3c Scarlet (74). Unused (no
gum), almost perfectly centered, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB STAMP IN TERMS OF COLOR, CENTERING AND IMPRESSION. THE 3-CENT SCARLET IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Many examples of this stamp have either somewhat faded color or poor centering. Despite the absence of gum, we would rank this stamp among the finest examples we have seen.
With 1976 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail with gum (Image)
5c Red Brown (75). Original
gum, lightly hinged, beautiful warm colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE RED BROWN COLOR IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The Red Brown shade was printed and issued after the Buff (Scott 67/67a) and before the Brown (76). Although the great rarity of Buff stamps with original gum is widely recognized, the Red Brown is also extremely rare in a high grade of original-gum condition. In our opinion, the Scott Retail value of such examples has lagged behind the market. This offering of a choice original-gum Red Brown should receive more focus, and we believe this stamp's realization will be commensurate with its great rarity.
Ex Caspary, Hetherington and Klein. With 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown (76). Bright color
nicely contrasted by red "Fulton Bank Jun. 29, 1862" revenue cancel,
Very Fine and choice, with 1982 P.F. certificate
(Image)
24c Lilac, Printed on Both
Sides (78d). Back of stamp with clear impression of bottom half of
stamp split halfway between perforations, other side rich color, tied by
bold blue "DPO" cancel on bright orange cover to Heidelberg,
Germany, brownish-red "Summerfield Ala. June 1867" circular datestamp
with date in ms., red New York 12c credit datestamp, blue "America Uber
Bremen Franco" transit handstamp, receiving backstamp, stamp lifted from
coverVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT PRINTED-ON-BOTH-SIDES ERROR ON COVER. ONLY ONE OTHER HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND COPY OF THIS VARIETY EXTANT.
Ex Isleham, where it was erroneously described as reperfed at left (a subsequent P.F. certificate and our own examination confirms the error). The other certified example has an "1867" manuscript cancellation (matching the date on this cover), and its backside impression is identical to the stamp offered here. Without question, the two came from the same sheet. The other stamp has a defect at bottom right, while the stamp on this cover is sound.
With 1986 P.F. certificate (Image)