2c Black (73). Perfectly
centered, fine impression, bold "New Orleans La." circular datestamp,
Extremely Fine Gem, most unusual with this town cancellation (Image)
2c Black, Atherton Shift,
Major Double Transfer of Top Left Corner and "Postage" (73 var).
Lightly cancelled by blue Baltimore circular datestamp, centered low but
the major double transfer at upper left is unobscuredVERY FINE. THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ATHERTON SHIFT--THE MOST PRONOUNCED DOUBLE TRANSFER OF THE BLACK JACK ISSUE.
Although the Atherton shift is located in the left column where a straight edge was frequently formed, we have carefully examined the lefthand perfs on this stamp and have complete confidence that they are genuine.
Ex Rorke (Image)
2c Black (73). Block of
four, well-centered, lightly cancelled by town double-circle datestamp,
faint creases in top pair, ending in small perf tear at upper left,
otherwise Very Fine, extremely rare used block
(Image)
2c Black, Diagonal Half Used
as 1c as Part of 3c Rate (73a). Top right diagonal half joined in pair
with single, ms. cancels, ms. Pennsylvania town postmark on cover to H. B.
Shaw at Alfred Me., postmarked in transit with "Augusta Me. Dec. 30"
circular datestamp and cork cancel tying bisect across the cut, Extremely
Fine, an outstanding and unusual Black Jack bisect cover, ex Wordin and
Faiman, with 1977 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, Vertical Half Used
as 1c as Part of 3c Rate (73a). Right vertical half in pair with
single, intense shade and impression, tied across the cut by target
cancels, "Richmondville N.Y. Oct. 11" circular datestamp on buff cover to
Albany N.Y., Extremely Fine, with original letter, ex Lehman and Haas, with
1955 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, Horizontal Half Used
as 1c as Part of 3c Rate (73c). Bottom half used with single, each has
a few clipped perfs, bisect has natural paper wrinkle, tied by target
cancels and "Manchester Md. Dec. 27" circular datestamp on buff cover to
Pa., from the Everhart correspondence, two short sealed opening tears,
still Very Fine appearing, the rarest of Black Jack bisect configurations,
ex Mr. "X" (Ward sale), Wordin and Faiman, with 1977 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Scarlet (74). Four pen
strokes, large part original gum, vibrant color and exceptionally choice
centering, bright and fresh with long full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING. THIS PEN-MARKED EXAMPLE COMES FROM THE ROTHFUCHS GROUP OF 1893.
The story of the 3c Scarlet has been well-documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893--probably from the Post office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition--and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870's, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.
Two examples of the 3c Scarlet (perforated and imperforate) exist with a "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" manuscript mark, which was probably applied by James Macdonough, one of the National Bank Note Company founders. Although Wagshal offers some convincing evidence dating the Scarlet to 1861, these 1868-dated examples suggest an alternate theory that the Scarlet was produced about the time of the 1868 regular-production grills. The existence of numerous essays and color varieties made in 1867 and 1868, as well as actual changes in the color and paper of stamps produced in 1868, show that National was experimenting with vartious means to prevent stamp re-use and to improve production efficiency and quality. The Scarlet may related to this effort.
Ex Klein. With 1972 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Red Brown (75). Block
of four, full original gum, fiery red color, tiny thin speck in top right
stamp, few perf separationsFINE CENTERING AND BRILLIANT COLOR. CERTAINLY THE FINEST KNOWN BLOCK WITH ORIGINAL GUM--PERHAPS ONE OTHER UNUSED BLOCK EXISTS. AN IMPORTANT AND ATTRACTIVE 1861 ISSUE MULTIPLE.
Ex Klein. Scott Retail for two pairs is $14,500.00--the block is listed but unpriced (Image)
5c Red Brown (75).
Perfectly centered with wide even margins all around, vivid fiery red
color, attractive blue town circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem,
the 1862 Red Brown is extremely rare in such superb condition, ex Klein,
with 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown (76).
Exceptionally wide margins and choice centering, rich color, blue
target and Baltimore datestamp, Extremely Fine
(Image)
5c Dark Brown (76a).
Intense shade and proof-like impression, circle of wedges cancel and trace
of red datestamp, Extremely Fine (Image)
15c Black (77). Choice
centering and margins, bright red New York credit datestamp,
Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1985 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Black (77). Horizontal
pair with top sheet margin showing part of imprint above left stamp,
proof-like impression, tied by three-bar cork cancel, red "N. York U.S.
Pkt. 12 Paid Jun. 29" (1866) credit datestamp on yellow cover to
Magdeburg, Germany, appropriate transits front and back, Very Fine
cover, a spectacular pair of the 15c Lincoln, ex Haas, with 1980 Friedl
certificate (Image)
24c Lilac (78). Near
perfect centering, deep shade, fine impression on thick white paper,
blue Star Within Star cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a lovely stamp,
with 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Lilac (78).
Magnificent centering, distinctive dark shade, proof-like impression, small
circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Lilac (78). Horizontal
pair, marvelous deep color, bright blue target cancels and trace of
red datestamp, both stamps well-centered, but the right stamp has four
phenomenally wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning combination of
color and quality, with 1986 P.F. certificate
(Image)
24c Blackish Violet (78c).
Full original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, the true dark color on
stout white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET--RARER THAN THE 1857 INDIAN RED, 1861 PIGEON BLOOD PINK OR ANY OF THE OTHER 24-CENT 1861 COLORS.
Our records of this rare color variety contain only one other sound example of the Blackish Violet with original gum, the ex-Caspary, Lilly and Seymour stamp sold in our 1992 Rarities sale, which is centered to right. There is possibly a third unused example. The stamp offered from Mr. Zoellner's collection is indisputably the finest extant.
Ex Wunderlich. With P.F. certificate (Image)