Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 5c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 27-39)
5c Brick Red (27). Beautifully centered with perfs clear of the design at virtually every point, vibrant Brick Red color, light 1859 circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL 1857 5-CENT BRICK RED WITH OUTSTANDING COLOR, CENTERING AND LIGHT CANCELLATION.
With 2006 P.F., 2005 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,250.00)
5c Red Brown (28). Perfect centering, beautiful warm shade on bright paper, unobtrusive cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. 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 deep rich color, is a true condition rarity.
With 2000 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other example has achieved this grade
5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Essentially perfect centering, outstanding deep rich color in the 1858 shade, fresh paper, neat New Orleans circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT BRIGHT RED BROWN WITH INCREDIBLE DEPTH OF COLOR AND EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING.
This stamp is, in our opinion, further evidence that the 1858 5c printing produced the deeper shades of Red Brown, Bright Red Brown and Indian Red (and probably the Brick Red as a mistake in ink mixture).
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade
5c Indian Red (28A). Wide margins and precise centering with perforations clear of the design on all sides, magnificent rich true Indian Red color on bright white paper, neat New York circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED IS AN INCALCULABLE RARITY IN THIS STUNNING QUALITY. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE SOLE EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 1995 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $20,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
5c Brown (29). Perfect centering, rich color and detailed impression, neat circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1859 5-CENT TYPE I BROWN IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION.
With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $10,500.00). Only two examples have achieved this desirable grade with none higher
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Beautifully centered, deep rich color on fresh paper, light but clear red town cancel struck at lower right leaving entire design unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE II ORANGE BROWN.
The Orange Brown is much scarcer used than unused. Examples in this choice sound used condition are rare.
With 2002 P.F., 1998 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,150.00). Only three examples have been graded higher (at 95) and this is the only stamp to achieve this grade
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Choice margins and centering, rich color and detailed impression, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F., 1996 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,700.00).
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Brilliant color and crisp impression on fresh paper, neat strike of blue circular datestamp, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the top or bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as soundness are taken into consideration.
With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded, and only four others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2008. In our opinion, this 10c Plate 1 stamp has margins wide enough to qualify for the Jumbo appellation.
10c Green, Ty. II (32). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color on fresh paper, bold strike of New York Ocean Mail circular datestamp with integral gridEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE II WITH A DESIRABLE NEW YORK OCEAN MAIL CANCEL.
With 1995 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00 with normal cancel). Only two have graded higher
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Wide and beautifully balanced margins, deep rich color on fresh paper, beautifully complemented by vivid red "New York Paid May 30" exchange office datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE III WITH AN UNUSUAL COLORFUL CANCEL.
With 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,950.00). Eleven examples have equaled this grade while only three have graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report. We wonder if any others in that group could match this stamp for pure eye appeal
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 76L1, recut at bottom, essentially perfect centering, lovely rich color with a light circular datestamp cancel, clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 10-CENT TYPE IV WITH BALANCED MARGINS AND A LIGHT TOWN CANCEL.
10c 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 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $14,500.00). According to the P.S.E. Population Report, this is one of only three used examples to have achieved this grade, which is the highest awarded.
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, pretty color and detailed impression, face-free strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 10-CENT TYPE IV 1857 ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $5,500.00). Only three examples have been graded higher (at 95, including the previous lot) and this is one of only five to achieve this grade
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Extra wide margins and essentially perfect centering, lovely bright color, part strike of New York Ocean Mail circular datestamp with integral grid, Extremely Fine Gem, a desirable stamp combining perfect centering with a scarce cancel, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,400.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Wide well-balanced margins, rich color, cancelled by red "New York Paid May 20" exchange office datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $160.00)
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Choice centering, deep rich color nicely complemented by blue Wells, Fargo & Co. double-circle datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 1988, 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Positions 93-94L2, horizontal pair, left stamp Curl in "E" of "Cents", right stamp Dash in Forehead, rich color, wide margins, grid cancels, Fine-Very Fine pair containing two interesting plate varieties, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as the listed 93L2 variety and normal single
12c Black (36). Intense shade and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with perforations clear of design on all sides, face-free strike of blue target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 1. THIS STAMP IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE WITH SUCH WONDERFUL CENTERING, IMPRESSION AND CANCELLATION.
Ex Drucker, Hinrichs and Dauer. With 1988 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $9,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others have achieved this grade
12c Black, Plate 3 (36b). Extra wide margins all around with perfs far from framelines, intense shade and impression which clearly shows double transfer at bottom, neat cancels leave design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1860 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PROMINENT DOUBLE TRANSFER AT BOTTOM.
Ex Floyd and Tahoe. With 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,950.00 with no premium for the double transfer). Only one stamp has been graded higher (at 98). Considering the extraordinary margin width -- almost unheard of in this issue -- and the centering and face-free cancel, we consider this a very strong 95, if not a 98.
24c Gray Lilac (37). Precise centering with wide margins, bright color on fresh paper, perfect strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel and trace of red transitEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS ISSUE IS RARELY ENCOUNTERED WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING CENTERING.
The 24c stamps were not printed and put into use until July 1860 (earliest documented use is July 7). The issue was demonetized thirteen months later. The 24c denomination matched the U.S.-G.B. treaty rate, and the stamp was primarily used on letters to England. These circumstances of a short life and limited use, combined with Toppan Carpenter's typically erratic perforating, are the reasons why superb used examples of the 24c 1860 are so difficult to find.
With 1992 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share this grade.
30c Orange (38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, neat strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY 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 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 high values 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 1984 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only two have graded higher
90c Blue (39). Gorgeous centering with wide margins all around, deep rich color and sharp impression, bold strike of deep red grid cancel, bottom left corner perf slightly rounded, called "short" on most recent certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE SHORT-LIVED 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE -- THE FIRST UNITED STATES 90-CENT STAMP.
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 bearing the 90c are scarce. 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. This example is a rare and highly desirable exception.
With 2003 and 2005 P.F. certificates which do not mention the short corner perf. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $13,800.00). Only three examples have achieved this grade and only two have graded higher.