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32 Selected Lots, Page 1 of 4
General/Issue
Date
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, a single perf at lower left is mostly detached but is described on most recent certificate as "repaired" (we disagree)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen (with or without faults).
With clear 2001 P.F. certificate. With 2020 P.S.E. certificate describing the perf as repaired
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with full perforationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen, and some of those have faults.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
This magnificent pair of the rare 24¢ 1861 Steel Blue with full corner sheet selvage and original gum is so extraordinarily fresh and of such superb quality, it has often been used as the gold standard for the shade and issueDESCRIPTION
24¢ Steel Blue (70b), Positions 1-2L6, horizontal pair with full top left corner sheet selvage, original gum, very lightly hinged, incredibly deep rich color and proof-like impression, each stamp perfectly centered with wide and well-balanced margins
PROVENANCE
* Siegel Auction Galleries, 1982 Rarities of the World, 4/24/1982, Sale 596, lot 210, to Robinson as agent for Klein
* Walter C. Klein, Christie’s Robson Lowe sale, 6/15-16/1988, lot 48, to Chang as agent for Drucker
* Drucker Family, Siegel Auction Galleries, 10/9/2002, Sale 851, lot 79, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
* World Stamp Show 2016 Court of Honor (Gross)
CERTIFICATION
* British Philatelic Association (1962--no longer accompanies)
* Giulio Bolaffi (3/21/1966)
* The Philatelic Foundation (1982 and 2002)
CONDITION NOTES
* Extremely Fine Gem pair--superb and flawless
VIEW PDF OF HISTORY AND COMMENTARY at https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1188/56.pdf
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum described on accompanying P.S.E. certificate as Never Hinged and on P.F. certificate as Previously Hinged, in either case the back is pristine, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned margins, rich color in the unmistakable Steel Blue colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE. THE STEEL BLUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND COLLECTIBLE OF THE 24-CENT SHADES, AND THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen, and some have faults.
With 2001 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates, the former as Mint N.H.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, h.r., rich and true Steel Blue color, reperfed at left and small corner crease at top right, otherwise Fine and rare original gum example of this premium 24c 1861 color, with 1994 P.S.E. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color in the true Steel Blue color, unusually choice centering, small toned spots at center and at bottom leftEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue shade was produced early in the series of 24c 1861 shades, and it is scarce in any condition. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than ten. This stamp has incredibly fresh color.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Virtually full original gum, crisp shade and sharp impression, light gum creases and tiny eroded pin-point spot top left, some minor discoloration around the hardly visible holeA FRESH AND EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
Despite this stamp's small unobtrusive flaws, it should draw considerable attention, inasmuch as original-gum examples of the 24c 1861 Steel Blue are exceedingly rare.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Part original gum which covers more than half the stamp, rich color in this desirable shade, centered to left but with perfs clear, wide margins other sides, trivial diagonal creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue shade was produced early in the series of 24c 1861 shades, and it is scarce in any condition. Examples with any of their original gum are rare
With 2012 P.F. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, remarkably deep rich color and proof-like impression in crisp paper, selvage at top, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE. THE STEEL BLUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND COLLECTIBLE OF ALL 24-CENT SHADES, AND THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered on bright white paper, small faint corner crease at top right, single shortish perf at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue shade was produced early in the series of 24c 1861 shades, and it is scarce in any condition. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than ten.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
32 Selected Lots , Page 1 of 4
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