Sale 869 — Fall 2003 U.S. Rarities: United States, Confederate States, Historic Flights and Hawaii
Sale Date — Saturday, 15 November, 2003
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues (Scott 135 to 165)
2c Red Brown, Grill (135). H. Grill, block of four, original gum, bottom right stamp Mint N.H., other three stamps lightly hinged, fresh color on bright paper, unusually clear and well-defined grillVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 2-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM, FEATURING ONE MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMP.
The vast majority of multiples have been broken to satisfy the demand for singles. This block, with one stamp Mint N.H., is a rare survivor.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, Grill (135). H. Grill, block of four with imprint at top, original gum, bottom pair small h.r., top pair lightly hinged with top left stamp with short gum at top, fresh color and sharp impressionFINE ORIGINAL-GUM IMPRINT BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 2-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Very few imprint blocks are known.
90c Carmine, Grill (144). H. Grill, original gum, clearly-defined grill points easily visible on face of stamp, deep rich color, light diagonal creaseVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue.
With 1999 P.S.E. certificate
24c Purple (153). Top right corner block of six, original gum, bright color, fresh and intactFINE. A RARE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL ISSUE WITH TOP RIGHT CORNER SELVAGE.
Scott Retail as a pair and a block of four
90c Carmine (155). Block of four, original gum, top pair small h.r., bottom pair lightly hinged, bright color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paperFINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 1991 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, 6c Carmine, (157, 159). Vertical pair of 2c, natural s.e. at left, tied by "Yokohama Japan Feb. 23" circular datestamp, 6c tied by cork cancel on fresh cover to Washington D.C., sender's routing "Via San Francisco", Carrier backstamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful cover from Yokohama
Two Covers Paying 15c Rate to Benjamin Lyman in Japan. First with 10c Brown (161) and horizontal pair of 3c Green (158), tied by quartered cork cancels and overpaying 15c rate, Washington D.C. circular datestamp on cover to Tokyo, Japan, "Yokohama Japan Nov. 28" receiving datestamp on back, 1876 pencil docketing at left, second with horizontal pair and single of 3c Green (147) and 1c Ultramarine (145), overlapped by 2c Red Brown and 3c Green (146 and 147, latter natural s.e. at left) affixed over ms. "Due 5", all tied by cork cancels, "Salem Mass. Feb. 4" circular datestamp on cover to Yokohama Japan, ms. 1875 docketing and "Via San Francisco" routing instructions, blue "Yokohama Mar. 28 8AM" receiving datestamp on back, former with opening tear at top left, both with tears in top backflap, otherwise Very Fine covers
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense vibrant color and detailed impression with clear secret mark, remarkably choice centering with nicely balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM 7-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Original gum, well-centered with wide even margins, intense dark color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT INCLUDING COLOR, CENTERING, AND FRESHNESS.
With 1999 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful bright color on fresh paper, top stamps almost perfectly centered, bottom stamps with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM BLOCK OF THE 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY PRINTING.
Most of the well-centered blocks have been broken into singles. This block is an extremely rare survivor.
With 1997 P.F. certificate