Sale 989 &#8212; 2010 Rarities of the World

14,000

4,250

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Plate 4, bright color, tied by red "U.S. Mail/City Delivery/1/ May 18" carrier department circular datestamp on folded letter bootlegged from Marseille, France to New York, sender's blue oval handstamp and manuscript routing instructions "per Steamer 'Arago' via Havre", light vertical file fold well away from stamp, minor ink erosion

VERY FINE. A RARE BOOTLEGGED LETTER FROM FRANCE AND DELIVERED BY CARRIER IN NEW YORK CITY, PREPAID WITH THE DESIRABLE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IA.

Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. This folded letter was carried privately aboard the Havre Line's Arago, which left Havre on May 4, 1859, and arrived in New York on May 17. It was postmarked the next day at the New York City carrier department.

With 1987 P.F. certificate

14,200

1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 6R4, deep rich Plate 4 color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE FROM TOP ROW OF PLATE 4.

This stamp is noteworthy for two important reasons. The first is that the top row of Plate 4, from which it originates, furnished the finest examples of Type II, with the full design at top (their counterparts from the bottom row are Type Ia stamps, displaying full bottom design). The second reason is that the Plate 4 was not evenly spaced to accommodate rows of perforations (see Neinken book, p. 279). This irregularity often resulted in perfs cutting into the designs of the top or bottom rows. The example offered here, showing the entire design, is a true condition rarity.

With 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (both graded XF 90; SMQ $3,400.00). Only three have graded higher to date, but the Population Report does not distinguish between the rarity of position or plate.

1,250

2,500

1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice centering, intense color and impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, light strike of circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on a portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.

P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $14,900.00). None have graded higher to date.

2,750

5,000

1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Positions 34-37/44-47/54-57R4, block of twelve, unused (no gum), rich color, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with every position clearly showing a break in the outer frameline at top, few perf separations sensibly reinforced (mostly in top row), top stamps with faint horizontal crease

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4. THERE IS PERHAPS ONE OTHER AREA ON THE PLATE THAT WOULD YIELD A MULTIPLE OF THIS SIZE CONSISTING OF ONLY TYPE IIIA STAMPS.

Type IIIA stamps are defined as having the outer line broken at either top or bottom (but not both). Several positions which started out as Type IIIA became Type III as the plate wore away. Position 45 in this multiple is just such a position, meaning that to obtain a block of this size with all Type IIIA stamps it would have to come from an early impression. The only other position where a block of this size could also exist would also have to be from an early impression, and would include the stamps just to the right of this multiple (a block of fifteen is therefore technically possible but does not exist).

A review using Power Search found only one other block containing all Type IIIA stamps, which is a block of four offered in our 1978 Rarities sale. The block offered here comes to the market for the first time since our 1981 Rarities sale. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and two pairs with gum $37,500.00 Scott Retail as no gum singles does not even approach an adequate catalogue value but we quote it nevertheless

12,000

6,000

5c Red Brown (28). Warm shade on bright paper, perfectly centered with perfs well clear of outer projections on all sides, long and full perforations, neat strikes of New Orleans circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and unusually wide margins, is a true condition rarity.

With 1984 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,100.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade. This is also the highest grade we have ever offered in one of our auctions.

1,300

7,500

72°

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Bright color and choice centering, tied by neat strike of "San Francisco Cal. Aug. 13, 1861" circular datestamp on small cover to Oswego N.Y. with blue illustrated four-horse stagecoach design and "The Star of the Union -- California" imprint, lightly cleaned

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATED STAGECOACH COVER.

From the Turrill correspondence

E. 3,000-4,000

3,500

73°

12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Position 50R1 with "(E)NGRAVERS, Phila. New York, Bos(ton)" portion of Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.'s Type I imprint in right sheet selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with perfs clear of framelines on all four sides, detailed impression

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPRINT ON TOPPAN, CARPENTER, CASILEAR & COMPANY'S 12-CENT PLATE ONE.

Due to narrow spacing on the plate, most examples of this stamp (both used and unused) have perforations touching at least part of the outer frameline of the design. It is quite evident that this stamp does not fall into that category. There is a well-defined margin on each side, which is more typical of the later Plate 3 printing (Scott 36b) where the subjects were spread slightly farther apart on the plate. This stamp, with its fresh original gum, clear margins all around, bright shade and imprint, is truly superb in every sense of the word.

Unlike its Plate 3 counterpart, which survived in unused multiples when the issue was demonetized in 1861, very few examples of 12c stamps printed from Plate 1 show part of the Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. imprint. The Type I imprint was entered alongside Positions 40, 50, 60 and 70 on the right pane (and Positions 30/40/50/60 on the left pane). Plate 3 has a plate number, but no numbers were engraved on the two other 12c plates. We call the plate used to print stamps Plate 1, but the intriguing story behind these two plates will be found in James A. Allen's chapter, "The 1851 12c Imperforate (Scott U.S. #17): Plating Update and Additional New Findings," in The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective. The stamp offered here comes from the position which would ordinarily show a plate number. The absence of a plate number was a significant point in Neinken's study of the 12c plates.

Ex Concord, "J & J" and Hoffman. With 1995 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90).

1,900

12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Fantastic centering with wide and well-proportioned margins for this difficult issue, bold strike of blue circular datestamp and trace of red cancel at bottom left

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 12-CENT FROM PLATE ONE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only two have graded higher to date.

385

1,600

12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Original gum, perfectly centered, intense charcoal shade

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3.

The most recent scholarship regarding the Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. plates used to print the 12c 1851-57 Issue is clearly articulated by James A. Allen in "The 1851 Imperforate (Scott U.S. #17): Plating Updated and Additional New Findings" (The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective, U.S. Philatelic Classics Society). Traditionally, the 12c plates are identified as Plate 1 (from which all imperforate and some perforated stamps were printed), Plate 2 (evidently never used) and Plate 3 (which produced stamps that were only regularly issued with perforations). It is highly probable that Plate "3" was the first one made in 1851, but it was put aside and not used until 1859.

Plate 3 stamps (Scott 36b) are characterized primarily by uneven or broken outer framelines of the design. The subjects on Plate 1, which produced Scott Nos. 17 and 36, have even framelines that were extensively recut. Original-gum Plate 3 stamps with the centering and wide margins evident in this example are very scarce.

Ex Hansen. 2000 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only one has graded higher to date.

825

1,800

76°

12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Horizontal pair, intense shade and impression, used with 3c Rose Pink (64b) and tied by large "Paid" grids, 3c also tied by red "Boston Paid 18 Sep. 10" credit datestamp on red and blue General McClellan Patriotic cover with H. Ropes & Co. imprint to Vienna, Austria, endorsed "Per Asia via England & Belgium", large boxed "P.D." handstamp, Paris and receiving backstamps, all three stamps with barely noticeable sealed tears

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE PATRIOTIC COVER TO DR. HENRY C. ANGELL IN AUSTRIA. SENT VIA FRENCH MAIL AND FRANKED WITH STAMPS OF THE SOON-TO-BE-DEMONETIZED 1857-60 ISSUE AND THE NEW 1861 ISSUE.

Ex Matthies, Ishikawa and Gross.

E. 7,500-10,000

9,500

24c Gray Lilac (37). Block of twelve with selvage at left, original gum, center left stamp Mint N.H., many others very lightly hinged, beautiful color, few light gum soaks, bottom right stamp few small perf flaws, few perf separations sensible reinforced

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MULTIPLES EXTANT.

We are aware of a block of 22 (offered in our 1985 Rarities sale and possibly broken), two blocks of 20 and two other blocks of twelve. This is the only large multiple with selvage.

Ex Caspary. Last offered to the market in our 1981 Rarities sale. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and two pairs with no premium for the Mint N.H. stamp

26,200

10,500

24c Gray Lilac, 30c Orange, 90c Blue, Imperforate (37b, 38a, 39a). Complete set, huge margins to clear incl. 24c with sheet margin at bottom, unused (no gum), rich colors

VERY FINE. A SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1860 IMPERFORATE ISSUE. THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE ALL THREE VALUES OF THIS IMPERFORATE VARIETY AT ONCE.

According to Brookman, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 Imperforates come from a trial printing of the finished designs submitted to the Postmaster General for final opinion. The designs and colors match the regular issues (unlike essays and trial color proofs). For many years these were listed in the front of Scott Catalogue. Only one pair of the 90c is known, which we sold in our 1994 Rarities sale.

30c with 1952 P.F. and 90c with 1972 P.F. certificates

7,500

3,250

30c Orange (38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, nicely complemented by red grid cancel, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, long and full perforations all around

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.

The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 30c and 90c 1860 were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.

With 1998 and 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,700.00). There is a 95J and a 98J

550

4,500

30c Orange (38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, perfect bold strike of grid cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.

With 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,700.00). Only two have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.

500

1,700

81°

90c Blue (39). Pristine original gum in Mint Never-Hinged state, deep rich color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A FANTASTICALLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED SINGLE OF THIS ISSUE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.

The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. Stocks from northern post offices were returned and destroyed, and stocks in southern post offices, if not ultimately destroyed, were generally mishandled over the years.

As the highest denomination of the series, the 90c 1860 has been coveted by collectors, and almost every known example has been proudly hinged into an album at least one time. This remarkable survivor escaped the Civil War and a lifetime of hinge-happy philatelists in unscathed Mint Never-Hinged condition.

Ex Odeneal. With 1994 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition). Only two have been certified by P.S.E. in Mint N.H. condition (the other is graded 30 and so must be seriously defective).

E. 50,000-75,000

40,000

90c Blue (39). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE.

With 2009 P.F. certificate

3,500

2,500

83°

90c Blue (39). Choice centering with unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, deep rich color and proof-like impression, black grid and also part of red London circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED LONDON CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.

The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound. Of these sound examples, many are off-center.

Ex Ishikawa. With 1993 and 2006 P.F. certificates