are two faulty blocks of four that are rejoined pairs (ex-Klein and ex-Ishikawa), leaving only two or three intact used blocks of the 90¢ F grill.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2061

1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 10¢ green (106), perfectly centered with large balanced margins, particularly intense color and full original gum. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $3,250

A SUPERB MINT EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE RE-ISSUE.

Expertization: 1983, 2002 P.F. Certificates.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2062

1869, 2¢ brown (113), nearly perfectly centered within unusually large and balanced margins, deep rich color and full, lightly hinged original gum. A choice Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $750

Expertization: 2000 P.F. Certificate.

Despite its relatively modest catalogue value, the 2¢ 1869 issue is rarely found with margins this large as well as this beautifully preserved.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2063

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (114), centered with mathematical precision amid wide, perfectly proportioned margins with bright color, white paper and post office fresh, never hinged original gum. A Superb gem.
Scott $350 ++

THOUGH A RELATIVELY COMMON STAMP, THE MINT 3¢ 1869 IS RARELY, IF EVER, ENCOUNTERED IN TRUE GEM QUALITY SUCH AS THIS.

Expertization: 2001, 2004 P.F. Certificates.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2064

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (114), bottom imprint and plate number block of ten. Mostly well centered, crisp and virtually intact perforations, full unblemished o.g. which is never hinged. F.-V.F.
Scott $7,500 as hinged

Provenance: Lafayette
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2065

1869, 6¢ ultramarine (115), virtually perfectly centered with beautifully balanced margins, bright color and full original gum. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $3,100

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFICULT 6¢ 1869.

Expertization: 1986 and 2000 P.F. Certificates.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2066

1869, 6¢ ultramarine (115), block of four. Exceptionally well centered with deep color and full, lightly hinged original gum, some separation, rejoined. Light vertical crease through left stamps. Otherwise fresh and Very Fine. A fresh and attractive block.
Scott $15,500

Expertization: 1978 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Faiman
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2067
o
1869, 10¢ yellow (116), beautifully centered, cancelled by a near-perfectly struck "Steamer Costa Rica P.M.S.S. Co." circular handstamp. Fresh and Extremely Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE MARKING; BY FAR THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN.

Expertization: 1987, 1991, 2002 P.F. Certificates.

Provenance: Saadi

The
Costa Rica belonged to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, which provided service between Shanghai and Nagasaki.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2068

1869, 15¢ brown & blue, type II (119), near perfect centering within uncommonly wide margins, wonderfully fresh with prooflike colors enhanced by brilliant paper and full pristine o.g., never hinged. An Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $4,000 for hinged

THE 15¢ TYPE I IS RARELY SEEN IN NEVER HINGED CONDITION. THIS EXAMPLE, WITH ITS CHOICE MARGINS, CENTERING AND REMARKABLE STATE OF PRESERVATION MERITS A PLACE IN THE FINEST MINT COLLECTION.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2069

1869, 24¢ green & violet, without grill (120a), exceptionally well centered with wide margins, bright color and full original gum with a small hinge remnant. Fresh and choice Very Fine.
Scott $22,500

QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST OF THE FEW SOUND EXAMPLES KNOWN.

Expertization: 1998 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2070
o
1869, 30¢ ultramarine & carmine (121), well centered and neatly cancelled by a red "1d" British rate marking. Fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

A LOVELY AND UNIQUE ITEM FOR THE 1869 SPECIALIST.

Expertization: 2002 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2071

1869, 30¢ ultramarine & carmine, without grill (121a), block of four. Incredibly deep, vibrant color and full original gum with minor hinge remnants. Perfs clear to just in at top of top stamps. Fresh and about Fine.
Scott $50,000

AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXCEEDINGLY RARE MULTIPLE.

Expertization: 2002 P.S.E. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2072
o
1869, 30¢ ultramarine & carmine, flags inverted (121b), well centered with extra "tall" margins (probably from the top or bottom row of the sheet), bright color, neat circle of wedges cancel and partial red transit marking. Fresh and choice Very Fine.
Scott $67,500

ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 37 USED EXAMPLES RECORDED, ONLY A HANDFUL OF WHICH ARE SOUND AND WELL CENTERED.

Expertization: 1978 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Faiman

The 30¢ 1869 with inverted flags is the rarest of all regularly issued United States inverts.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2073

1869 (1880 Re-issue), 1¢ brown orange (133a), reconstruction of a full sheet of 150 comprising a top pane of 70 and bottom pane of 80 with imprint and plate "No. 33", without gum as issued, both panes are fresh and bright, the top pane is Fine to Very Fine, the bottom is Fine with a few slightly compressed rows of perfs and some small faults including a light crease through the 8th vertical row.
Scott $57,760 + (individual components)

A UNIQUE SET OF PANES AND THE ULTIMATE EXHIBITION ITEM FOR THE 1869 SPECIALIST.

For the 1875 reissue of the 1869 series, the National Bank Note Company made a new plate for the 1¢ value, number 33. The plate consisted of 150 subjects made from the old die, 10 stamps across by 15 down. The National plate was used by the American Bank Note Company to print the 1880 reissue on soft porous paper without grill. There were two varieties: the 1¢ buff with gum and the 1¢ brown orange without gum.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 2074
o
1870, 12¢ dull violet, grilled (140), virtually perfectly centered with strong color, light cancel and an unusually well defined grill. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $3,000

AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE 12¢ NATIONAL GRILL, WHICH IS ALMOST NEVER SEEN THIS WELL CENTERED AND LIGHTLY CANCELLED AND WITH A DISTINCT GRILL AS WELL.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo



Page 1 of 2
Previous Previous   1 | 2   Next Next
Go to page