Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1875 Reprint of 1857-60 Issue (Scott 40-47)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
57
5c Orange Brown, Reprint (42). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, detailed impression, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 REPRINT. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
As collectors of high-grade stamps know only too well, the 5c 1857 Reprint (878 sold) is notorious for its typically tight margins and poor centering. Before seeing this stamp, we doubted that any example could achieve the coveted XF-Superb 95 grade. Yet Alan Whitman managed to acquire one which has now been awarded a P.S.E. 95 grade. Amazing.
With 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is a 90 (one stamp) which was offered in our Sale 947.
1,400
10,000