15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II,
Center Inverted (119b). Rich colors and proof-like impressions, rosette
cancel struck towards top leaves vignette clearly visible, centered
slightly to left but perfs are well clear all aroundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONLY 91 EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT ERROR ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. OF THESE, VERY FEW ARE SOUND AND WITH PERFORATIONS CLEAR ALL AROUND. PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOP FOUR OR FIVE COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
Our census of 1869 Inverts contains 91 examples of the 15c Invert, including three unused and 88 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection and three No. 119c varieties). We estimate that only twelve to fifteen used copies are sound, including copies with tiny corner creases. A large number -- more than half -- have serious faults or repairs. This stamp, with its rich colors, cancel that does not obscure the design, and sound condition, ranks among the top four or five in our records.
Trepel Census No. 119b-CAN-NW06. (Image)
15c Brown & Blue, Center
Double, One Inverted (119c). Choice centering, rich colors and detailed
impressions, light strike of circle of wedges cancel leaves design clearly
visible, doubling of design clearly visible in margins at left and at
rightVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF ALL 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERTS. IT IS, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE SCOTT 119c VARIETY, OF WHICH ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED.
In an article in Chronicle No. 181, February 1999, Scott R. Trepel examines the three confirmed known examples of the Scott 119c variety and offers a theory on how they were produced. Using computer imaging software and high-resolution scans, he makes the argument that the upright impression of the vignette, which in all three cases is faint, was created as a result of offset when the sheet was accidentally folded over on itself and stacked.
The three recorded examples are listed as follows: 1) expertly repaired, offered in the 1971 Siegel Rarities sale, the discovery copy, 2) centered slightly to bottom right, offered in the Siegel 1984 Rarities sale and the first copy certified as the variety, and 3) the stamp offered here, ex Newbury (as normal invert) and offered in the 1983 Siegel Rarities sale as Scott 119c.
Trepel Census No. 119c-CAN-NC06. Ex Newbury. With 1994 P.F. certificate. (Image)
24c Green & Violet, Center
Inverted (120b). Rich colors on bright paper, neat circle of wedges
fancy cancel leaves design clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT.
Our published 1869 Invert census (with unpublished updates) contains 88 copies of the perforated 24c Invert, including four unused stamps, two used pairs and the unique used block of four. Of these, there are very few sound singles where the perforations are clear of the design on all four sides.
Trepel Census No. 120b-CAN-SW19. With 1987 P.F. certificate. (Image)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine,
Center Inverted (121b). Perfect centering with wide and well-balanced
margins all around, incredibly rich and bright colors on fresh white paper,
clear strike of cork cancel and top portion of red "New York Paid All
Br. Transit" transit datestamp at bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT IN EXISTENCE. ONLY THREE OF THE 37 RECORDED USED COPIES ARE CENTERED AND SOUND.
Our published census of 30c 1869 Invert (with unpublished updates) contains a total of 44 stamps, including 7 unused and 37 used. Of the ten used "centered" copies, only three are sound. One of the three realized $95,000 hammer in our firm's Zoellner sale (Sale 804, lot 300), and another realized $70,000 hammer in our Twigg-Smith sale (Sale 835, lot 239).
Trepel Census No. 121b-CAN-C06. Ex "Country Gentleman's" Collection. With 1946 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)