Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 5c-12c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 12-17)
5c Red Brown (12). Position 91L1, D Relief, huge margins all around including bottom left corner sheet margins, rich color on fresh paper, town datestamp cancel falls entirely in the margin leaving the design unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. THIS STAMP IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.
The plate used to print the 5c 1856 imperforate and its Type I perforated counterparts has never been fully reconstructed, due to the lack of multiples or significant plating marks. However, 5c stamps with imprints or corner sheet margins can be reliably plated. It is an extremely difficult stamp to obtain in sound condition from the corner-margin positions. We record only thirteen copies with part of the imprint and only about a half-dozen with corner margins. Of those, only one other shows a significant portion of both of the corner margins.
Ex Mayer. With 1983 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,250.00 as 98). Only two examples have achieved this desirable grade with none higher.
5c Red Brown (12). Horizontal pair, choice even margins all around, deep rich color on fresh paper, central strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING PAIR OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A PAIR.
Used pairs of this issue are readily available as some were used to pay the 10c over 3,000 miles domestic rate or they can be cut down from a strip of three that typically paid the 15c rate to France. However, they invariably have faults or margins that are cut in due to the close spacing between subjects on the plate. This pair, with full margins and completely sound, is very much the exception and is a wonderful condition rarity.
With 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; pairs unpriced in SMQ). This is only pair in the P.S.E. Population Report to achieve this grade with none higher.
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Enormous margins all around including bottom sheet margin and portion of adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color, town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IN THE FINEST CONDITION POSSIBLE.
The 10c Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). For some reason, they were usually trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies. This example, with its enormous margins, is an extreme exception to the rule.
With 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,800.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only four others share this grade. In our opinion, this deserves a grade of either Superb 98 Jumbo or Gem 100 (see lot 3049).
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Huge even margins all around, deep rich color on crisp paper, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves design characteristics clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IMPERFORATE.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,475.00 as 95, $4,800.00 as 98). While five stamps have graded higher at 98 (and one at 98J), this stamp, with Jumbo margins, is among the most striking we have encountered and, in our opinion, deserves a Superb 98 Jumbo grade.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Jumbo margins all around, gorgeous color, cancelled by circular datestamp and red boxed "Aachen Franco" transitEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE AND STRIKING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1855 TYPE II WITH A COLORFUL COMBINATION OF CANCELS. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1982 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98). This is one of six to achieve this grade with none higher. Frankly, this is a Gem 100 stamp, plain and simple (see lot 3049).
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Horizontal pair, Jumbo margins all around including parts of adjoining stamps at bottom, deep shade on bright white paper, light grid cancels, Extremely Fine Gem pair, superb in every respect, with 2003 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; pairs unpriced in SMQ), this is the highest grade awarded to a pair and no others share this grade
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Colossal margins capturing portions of the adjoining stamps on three sides, incredible depth of color on fresh paper, neat grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100. A TRULY SUPERB STAMP IN ALL RESPECTS.
The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult. There are no other used 100's recorded in the P.S.E. Population Report even for the Type II (Scott 14) which is of approximately equal availability to the Type III.
With 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,300.00 as 98). Only two other used Type III's share this grade (including the stamp offered in lot 3050) and none has graded higher
10c Yellow Green, Ty. III (15). Huge even margins including portion of the adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color, town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult. There are no other used 100's recorded in the P.S.E. Population Report even for the Type II (Scott 14) which is of approximately equal availability to the Type III.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,300.00 as 98). Only two other used Type III's share this grade (including the stamp offered in lot 3049) and none has graded higher
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large to huge margins, rich color, bright paper nicely complemented by red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $725.00)
10c Yellowish Green, Ty. III (15). Horizontal pair, Jumbo margins including portions of adjoining stamps at top, rich color, New Orleans datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb pair, with 1985, 2003 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; pairs unpriced in SMQ), this is the highest grade awarded and sole example to achieve this grade
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 65L1, recut at top, enormous margins all around, beautiful rich color and proof-like impression, fresh paper, neat strike of 1857 year-dated cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IV WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. AN OUTSTANDING CONDITION RARITY AND THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE.
10c 1855 Type IV stamps are defined by the recut of one or both outer lines at the top or bottom of the design. Type IV stamps come from only seven scattered positions on the left pane and one position on the right pane of Plate 1. Therefore, only 4% of the stamps from Plate 1 are Type IV.
With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $12,200.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other example has achieved it.
12c Black (17). Phenomenally huge margins all around including parts of seven adjoining stamps, bright shade and clear impression, grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED SINGLES OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE EXTANT.
Ex Mayer as a pair. With 1981, 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates as a pair, this the left stamp. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,900.00 as 98). Only two others have achieved the ultimate Gem 100 Jumbo grade (both used)
12c Black (17). Position 91R1 with bottom left interpane corner sheet margins and centerline, huge margins on other sides including portion of adjoining stamp above, bright shade on brilliant white paper, bold grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM A CORNER-MARGIN POSITION. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1997 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,900.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). While this stamp has received a very high P.S.E. grade, equaled by only eight and exceeded by only three, this is an instance where numerical grading simply cannot do justice to the stunning appearance of a stamp.