| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Lot 2001 |
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1852, 1¢ blue, type IV (9), recut once at top and twice at bottom, very large, perfectly balanced margins, gorgeous deep color, especially for a plate 1 late stamp, full original gum, Extremely Fine. SMQ $6,000.
Scott $800
A SUPERB MINT EXAMPLE OF THE 1¢ IV IMPERF, WITH A SCARCER RECUTTING VARIETY, ONLY TWO OTHERS SHARE THIS NUMERIC GRADE, ONE IS A "J", AND NONE ARE GRADED HIGHER.
Expertization: 2010 PSE Certificate graded 98.
To no one's surprise, 19th century U.S. imperforate classic issues in superb, original gum condition are extraordinary rarities. In point of fact, the PSE has only issued twelve o.g certificates., graded 98 or higher, for all of these stamps combined, i.e., Scott #1-2 and #5-17. It is a rare opportunity indeed, to add a superb mint classic to a high grade collection.
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Lot 2002 |
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o
1852, 1¢ blue, type IV (9), recut once at top and once at bottom, an extraordinary used single, with portion of adjacent stamps on all four sides, gorgeous deep color on bright crisp paper, delicately cancelled by light blue c.d.s.s, Superb. SMQ $1,500 for a a normal 98.
Scott $135
Expertization: 2007 PSE Certificate graded Superb 98J.
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Lot 2003 |
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1852, 3¢ dull red, type I (11), a choice horizontal pair with huge margins all around, showing bits of eight of the ten surrounding stamps, strong color and full original gum; an absolutely Superb pair.
Scott $650
A STUNNING AND SUPERB PAIR OF THE 3¢ TYPE I IMPERFORATE.
Expertization: 1997 PF Certificate for a block of four.
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Lot 2004 |
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1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa, plate 11 (22 var.), relief "B", wide break at top, complete line at bottom, fresh and virtually perfectly centered with deep color and full original gum; a choice, Extremely Fine gem. SMQ $6,000 for a plate 4 example.
Scott $2,750
AN OUTSTANDING MINT EXAMPLE OF THE 1¢ PERFORATED TYPE IIIA, WITH ONLY TWO EXAMPLES GRADED HIGHER (BOTH 95'S).
Expertization: 2002 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, neither noting the plate, the latter graded XF 90.
Due to the very tight spacing on the plate of the 1¢ 1857-1861 issue, it is an exceedingly rare occurrence to encounter a choice, fresh mint single such as this example with the perforations essentially clearing the design all around.
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Lot 2005 |
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1860, 5¢ brown, type II (30A), with sheet margin imprint captured in oversize right margin, impressively centered with deep, dark color on bright, fresh paper, original gum, Extremely Fine and choice. SMQ $5,350.
Scott $2,200
ONE OF ONLY THREE TO BE AWARDED AN XF 90 BY PSE, WITH JUST TWO GRADED HIGHER; HOWEVER, THE CAPTURED IMPRINT MAKES THIS EXAMPLE COMPLETELY UNIQUE IN THIS EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION.
Expertization: 1996 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF 90.
"Captured" imprints are an interesting and eye-catching variety that allows one to recognize at a glance the position on the sheet from which the stamp originated. Almost by definition, the shift in centering that allows the capture to take place, normally results in a very off centered stamp. This example may well be unique with its wonderful centering.
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Lot 2006 |
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1857-60 (1875 Reprint), 1¢ bright blue (40), perfectly centered within huge, balanced margins, stunning fresh color on white paper, Superb. SMQ $6,000 for a a normal 98.
Scott $600
A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE 1¢ REPRINT, BEING THE HIGHEST GRADED TO DATE BY THE PSE AND THE ONLY ONE AT THIS LOFTY GRADE.
Expertization: 1995 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded Superb 98J.
Provenance: Whitman
The PSE certificate for the stamp was accompanied by a note from former chief grader Bill Litle stating in part "I'll bet this is the best in existence". We concur.
The margins and the centering of this 1¢ Reprint are simply unheard of on any examples of any of the values in the set. Not only is this the highest graded to date by the PSE, it is also the only stamp of the set to be awarded a 98 or a 98J. For more on this issue, see the note following the 90¢ value of the set in lot 2008.
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Lot 2007 |
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1857-60 (1875 Reprint), 3¢ scarlet (41), near perfect centering, with incredibly wide margins at top and bottom, prooflike color and impression on snow white paper, Extremely Fine.
Scott $3,000
A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT 3¢ REPRINT.
Expertization: 1994 PF Certificate.
Many early United States stamps can be categorized as challenging to find in choice condition. Then there is the 3¢ Reprint. Few other stamps can rival this denomination for sheer difficulty in finding examples with perforations that are basically clear on all sides, let alone perforations well clear all around.
This 3¢ is highly reminiscent of the 1857 perforated Type Ia, Scott #19, where, with the exception of one amazing row of wide spacing at top and bottom of one sheet, virtually all other rows are touching or cutting. We have rarely seen other examples of the 3¢ Reprint with this wide spacing which makes this a rare opportunity indeed to obtain a beautifully centered "jumbo".
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Lot 2008 |
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1857-60 (1875 Reprint), 90¢ deep blue (47), virtually perfectly centered for this notoriously difficult stamp, exceptionally fresh deep color and a razor sharp impression, Extremely Fine. SMQ $11,000.
Scott $4,500
AN EXQUISITE AND SIMPLY SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE HIGH VALUE, BEING THE HIGHEST GRADED TO DATE BY THE PSE, A DISTINCTION IT SHARES WITH ONLY ONE OTHER.
Expertization: 2001 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF-Sup 95.
The 1875 Reprints of the 1857-60 issue have a terrible reputation for quality, and deservedly so. While freshness is not often a problem, perforations and centering are an entirely different matter.
A large percentage of these stamps were scissor separated, resulting in severely blunted perforations. When we finally come across one with intact perforations, invariably, the centering is dreadful. Pursuing this point, some research revealed that other than the 1¢, the PSE has given the grade of 95 to only six examples total for the other seven denominations combined. There are no 100s and only one 98- the 1¢, 98J listed above. After 40 years as a philatelic auctioneer, after handling numerous 90¢ Reprints, the example we offer here is an absolute joy to behold.
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Lot 2009 |
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o
1861, 5¢ buff (67), virtually perfectly centered with vibrant color, neatly struck small blue grid cancel and bit of red transit c.d.s., fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ $2,500.
Scott $1,200
A MARVELOUS COMBINATION OF OUTSTANDING CENTERING WITH NO PERFORATIONS IMPINGING ON ANY PART OF THE DESIGN, CHOICE COLOR AND IMPRESSION AND LIGHT CANCELS IN TWO COLORS GIVE THE STAMP EXCEPTIONAL EYE APPEAL.
Expertization: 2003 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF 90.
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Lot 2010 |
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o
1867, 3¢ rose, C. grill (83), well centered with marvelous color and a lightly struck fancy "bluebird" cancel of Rockford Ill., with matching c.d.s., fresh and Very Fine. An outstanding 3¢ C. grill.
Scott $1,250
THE EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH COLOR AND LIGHT BLUE CANCEL COMBINE TO GIVE THIS STAMP ITS LOVELY APPEAL.
Expertization: 2002 PF Certificate.
The Colored cancels on the 3¢ C. grill are actually quite rare. The overwhelming majority are cancelled in black, and typically fairly heavily at that. On a stamp such as this, a grade- were it to even have one- would not be able to convey its essence. In our opinion, one rarely encounters such an attractive 3¢ rose, C. grill.
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Lot 2011 |
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o
1867, 1¢ blue, E. grill (86), amazing centering within large margins for a 1¢ E grill, bright blue color on fresh paper, neatly struck straight line "Paid" cancel, Extremely Fine. SMQ $15,400.
Scott $550
A STRIKING USED EXAMPLE OF A STAMP RARELY FOUND IN PREMIUM CONDITION, LET ALONE THIS SUPERB GRADE, BEING THE HIGHEST GRADED, MINT OR USED, TO DATE BY THE PSE WITH ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE AT THIS GRADE.
Expertization: 1986 & 2003 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded Superb 98.
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Lot 2012 |
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1867, 5¢ brown, F. grill (95), beautifully centered for this rare mint stamp with the perforations clear of the design all around, beautiful rich color, a fine impression and most notably, remarkably fresh never hinged original gum, Extremely Fine.
Scott $3,750 for hinged
A CHOICE AND INCREDIBLY RARE MINT NEVER HINGED SINGLE THAT IS ALSO WELL CENTERED.
Expertization: 1988, 1990 & 2006 PF Certificates.
While on rare occasions, a never hinged single becomes available, invariably the centering is barely fine, if that. The PSE has not graded a never hinged example, and the PF, in the last 10 years, has certified 4 never hinged singles, but all of these had the perforations into the design on at least one side. We cannot recall any examples that begin to rival the present stamp.
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Lot 2013 |
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1867, 12¢ black, F. grill (97), beautifully centered and remarkably fresh with a razor-sharp impression and full original gum, Extremely Fine and choice. SMQ $9,200.
Scott $3,250
AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH AND LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE MINT F. GRILL, WITH ONLY THREE GRADED HIGHER BY THE PSE (ALL 95'S).
Expertization: 1987 & 2002 PF Certificates and 2002 & 2008 PSE Certificates, the last two graded XF 90.
Though this is not the highest graded mint single, we believe it is a candidate for the most beautiful.
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Lot 2014 |
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1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 2¢ black (103), virtually perfect centering within unusually wide balanced margins, dark color with a prooflike impression bringing out every intricate detail, lighly hinged original gum, Extremely Fine. SMQ $13,600.
Scott $4,250
AN EYE-ARRESTING, WIDE MARGIN GEM, BEING THE HIGHEST PSE GRADED TO DATE, A DISTINCTION IT SHARES WITH ONLY FIVE OTHERS.
Expertization: 2007 PSE Certificate graded XF-Sup 95.
While the 2¢ Black Jack Re-issue is not as poorly centered overall as are the regularly issued versions, it is still an exceedingly rare item to come upon in the stellar condition of this example. The last time we handled one of this calibre was in our Exhibition Collection sale of Michael D. Rubin in Spring, 2000, when it was the featured item on the catalogue cover. Over the last decade we have seen one, at most maybe two, worthy of this grade.
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Lot 2015 |
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1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 3¢ brown red (104), unusually well centered for the 3c value, gorgeous color on fresh paper, impression so deeply etched, the design seems to have dimension, full fresh original gum that has been relatively lightly hinged, Extremely Fine.
Scott $4,750
AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS VERY DIFFICULT 3¢ RE-ISSUE.
Expertization: 1972 & 2005 PF Certificates.
Other than the notoriously difficult 24¢ and 30¢ values, the 3¢, in our experience, is the most difficult to find truly well centered. When one adds the exceptionally fresh color and the presence of full original gum, the example offered here must be considered one of the very finest extant.
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Lot 2016 |
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1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 5¢ brown (105), outstanding centering within large margins for the 5¢, stunning color and a prooflike impression that shows off the wonderfully intricate design, full fresh lightly hinged original gum, Extremely Fine. SMQ $11,700.
Scott $3,250
AN EXQUISITE 5¢ RE-ISSUE WITH MAGNIFICENT COLOR AND OUTSTANDING CENTERING AS WELL, THE HIGHEST NUMERICAL GRADE AWARDED BY THE PSE TO DATE (THERE IS ONE 95J).
Expertization: 2004 PF and 2005 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF-Sup 95.
Our comments about the 3¢ Re-issue in the preceding lot notwithstanding, there are no easy values in this set. We simply cannot recall a finer example than the present mint single offered here.
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Lot 2017 |
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1875 Re-issue of 1861-67 issue, 24¢ deep violet (109), exceptional centering, especially for the 24¢, lovely color, full fresh lightly hinged original gum, Extremely Fine. SMQ $21,200.
Scott $6,500
AN EXTRAORDINARY MINT SINGLE IN THE HIGHEST QUALITY OBTAINABLE, BEING THE HIGHEST GRADED BY THE PSE TO DATE WITH ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE SHARING THIS DISTINCTION.
Expertization: PSE Certificate encapsulated graded XF-Sup 95.
The 24¢ in this choice grade is one of the major stumbling blocks for a collector assembling a top quality set. Only the 30¢ comes with narrower margins.
In our forty years in philately, we have only seen a tiny handful of well centered singles and this example, unquestionably, is the finest of any of them.
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Lot 2018 |
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1869, 2¢ brown (113), centered with near mathematical precision amid perfectly balanced margins, deep, rich color on bright white paper with impeccably fresh, never hinged original gum with just a spot of offset from another 2¢ (of no import and mentioned only for accuracy), a choice, Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $675 for never hinged
AN EXQUISITELY FRESH AND PERFECTLY CENTERED MINT SINGLE, QUITE POSSIBLY WITHOUT EQUAL.
Expertization: 1996 PF Certificate.
Again, we pored over dozens and dozens of auction catalogues without ever encountering a never hinged single that could begin to rival the present 2¢brown for freshness, color and centering.
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Lot 2019 |
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1869 (1875 Re-issue), 2¢ brown (124), essentially perfect centering, deep color, excellent impression, full fresh original gum that has only been lightly hinged, Extremely Fine. SMQ $2,650.
Scott $700
WITH ITS EXCEPTIONAL FRESHNESS AND OUTSTANDING CENTERING, THIS WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE UPON WHICH IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE; THE HIGHEST GRADED TO DATE BY THE PSE, WITH ONLY FOUR OTHERS AT THIS GRADE.
Expertization: 1998 PF and 2008 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF-Sup 95.
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