15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II
(119). Original gum, nearly perfect centering with wide margins all
around, deep shades of Brown and Blue, fresh and brightEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FEW 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL STAMPS IN EXISTENCE WITH ORIGINAL GUM, SUPERB CENTERING AND FRESHNESS.
As noted in lot 195, the 15c Type I and II stamps are probably of equal rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition -- we estimate 8 to 10 of each. Although large blocks of the Type II existed (or exist), none contain perfectly centered stamps. Of the single stamps available to collectors, gum is frequently a problem due to repeated use of hinges. This Type II is both centered and lightly hinged, and the vignette is nicely aligned to the frame, something that perfectionists will appreciate.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II,
Center Inverted (119b). Beautiful deep rich colors and intense
impressions, light strike of cork cancel leaves vignette mostly
cancel-free, thin spot in grill, tiny tear at bottomVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT ERROR.
Our census of 1869 Inverts, published in the February 1999 Chronicle and updated with one new example, contains 90 of the 15c Invert, including three unused and 87 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection and three No. 119c varieties). We estimate that no more than fifteen used copies are sound, including copies with tiny corner creases. A large number -- more than half -- have serious faults or repairs. The example offered here is in better condition than most, with relatively minor faults. (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II,
Center Inverted (119b). Beautiful deep rich colors, cancelled by clear
strike of circle of V's cancel, centered to lower right, two small tears
not noticeable from front of stampA FINE-APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT. ONLY 90 COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
As noted in lot 198, our census of 1869 Inverts, published in the February 1999 Chronicle and updated with one new stamp, contains 90 examples of the 15c Invert, including three unused and 87 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection). Over half have serious faults or repairs.
With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Green & Violet (120).
Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful rich colors and proof-like
impressions of frame and vignette -- which are perfectly aligned --
unusually well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL -- RARELY SEEN WITH THIS DEPTH OF COLOR AND IMPRESSION.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Deep Brown & Blue, Large
Die Trial Color Proof on India (121TC1). Die sunk on 72 x 81mm card,
showing full die sinkage, rich colorsVERY FINE. A RARE TRIAL COLOR PROOF OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL SHOWING FULL DIE SINKAGE.
Ex Finkelburg (Image)
30c Carmine Lake & Brown,
Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (121TC1). 40 x 42mm, deep rich
colors, Very Fine and very rare large die trial color proof, ex Finkelburg
(Image) 
30c Ultramarine & Carmine
(121). Original gum, remarkably well-centered with unusually wide
margins, bright colors on exceptionally fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB STAMP WITH REMARKABLY CHOICE CENTERING. THE 30-CENT 1869 IS ESPECIALLY RARE IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Our experience with the 1869 Pictorial Issue has shown that the 30c with grill (as opposed to Scott 121a without grill) is extremely rare in well-centered original-gum condition. Centering seems to be a challenge in this issue, and our best estimate is that 12 to 15 stamps exist in the Extremely Fine grade with original-gum.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
90c Carmine & Black (122).
Vertical block of six, unused with traces of original gum, well-centered,
intense vignette impression, frame varies from bright Carmine at left to a
pinkish slightly dry print at right, which suggests this is a right margin
block, faint thin spot on right center stamp, perfs strengthened and
rejoined in placesVERY FINE TO EXTREMELY APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO KNOWN UNUSED BLOCKS OF SIX, THE LARGEST-SIZE INTACT UNUSED MULTIPLE RECORDED FOR THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL. AN OUTSTANDING CLASSIC UNITED STATES BLOCK.
The other known unused block of six was in the Caspary sale. The similarity in centering between these two blocks suggests that they might originate from the same piece.
Illustrated in Rose book (p. 164). Ex Hind, Bechtel and Zoellner. This block is believed to be the one described in Brookman Vol. II (p. 188) as ex Ackerman, Sinkler and Ward. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as a block and pair (Image)