EXTREMELY FINE. PROBABLY THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE BLOCK EXTANT, EVEN BEFORE FACTORING IN ITS MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged block of four
FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED FROM PLATE 9.
There are eight plate blocks recorded in total for Scott No. 63. Of these, only one other is from Plate 9.
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 3-CENT 1861 PINK IS EXTREMELY RARE WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
Most original-gum examples of the Pink have vertical creasing and slightly brownish gum. However, very few have the centering and bright fresh color of this choice example.
With 1961and 2005 P.F. certificates
VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Highly exhibitable and remarkably fresh.
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BUFF 1861 ISSUE.
Our sales during the past several years have contained a number of original-gum 1861-66 Issues, and we have made frequent reference to the rarity of these stamps in such choice condition. The 5c Brown Yellow and Buff are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Brown Yellow or Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c).
With 1976 and 2005 P.F. certificates
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE SOUND UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
The increased awareness of the rarity of 1847 to 1879 issues in superb original-gum condition has elevated many valuations for issues with modest Scott values. The 1861-66 issues are prime examples of this trend. This 10c 1861 has a Scott value of $1,200.00, yet one would be severely challenged to locate more than a few examples with original gum, choice centering and rich color.
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 12-CENT 1861 IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF ANY ISSUE TO OBTAIN WITH A GREEN COLORED CANCEL.
Green cancels are generally very scarce, and most examples are found on 3c values of classic issues used from small post offices. Because the 12c was typically used to pay the U.S-British treaty rates on mail from large cities, examples cancelled in green are extremely rare. A collector looking for a green cancel on a 12c 1861 in any condition would experience great difficulty. A condition-conscious collector who asked a professional for a superb 12c 1861 with a green cancel would be considered slightly mad. The stamp offered here answers that call, and we must emphasize that all attempts to value this stamp -- using Scott, SMQ, Siegel estimate, etc. -- are pointless exercises. The auction will be the deciding event. Whatever the outcome, the winner of this lot will have a unique stamp, and the price paid will be soon forgotten.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90 -- if this is a 90, then what is a 100? This stamp is a good example of why numerical grading is not always pertinent)
VERY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC IN A REMARKABLE STATE OF FRESHNESS.
The color is a soft brownish shade, which is quite distinctive and much different than the Red Lilac (1862) or later Lilac (1863-66) printings.
With copy of 2001 P.F. certificate for pair
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 24-CENT BROWN LILAC SHADE.
This block exhibits wonderful eye appeal with its centered stamps, bright color and beautiful cancels.
EXTREMELY 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 been hiding for more than 50 years in a collector's album and has incredibly fresh color.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WITH WONDERFUL GUM, CENTERING, COLOR AND PERFORATIONS.
The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Consequently, examples with wide margins at sides are extremely rare -- this fact is acknowledged in the Scott Catalogue footnote to No. 71.
EXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH WONDERFULLY PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90; SMQ does not price this as XF 90 in Mint N.H. condition). Scott Retail as hinged
FINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE.
Scott Retail as two blocks of four and pair
EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET.
Many examples of this stamp without pen marks have either somewhat faded color or poor centering. This example features intense color and choice centering.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING FROM THE ROTHFUCHS GROUP.
With 1999 P.F. certificate