Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1861-66 Issue
1c Indigo, First Design (55). Unused (no gum), choice centering for this stamp with well-balanced margins, top perfs slightly into oval as they are on virtually all known copies, intense shade and impression, single pulled perforation at upper leftVERY FINE CENTERING. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 23 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/55/55.htm) contains a total of 24 examples of this stamp. Of these 24, one is in the New York Public Library collection and two are cancelled. Of the remaining 21 copies, approximately half are defective to some extent. The example offered here, with a minor pulled perforation at upper left, is a most desirable example of this rarity.
Census No. 55-UNC-19. With 1969 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the perforation flaw.
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown, First Design (57). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and sharp impression, small closed tear at top right centerFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY SIXTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM, AND ONE OF ONLY NINE WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/57/57.htm) lists a total of 35 copies of Scott 55, including two cancelled and one sound original-gum copy in the New York Public Library collection. Of the sixteen original-gum copies available to collectors, seven have only part original gum. Of the nine copies available with full original gum, none are completely sound. Four have small perf defects, one is reperfed at right, one is repaired, one has unspecified faults (ex Caspary), and two have small closed tears.
Census No. 57-OG-20. With copy of 1948 and with 1969 P.F. certificates describing the stamp as sound. With 2001 P.F. certificate describing a small closed tear at top right center.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Original gum described on 1998 P.F. certificate as "previously hinged" and on most recent certificate as "large part original gum" (we side with the former), deep rich color and proof-like impression, single shortish perf at right not mentioned on either accompanying certificateVERY FINE. A RARE AND REMARKABLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN.
The 10c 1861 "First Design" (or Type I from Plate 4) is extremely difficult to find in well-centered, sound, original-gum condition, This is partly due to the narrow spacing on Plate 4, which was used for the earliest printing.
With 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Dark Violet, First Color (60). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered, distinctive dark First Color shade, proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT DARK VIOLET EARLY TRIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE 24-CENT 1861-63 ISSUE SHADES.
The Dark Violet trial printing and Violet regular issue shades are often confused, and the Scott Catalogue adds to the confusion by putting the Dark Violet (the old Scott 60) in the Trial Color Proofs section as 70TCe, while the Violet gets a front seat as Scott 70c. In our opinion, there is no good reason to relegate the Dark Violet to the Trial Color Proof section. As a result, the stamp offered here is undercatalogued in relation to other 24c stamps of equal rarity. For example, Scott 70c has a value of $35,000.00 versus Scott 70TCe at $8,000.00.
Ex Zoellner and Silver Lake. With 1975 and 1998 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as 70TCe
1c Blue (63). Original gum, bright color on fresh white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Original gum, beautiful bright shade with strong Pink hueVERY FINE. THE 3-CENT 1861 PINK IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Examples of the 1861 3c Pink with original gum are almost invariably creased and/or toned. This stamp is a rare exception.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Original gum, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a massive stamp, with 1998 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $630.00 as 95, $1,100.00 as 98), only one hinged and one Mint N.H. have graded higher to date, and this is the only example to achieve this grade
3c Lake (66). Original gum, small h.r., selvage at top, wide margins, deep rich color and proof-like impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING WITH UNCOMMONLY WIDE MARGINS. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Original gum, radiant color, choice centering for this difficult issue, couple barely nibbed perfs at top not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 BROWN YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH ANY DECENT DEGREE OF CENTERING. A GREAT RARITY.
The 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original-gum condition. We have offered less than a dozen unused examples in any condition since keeping computerized records.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate
10c Yellow Green, "TAG" Double Transfer (68 var). Original gum, deep shade on bright fresh paper, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE WITH DOUBLE TRANSFER. AN EXTREMELY SCARCE STAMP IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE.
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 $1,250.00, yet one would be severely challenged to locate more than a few examples with original gum, choice centering and rich color.
With 1994 P.F. certificate (not noting double transfer). Scott Retail as normal
12c Black (69). Original gum, sharp proof-like impression, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Knowledgeable collectors recognize and appreciate the great rarity of well-centered, original gum classics. In particular, the 1861-66 Issue has been "discovered" as one of the most challenging of all. As escalating auction realizations show, collectors ignore Scott values in pursuing these elusive examples.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Original gum, lightly hinged, absolutely stunning deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With a growing awareness by collectors that 1861 Issues (5c and up) are exceedingly scarce in well-centered, original-gum condition, we would expect this stamp to draw keen competition. Although one finds the 24c unused without gum in this grade, original-gum examples are often poorly centered or faulty. Only on rare occasions has our firm offered a 24c Red Lilac of this quality. The 1861-62 Red Lilac shade is actually one of the scarcest of the 24c color varieties to find in sound well-centered original-gum condition, despite its lower Scott catalogue value relative to the other shades.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Original gum, choice centering for this difficult issue, vivid color in a bright vibrant shadeEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB 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.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1986 and 2003 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE. A REMARKABLY FRESH STAMP.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Scarlet (74). Small part original gum, brilliant color, light horizontal crease, reperfed at right and bottom, Fine appearance, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, incredibly vibrant color and proof-like impression on brilliant paper, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 ISSUE IN THE RED BROWN SHADE. A STAMP OF PHENOMENAL COLOR AND BEAUTY.
This stamp is very scarce in original-gum condition. The brilliant paper and incredibly vibrant color of this stamp are found only on a few examples, probably originating from the same multiple.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED AND UNUSUALLY FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN.
The 5c 1861-68 Issue was printed from plates with closely-spaced subjects that left little room for the large 12-gauge perforations. The Brown shade, Scott 76, is scarce in original-gum condition, and truly rare in this high grade.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,950.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 95) and only three others share this grade.
24c Lilac (78). Original gum, unusually well-centered, attractive deep shade and proof-like impression on bright fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. LIKE THE OTHER HIGH DENOMINATION 1861 ISSUES, THE 24-CENT 1861-63 ISSUE IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SOUND AND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A FAR GREATER CHALLENGE TO ACQUIRE IN THIS GRADE THAN MANY COLLECTORS REALIZE.
Scott values, which are influenced by the quantity of poorly centered copies extant, are irrelevant in the current market for original-gum classics.
With 1999 P.F. certificate