3c Lake (66). Block of
four, original gum, top left and bottom right stamps Mint N.H., others
h.r., rich color, centered to bottom, Very Good, rare block (Image)
3c Scarlet, Imperforate
(74a). Full to huge margins, manuscript "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in
three lines, presumed to be in the hand of James Macdonough, one of the
founders of the National Bank Note Company, tiny nick in bottom margin,
small corner creases not readily apparent on faceVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT SCARLET PRINTING -- ONE OF FOUR RECORDED WITH THE MANUSCRIPT INITIALS AND DATE.
One other imperforate 3c Scarlet with initials and date was offered in our 1999 Rarities sale (lot 97), where it realized $11,000.00 hammer. The other imperforate example was offered in the third Ferrary sale as lot 477. The example offered here was unknown to us until very recently. All four initialled and dated 3c Scarlet items are without gum and are identical in shade. It is possible that they originate from an ungummed and partially perforated sheet or pane containing subjects that were individually initialled and dated by Macdonough. (Image)
90c Blue, Imperforate on
Stamp Paper (72c). Ample to huge margins, unused (no gum), Very Fine (Image)
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Large Die
Proofs on India, Specimen Overprint (63P1 var/78P1 var). Seven, incl.
two 1c, 10c, 12c, 15c, 24c and 90c, each mounted on card from 128 x 177mm
to slightly larger, each with "Specimen" overprint across stamp in either
black, orange or magenta, each with full imprint at bottom, all are fresh
and Very Fine, Scott Retail for normal large die proofs (Image)
1c, 3c, 10c, 12c 1861 Issue,
Large Die Proofs on India (63P1, 65P1, 68P1, 69P1). Each die sunk on
card, from 131 x 185mm to 143 x 214mm, all show full die sinkage and all
are fresh and Extremely Fine (Image)
1c Blue, Large Die Proof on
India (63P1). Die sunk on 127 x 190mm card, showing full die sinkage,
fresh and Very Fine (Image)
1c Blue, Large Die Proof on
India (63P1). Die sunk on 76 x 89mm card, showing full die sinkage,
black No. and imprint at bottom, few faint toning specks, otherwise Very
Fine (Image)
1c Gray Black, Large Die
Trial Color Proof on India (63TC1). Die sunk on 148 x 202mm card,
showing full die sinkage, few toned spots on card, otherwise Very Fine, an
extremely rare large die trial color proof of the 1c, Don Evans notes in
his book on the 1c Franklin that he has no records of a full large die
trial color proof, possibly unique (Image)
3c Pink, Hybrid Large Die
Proof on India (64P1). On India and die sunk on 126 x 187mm card,
showing full die sinkage, deep color, Extremely Fine and extremely rare,
this only exists as a hybrid (Image)
3c Hybrid Large Die Proofs on
India (56P1, 65P1, 74P1). On India, each die sunk on approx. 137 x
197mm card, showing full die sinkage, the first small toned spot at top
left of card, otherwise Very Fine and very rare
(Image)
3c Black, Large Die Trial
Color Proof on India (65TC1). Die sunk on 66 x 64mm card, showing full
die sinkage and No. and imprint at bottom, tiny scuff mark clear of design,
otherwise Very Fine and rare (Image)
3c Large Die Trial Color
Proof on India (65TC1). Four, each die sunk of 74 x 72mm card and each
showing full die sinkage, incl. Slate, Brown, Green and Deep Pink, the
latter overall toning and card creased at top right, others few trivial
toning specks, all appear Very Fine, rare group
(Image)