15c Black (77). Original
gum, lightly hinged, proof-like impression on bright and fresh paper,
perfectly centered with wide and even marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME SHADE VARIETIES, THE 15-CENT LINCOLN IS PERHAPS THE RAREST OF THE 1861-66 SERIES STAMPS IN SUCH CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Throughout recent Siegel sales that have contained a remarkable group of original-gum 1861-66 Issues, we have made frequent reference to the rarity of these stamps in choice condition. With the exception of the rare 5c and 24c shades, our experience shows that the 15c Lincoln is the most difficult stamp to obtain in sound, choice original-gum condition. It is most often found without gum or with disturbed gum. Examples with full original gum are frequently off-center. The block of six (straight edge at left) -- ex Caspary, Lilly and Ishikawa -- has choice centering with original gum, but our search of numerous other major auction sales produced few other examples apart from the block. Therefore, this stamp could be the rarest face-different design of the 1861-66 series in choice original-gum condition. In our 2000 Rarities sale, we sold a Mint N.H. example for $32,500 hammer. In our December 1999 we sold an original-gum example for $15,500 hammer. The stamp offered here easily ranks as one of the finest in existence.
With 1995 P.F. certificate. (Image)
15c Black (77). Crisp
shade on bright paper, detailed impression, choice centering with wide
margins, neat circle of wedges and part of red transit cancel, Extremely
Fine, a beautiful stamp (Image)
15c Black (77). Choice
centering, light target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
(Image)
15c Black (77). Choice
centering with wide balanced margins, detailed impression, light cork
cancel, small corner crease at top left, otherwise Extremely Fine (Image)
15c Black (77). Two
singles, one with bright blue "Cincinnati O. Jun. 19" circular datestamp,
other with 5-Point Star fancy cancel, each with s.e. at side, Very
Fine (Image)
24c Lilac (78).
Beautifully centered, rich color, bold circle of V's cancel, Extremely
Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Gray (78b).
Beautifully centered, bright color on fresh paper, neat strike of grid
cancel and part of red transit, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
describing shade as Scott 78 Lilac (Image)
24c Gray (78b). Bright
shade, clear strike of circle of V's cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 1988
P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Gray (78b). Fine
impression on bright paper, perfectly struck fancy cork cancel, trace of
ms. on back, Very Fine and choice (Image)