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8 Selected Lots, Page 1 of 1
General/Issue
Date
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Unused (traces of gum), large margins to clear, mottled impression, certificate notes slightly discolored from moisture, otherwise Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as half a pair
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Full to huge margins, manuscript "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in the hand of James Macdonough, one of the founders of the National Bank Note Company, tiny nick in bottom margin, small corner creases not readily apparent on faceVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT SCARLET PRINTING -- ONE OF FOUR RECORDED WITH JAMES MACDONOUGH'S MANUSCRIPT INITIALS AND DATE.
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.
We record four examples of the 3c Scarlet with the initials and date: one perforated and three imperforate, including one example in a pair. The "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" was probably applied by James Macdonough, one of the National Bank Note Company founders. Although Wagshal offers some 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 various means to prevent stamp re-use and to improve production efficiency and quality. The Scarlet may be related to this effort.
Ex Finkelburg.
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Unused (no gum), three large margins, slightly in at top, light horizontal crease at bottom, appears Fine, scarce, with 2006 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as half a pair
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins, left stamp manuscript "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in three lines, presumed to be in the hand of James Macdonough, right stamp neat parallel vertical pen strokesEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE PAIR OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT SCARLET PRINTING WITH JAMES MACDONOUGH'S MANUSCRIPT INITIALS AND DATE. ONLY FOUR INITIALED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN TOTAL.
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.
We record four examples of the 3c Scarlet with the initials and date: one perforated and three imperforate, including the example in the pair offered here. The "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" 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 various means to prevent stamp re-use and to improve production efficiency and quality. The Scarlet may related to this effort.
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, large margins, light horizontal crease at bottom, some manuscript on back barely shows thru, otherwise Very Fine, Scott Retail as half a pair
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Unused (no gum), three large to huge margins, slightly in at top, light crease at bottom, otherwise Fine, Scott Retail as half a pair
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74a). Large Margined Single, Extremely Fine, signed Bartels, with P. F. Certificate
8 Selected Lots , Page 1 of 1
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