10c Dark Green, First Design
(62B). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly
centered with perfs well clear of design on all sides, grid
cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 10-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED CONDITION.
With 1979 P.F. certificate (Image)
1c Blue, Imperforate
Horizontally (63d). Bottom margin single with part imprint and plate
number, huge margin at top, tied by blue grid and "Chicago Ills. Oct. 23"
double-circle datestamp on orange cover to local address, blue oval "Half
Hour Drop Letter Delivery" and "Chicago Ill. 23 P.M." backstamps, small
punch hole at bottom left, slightly reduced at right, minor edgewear, stamp
with small corner creases which are inconsequential in an item of this
importanceVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY ON COVER.
In his book The United States 1c Franklin, 1861-67, Don Evans notes that the Scott Catalogue lists a vertical pair, imperforate between, but that its origin and present location are unknown to him. The only example of this stamp imperforate horizontally that he records is the cover offered here. Brookman notes a used pair imperforate horizontally, but it has never been certified by the Philatelic Foundation and may be lost to philately.
Illustrated in Evans book on p. 35. Ex Ishikawa. With 1993 P.F. certificate. (Image)
3c Rose (65). Original gum,
barest trace of hinge, bright shade and detailed impression, wide margins,
Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
(Image)
3c Rose (65). Rich color
and sharp impression nicely contrasted by grid cancel, wide margins,
Extremely Fine Gem (Image)
3c Rose, Double Impression
(65f). Clear double impression on the entire stamp, rich color, light
strike of target cancel at top left leaves design clearly visible, tiny
corner perf crease at top right not mentioned on accompanying
certificateEXTREMELY FINE AND RARE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE SIX EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE DOUBLE IMPRESSION KNOWN TO US. ONLY FIVE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A GREAT RARITY.
Our census of Scott 65f records the following examples: 1) target cancel, ex Ishikawa, the example offered here, 2) target cancel, needs to be examined for condition, 3) "Paid" in oval cancel, vertical crease, reperfed at top and right, 4) target cancel, centered to top, tear at bottom right, 5) target cancel at left, (our Sale 839, lot 514, realized $4,750 hammer), and 6) target cancel, negligible perf tip toning, corner perf crease at top right (our Sale 798, lot 124, realized $8,500 hammer).
Ex Ishikawa. With 1993 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Lake (66). Original gum,
lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT LAKE.
With 1968 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown, First Design, Plate
Essay on India (67-E9d). Horizontal pair, huge margins incl. part of
adjoining stamps at bottom, rich color, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as
singles (Image)
5c Buff (67). Fresh color
nicely contrasted by magenta grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1987
P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown Yellow (67a).
Beautiful color contrasted by blue Baltimore rimless circular
datestamp, Very Fine and choice, a stamp of great visual appeal, with 1987
P.F. certificate (Image) 
10c Yellow Green (68).
Pristine original gum with virtually no trace of hinge, beautiful rich
color and intense shade, sharp impression, choice centering with extra wide
marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE -- FAR RARER IN THIS CONDITION THAN THE SCOTT VALUE WOULD SUGGEST.
The increased awareness of the rarity of 1847 to 1879 issues in superb original-gum condition has elevated many valuations for stamps with modest Scott values. The 1861-66 Issues are prime examples of this trend. This 10c 1861 has a Scott value of $850, yet one would be hard-pressed to locate more than a few examples with original gum, choice centering and rich color, the characteristics that make this stamp so extraordinary.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)