Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1861-66 Issue (Scott 102-105)
1c Blue, Re-Issue (102). Almost perfect centering with wide margins, radiant color and detailed impression on bright paper, light but clear cancel, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. APPROXIMATELY 50 USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 1c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). 3,195 of the 1c were sold, by far the largest quantity of any denomination of the set. The remaining 6,805 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 102 used, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/102/102.pdf , records approximately 50 examples. There is a wide range of cancels found on this issue, including registry ovals, targets, circular datestamps and quartered corks. Several of the datestamps show yeardates in the 1880's, ten years after issue. The example offered here, with superior centering, is one of the finest in existence.
Census No. 102-CAN-41. Ex Hinrichs. With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,100.00). Only one example has achieved this grade and only one has graded higher (at 98)
3c Brown Red, Re-issue (104). Deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of "4" duplex cancel showing (18)83 year dateEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 21 USED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. A GREAT RARITY.
The 3c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate, which contained 200 subjects in two panes. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 465 of the 3c were sold; the remaining 9,535 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 104 used, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/104/104.pdf, records 21 examples, plus one with a non-contemporary cancel (not shown). Most have duplex cancels, with a large portion sent from New York.
Census No. 104-CAN-17. With 2011 P.F. (VF-XF 85) and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $25,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a used copy and only one other shares this grade.
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Choice centering with wide and beautifully balanced margins, light strike of cork cancellation at left, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 5c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. The Re-Issue plate can be identified by a notch at bottom. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 672 of the 5c were sold; the remaining 9,328 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 105 used, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/105/105.pdf , records only 37 examples. This is the second most common of any denomination after the 1c, but it is still difficult to find in sound and centered condition. The example offered here is one of the finest in existence.
Census No. 105-CAN-30. Ex Tahoe. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $20,000.00). This is the only example graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E., and only two have graded higher (at 95J and 98)