Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — 1861-66 Issue
1c Ultramarine (63a). Mint N.H., radiant color in the true Ultramarine shade, well-proportioned margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE SCARCE ULTRAMARINE SHADE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition, SMQ $1,050.00 as hinged does not even remotely reflect the value of this item)
1c Ultramarine (63a). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color which differs significantly from the regular shade, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 ONE-CENT IN THE ULTRAMARINE SHADE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Horizontal pair, natural s.e. at left, rich color and detailed impression, clear vertical laid lines, right stamp small tear at topFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON VERTICALLY LAID PAPER.
With 2006 A.P.S. certificate. Scott Retail as singles.
3c Carmine, Die Essay on India (65-E4a). On 79 x 79mm card showing the die sinkage area, vibrant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE ESSAY PREPARED FOR THE 1861 ISSUE.
Ex Finkelburg. Undercatalogued in Scott at $1,500.00, which has barely changed since the 1999 Finkelburg sale. Scott Catalogue value has probably not changed since then because another has not been offered in the past ten years.
3c Pink (64). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color in the true Pink shade, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK. ONE OF THE RAREST 1861 ISSUE SHADES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 3c 1861 Pink (Scott 64) is one of the most difficult stamps of the 1861-66 Issue to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition with fresh color. The nature of the ink used to print the 3c Pink shade is such that over the course of time, with exposure to light and other adverse elements, the color tends to oxidize or lose its vibrancy.
Collectors who have searched in vain for a 3c Pink in such condition will appreciate the rarity of this stamp in such a remarkable state of preservation. Others who may be less familiar with the rarity of this early 1861 Issue -- and perhaps deceived by the abundance of common 3c 1861 shades (Scott 65) -- are urged to consider the extreme rarity of Scott 64 in sound original-gum condition.
With 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $26,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Brilliant color with bluish cast indicative of the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, superb centering with wide margins, tied by neat strike of "West Farms N.Y. Oct. 12" (1861) circular datestamp on immaculate cover to Albany N.Y.EXTREMELY FINE GEM STAMP AND COVER BEARING THE RARE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK.
Ex Klein. With 1961 and 2000 P.F. certificates
5c Buff (67). Unused (no gum), bright color, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE SOUND AND CENTERED UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Tied by San Francisco circular grids, affixed over red crayon "5d" rate marking applied in British Columbia, "General Post Office, British Columbia, 13 May 1865" origination backstamp on cover to Aylmer, Canada West, bold strike of "10" in barred oval and "Paid" handstamps, neat "San Francisco Cal. May 19, 1865" double-circle datestamp applied in transit, red oval "U.S. 10cts. Paid" handstamp for cross-border use into Canada, "London U.C. JU 20, 1865" and receiving backstamps, slightly reduced at left, minor edgewear, Very Fine, rare usage from British Columbia to Canada West via the United States, the "10" in oval was applied at Williams Creek as a provisional mark to indicate British Columbia postage was paid
10c Yellow Green (68). Rich color, few tiny perf flaws, tied by "STEAM/SHIP" two-line handstamp on cover to Cleveland O. originating in Havana, Cuba, well-struck "Paid at Havana" crown-circle handstamp crossed out, "Havana JA 15, 1863" backstamp, minor edgewear, Very Fine, an extremely rare use of the Havana crown-circle in conjunction with U.S. postage on a cover from Cuba to the United States
10c Yellow Green (68). Rich color, tied by circle of wedges, "New York Sep. 20" circular datestamp on 1867 folded letter to Demerara, British Guiana, clear "St. Thomas SP 30, 1867" and Georgetown backstamps, ms. "4" crossed out and re-rated "5", sender's instructions "pr Brazilian Str. Guiding Star", vertical file folds do not affect stamp, Very Fine, extremely rare use to British Guiana, our computerized records contain only one other, with two 5c stamps, offered in our Sevenoaks sale in 2000, and we are aware of another 10c cover
10c Yellow Green (68). Three, tied by quartered corks and by well-struck "Cold Spring N.Y. Jan. 5" circular datestamp on red and blue 34-Star all-over flag Patriotic cover to Rome, Italy, red boxed "Aachen Franco" also ties left stamp, red "N. York Am. Pkt. 7 Paid Jan. 9" credit datestamp, neat "P.D." handstamp and ms. rate, transit and receiving backstamps, right stamp torn at right, others few small perf flaws, otherwise Fine, scarce and desirable usage
10c Yellow Green (68). Bright color, used with Hawaii, 1866, 5c Blue (32), tied together by target, 10c also tied by circle of wedges, on cover to Rochester Vt., large red "Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Dec. 10" circular datestamp and well-struck "Hawaiian Steam Service" oval handstamp, neat "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 24" circular datestamp, slightly reduced at top and some edge tears and wear, 5c stamp few tiny flaws, otherwise Fine, the 5c stamp paid the internal Hawaiian postage, and the 10c stamp paid the Pacific Mail Steamship Company contract mail rate from Hawaii to the U.S.
12c Black (69). Horizontal strip of three, used with 10c Yellow Green (68) and tied by large "Paid" grid, red "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Jul. 22" backstamp and red "Boston Br. Pkt. 40 Jul. 22" credit datestamp on blue 1863 folded cover to Hong Kong, China, red "1d" Colonial rate handstamp, London and Hong Kong transits, 10c tiny corner crease at top leftVERY FINE. A RARE COVER TO HONG KONG WITH THE 12-CENT AND 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
The rate overpays by 1c the 45c rate by British Mails via Southampton.
24c Red Lilac (70). Perfectly centered with wide margins, bright color and detailed impression nicely contrasted by red cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC ISSUE AND ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1987 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,600.00). Only six other examples share this grade to date
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, magnificent color and well-centered, reperfed at leftFINE APPEARANCE. the 1861 24-CENT VIOLET IS AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED STAMP IN ANY CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Brilliant color nicely complemented by red New York grid cancel, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c).
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $16,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others have achieved this grade. As another indication of rarity, SMQ does not even price this above the grade of 95.
30c Orange (71). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color, beautiful centering with well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Used with two 10c Green (68) and 3c Rose (65), tied by Star in Circle fancy cancel, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid Aug. 21" circular datestamp on 1864 cover to Amoy, China, red London transit, blue Hong Kong backstamp, magenta "32" credit, missing top flap, stamps with few tiny imperfections, Very Fine, scarce and colorful usage paying the 53c rate by British Mails via Marseilles
10c Yellow Green (68). Horizontal strip of four, used with 3c Rose (65) and 2c Black (73), tied by targets, "Spring Valley N.Y. Sep. 21" circular datestamp on 1865 cover to Amoy, China, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid Sep. 23" circular datestamp, London transit also ties strip, red "24" credit handstamp, red ms. "1" Colonial credit also ties strip, Hong Kong backstamp, left 10c tiny perf flaws, 2c perf flaw at right, slightly reduced at top and some edgewearVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A COLORFUL USAGE SENT VIA AMERICAN PACKET AND THENCE BY BRITISH MAILS TO AMOY, CHINA.
This cover was carried by American Packet across the Atlantic, and then by British Mails via Southampton. This is unusual, as most were carried by British mails the entire way.
2c Black (73). Intense shade, tied by clear strike of Running Man fancy cancel (S-E PH-F49) struck upside down and "New-York City Aug. 1" circular datestamp on unsealed locally addressed coverVERY FINE STRIKE. THE RUNNING MAN FANCY CANCEL OF NEW YORK CITY IS ONE OF THE MOST ELABORATE AND RAREST OF ALL FANCY CANCELLATIONS. A PHENOMENAL RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
Another cover is known with a vertical pair of the Black Jack used with two strikes of this cancel (ex Sheriff).
With 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Lilac (78). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT LILAC. THIS ISSUE IS DIFFICULT TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Deep rich color in the true Blackish Violet shade, detailed impression, unobtrusive strike of circle of wedges cancelFINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADE OF THE 1861-63 ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN ANY CONDITION.
A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate