5c Buff (67). Original
gum, lightly hinged, beautiful brilliant shade and impression on bright
paper, a very early printing with fine detail of background and lathework
clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 5-CENT BUFF IS THE RAREST STAMP OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION -- IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES EXIST AS SUCH. THIS STAMP -- WITH ITS LIGHTLY HINGED ORIGINAL GUM AND BRILLIANT COLOR -- IS AMONG THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Our sales during the past two years have contained a number of original-gum 1861-66 Issues, and we have made frequent reference to the rarity of these stamps in such choice condition. The 5c Buff and its shade varieties (Brown Yellow and Olive Yellow) are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major Scott listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
To give an example of the rarity of the 5c Buff in this condition, the last original-gum example we offered was in our 1998 Rarities sale. That stamp, ex Lilly and Klein, was centered to top and had a short perf, yet it realized $15,000 hammer. The example offered here is in superior condition to that stamp and is likely to realize a price well in excess of the 1998 realization, given its superior condition and the current collector demand for Scott 67.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
10c Yellow Green (68).
Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Well-centered original-gum examples of this stamp are scarce. With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
10c Yellow Green (68).
Original gum, bright and fresh color, well-centered with extra wide margins
on three sides, Very Fine, with 1979 and 2000 P.F. certificates (Image)
10c Yellow Green (68).
Perfectly centered with wide and well-balanced margins, fresh and bright
color, neat "Paid" cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp (Image)
12c Black (69). Unused (no
gum), proof-like impression on fresh paper, well-centered, Extremely Fine
Gem, a truly remarkable unused 12c 1861, with 1993 P.F. certificate (Image) 
12c Black (69). Original
gum, paper h.r., intense shade and proof-like impression -- combined with
the brownish gum, these characteristics indicate a very early printing
(probably August 1861) -- light horizontal crease in top margin, otherwise
Fine, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate (Image)
12c Black (69). Perfectly
centered with well-balanced margins, crisp impression on bright paper,
neatly cancelled by blue Baltimore datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb
stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black (69). Perfectly
centered with unusually wide margins, bright shade, neat "Paid" in
oval cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)