Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)







EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED BY P.S.E.
Ex Eubanks. With 1999 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,700.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others. The next highest grade for any Scott 115, used or unused, is 95




EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2010 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by eight others


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $12,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only four have graded higher

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING CENTERING.
With 2010 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00). A review of the P.S.E. Population Report statistics for the 15c 1869 Pictorials reveals a surprising fact. Out of 151 submissions of used Ty. II stamps, only one has graded 98 and only five have graded 95, including this stamp. The scarcer Ty. I has had 35 fewer used stamps submitted, but has had two 98J stamps (including the example offered in lot 3191), one 98, one 95J and nine 95's. Neither type has had an example grade over 90 in unused condition.


EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so the example offered here.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,500.00 as 95, $13,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade.

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH DOUBLE GRILL WE HAVE OFFERED DURING THE PAST 15 YEARS.
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as double grill)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH A RED CANCEL.
With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,300.00). Only two have graded higher (both at 95J).

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,800.00). Only three have graded higher