Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 5c 1847 Issue Shades (Scott 1 shades)
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins all around including left sheet margin and entire frameline of adjoining stamp at top, attractive pale shade nicely complemented by unusual blue criss-crossing grids cancel, Extremely Fine, a marvelous used sheet-margin example with an unusual cancel, ex Wall, with 1975 P.F. certificate describing the shade as Orange Brown (which it is not)
5c Dark Brown (1a). Large even margins all around, deep rich color which almost approaches the Blackish Brown shade, unobtrusive strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a remarkable shade, with 1996 P.F. certificate describing this as "dark reddish brown", but in our opinion it is a First Printing Dark Brown
5c Pale Brown (1). Large margins to clear, pretty shade nicely complemented by red large six-bar rectangular open grid cancel, thin spot at top, Fine appearing example of this desirable shade with a scarce cancel
5c Brown (1). Large margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression from the First Printing, neat strike of blue circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (1). Full even margins all around, crisp shade and detailed impression, bold strike of black grid cancel, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate as Dark Brown (Scott 1a), but in our opinion this is the Brown shade
5c Brown (1). Large margins to ample at bottom, bright color without reddish tint present in the other shades, detailed impression, neat strikes of black grid cancels, Very Fine, a pretty example of this shade, ex Ishikawa
5c Walnut Brown (1a). Huge margins to full, wonderful intense color and impression in a deep dark shade identified on accompanying certificate as "Ridgway Walnut Brown", tied by multiple strikes (we counted ten) of "Alexandria Va. Sep. 10" circular datestamp, additional clear strike at right, on 1848 folded letter to New York, stamp lifted and hinged back in place to allow for more accurate determination of the shade and conditionEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE WALNUT BROWN SHADE OF THE 1847 ISSUE ON COVER. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE 1847 ISSUE, AND VERY FEW ARE KNOWN ON COVER. THE COMBINATION OF AN UNUSUAL SHADE AND THESE DISTINCTIVE CANCELS FORM A MEMORABLE COVER.
According to an article by Calvet M. Hahn in the May-June 1986 Collector's Club Philatelist (p. 209), this shade comes from the First Printing. It appears to be a more intense variation of the Dark Brown shade, and he notes it is "quite distinctive." The article mentions this cover, a pair off cover (ex Grunin, also used from Alexandria), one on cover from Hartford Conn. and one on cover from Philadelphia to England.
Ex Ishikawa and Hackmey. With 2010 P.F. certificate
5c Dark Brown (1a). Large margins all around, deep rich color and proof-like impression nicely complemented by blue "2" in circle handstamp of Philadelphia, beautifully struck at center so that the curve of the "2" outlines Franklin's faceEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DARK BROWN SHADE, WITH A BLUE NUMERAL CANCEL WHICH IS PERFECTLY PLACED.
According to an article by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. in Chronicle 200, the "2" handstamp was used in Philadelphia to indicate payment in cash of "to the mails" carrier service for a destination outside the old city limits (pre-1854 consolidation). We have offered a cover in the past bearing a pair of the 5c 1847 Issue with the stamps tied by the same cancel and with a 10c integral-rate circular datestamp.
With 1998 P.F. certificate.
5c Grayish Brown (1a). Huge margins to full including part of adjoining stamp at right, gorgeous bright color in the true Grayish Brown shade, nicely complemented by well-struck red "Paid" straightline cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Blackish Brown (1a). Large margins, intense shade from a late impression and towards the lighter end of the spectrum, face-free strike of red New York square grid cancel, Extremely Fine, the Blackish Brown shade is the darkest shade of the 1847 Issue and is also one of the most difficult to obtain
5c Deep Orange Brown (1b). Huge margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top, incredibly intense color and sharp impression, tied by perfectly struck blue grid cancel on small pieceEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847WITH HUGE MARGINS AND A PERFECTLY-STRUCK CANCEL.
Ex Dick ("DeLuxe" Collection, Siegel Sale 189, April 19, 1956) and Wall. With 2000 P.F. certificate.
5c Orange Brown (1b). Gorgeous warm shade in the true Orange Brown color, large margins to clear, neat strike of blue circular grid of tiny squares cancel, Fine, a wonderful combination of fresh color and an unusual cancellation, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Orange (1d). Large margins to full, blue integral-rate circular datestamp, Fine example of this unusual shade, with 1997 P.F. certificate
5c Red Orange, Dot in "S" (1c var). Position 99L1, large to huge margins all around including part of bottom sheet margin, radiant color in the true Red Orange shade which is nicely complemented by blue grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE AND DESIRABLE RED ORANGE SHADE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY DOT IN "S" VARIETY OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE RED ORANGE COLOR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE. IT IS EVEN MORE DESIRABLE WITH PART OF THE BOTTOM SHEET MARGIN.
According to a series of articles by the late Calvet M. Hahn in the Collector's Club Philatelist, the Red Orange shade was printed some time during the fourth and last printing, which took place in December 1850.
The Dot in "S" variety only occurs in the ninth vertical column of the left pane. An unused example of the of the same position from an early printing in the Brown shade was recently offered in the Mirsky Collection. (lot 2033).
A review using Power Search and older catalogues will demonstrate how scarce this shade is in four-margin sound condition. Apart from the unique pair offered in our Tahoe sale, only two others in sound four-margin condition are in Power Search. This includes one close at top (2007 Rarities). The only other comparable example we have been able to locate was in our 1999 Argentum sale.
With 2007 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (both graded XF-Superb 95; SMQ $25,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.