Sale 983 — The Hampshire Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
Category — 1861-66 Issue
1c Blue (63). Original gum, single hinge mark, rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $500.00)
3c Pink (64). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, intense Pink shade, trivial perf flaw at top rightTHE 1861 3-CENT PINK IS AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO LOCATE IN UNUSED CONDITION WITH GOOD COLOR, ESPECIALLY WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM. THIS STAMP HAS EXCELLENT COLOR.
With 1960 and 2008 P.F. certificates
3c Lake (66). Original gum, single hinge mark, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, couple short perfs at left not mentioned on accompanying certificatesVERY 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
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 $1,200.00, yet one would be severely challenged to locate more than a few examples with original gum, choice centering and rich color.
Ex Hoffman. With 1994 P.F. certificate (not noting double transfer). Scott Retail as normal
12c Black (69). Unused (no gum), detailed impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1994 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,950.00)
30c Orange (71). Original gum, brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, long and full perforations all around, fresh and Fine, ex Hansen, with 1994 (for pair) and 2008 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (72). Original gum, brilliant color and detailed impression on crisp paper, well-proportioned margins for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
With 1988 and 2009 P.F. certificates
2c Black (73). Mint N.H., choice centering for this difficult issue, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY 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). Scott Retail as hinged
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, vibrant color, radiant color, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Original gum, small h.r., radiant color and detailed impressionVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1862 24-CENT IN THE DISTINCTIVE GRAYISH LILAC SHADE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate