Lot 25 o 1851, 1¢ blue, type Ia (6), position 94R4, large to huge margins all around, showing the type characteristics beautifully luxurious plate 4 color and a strongly etched impression blue town cancel Extremely Fine a gem used example of this rare type. Scott $10,100 Expertization: 2003 P.F. Certificate. The 1¢ imperforate Type Ia stamps are among the most desirable and rare of 19th century classics. The desirability stems, perhaps, from the fact that it is the only type, with the exception of the famous 7R1E, to have the complete design at the bottom. The Type 1a was produced from a mere eighteen out of the 1,000 positions used to print the imperforate 1¢ stamps. These eighteen positions were located on Plate IV, a plate that had a very brief life span. Furthermore, most of the surviving examples are not in the best of condition. In fact, a survey revealed that out of the existing population, there are less than ten stamps that are both sound and with margins that can compare to the example offered here. And of these, all but two or three had a cancel that obscured part of the important characteristics. The combination of qualities enjoyed by this example place it among the very finest quality used singles extant.

Realized $26,400

Lot 233 1875 Special Printing, 30¢ greenish black (176), well centered, intense color and prooflike impression, scissor-cut but completely intact perforations without gum as issued fresh and Extremely Fine. Scott $12,000 A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE SPECIAL PRINTING WHICH IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 40 SAID TO EXIST. Expertization: 1992 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $22,000

Lot 228 1875 Special Printing, 6¢ dull rose (170), well centered with unusually wide margins and intact uncut perforations, rich warm color and sharp prooflike impression without gum as issued fresh and choice Very Fine about 35-40 said to exist. Scott $14,500 AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE SPECIAL PRINTING WITH THE COLOR, OVERALL FRESHNESS AND FULL PERFORATIONS BEING PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY. Expertization: 1991 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $17,600

Lot 231 1875 Special Printing, 15¢ brown orange (174), bright color with some perforations visible on all sides without gum as issued fresh and Extremely Fine approximately 40 said to exist. Scott $14,500 AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH AND RICHLY COLORED 15¢ HARD PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING. Expertization: 1987 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $14,850

Lot 230 1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), nearly perfectly centered, intense color and clear impression with intact uncut perforations without gum as issued Extremely Fine and choice. Scott $5,000 WELL CENTERED EXAMPLES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SCISSOR-CUT ARE VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT. Expertization: 1986 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $13,750

Lot 386 1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (360), warm, rich color and sharp impression o.g., lightly hinged Fine. Scott $24,000 AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH AND PRISTINE EXAMPLE OF THIS KEY BLUISH PAPER VALUE OF WHICH ONLY 90 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST, VERY FEW OF THESE REMAIN SOUND AND THIS WELL PRESERVED. Expertization: 1991 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $13,475

Lot 258 1880 Special Printing, 12¢ blackish purple (198), very well centered, intense color and prooflike impression without gum as issued fresh and Extremely Fine. Scott $8,000 UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. Expertization: 1983 & 1992 P.F. Certificates.

Realized $13,200

Lot 327 1894, $5 dark green (263), large, perfectly balanced margins, dark color and deeply etched impression o.g., lightly hinged Extremely Fine and choice. Scott $5,000 WITH MARGINS AND CENTERING RARELY SEEN ON THE DOLLAR-VALUE FIRST BUREAUS, THIS STAMP STANDS OUT AS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY. Expertization: 1996 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $12,650

Lot 168 o 1869, 90¢ carmine & black (122), choice centering within incredibly large margins, radiant color and a beautifully struck fine-lined radial cancel Extremely Fine. Scott $2,300 A SUPERLATIVE STAMP MADE EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL BY THE EXQUISITE CANCEL. Expertization: 1997 P.F. Certificate. We believe this cancel to be a San Francisco foreign mail marking.

Realized $12,100

Lot 442 1918, $2 orange red & black (523), top margin arrow and plate nos. 8179, 8177 block of 6 wonderfully well centered, crisp and intact perforations o.g., very lightly hinged on ungummed portion of the selvage, stamps are never hinged Extremely Fine and choice example of this high value plate block. Scott $12,000

Realized $12,100

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