Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues (Scott 146-218)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
151
2c Red Brown (146). Pretty shade on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 95, $620.00 as 98), only four have graded higher (at 98)
20
250
152
6c Carmine (148). Brilliant color, wonderful centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Star cancel and trace of red transit cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $340.00 as 95, $1,000.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (100J, offered in our Kirke sale) and one other shares this grade
35
375
Back to Top153
7c Vermilion (149). Jumbo margins all around, circle of wedges cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Morris and Mayer, with 1986 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,525.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 100) and one other shares this grade
100
550
Back to Top154
10c Brown (150). Bright shade and crisp impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $325.00), only two have graded higher
35
275
Back to Top155
12c Dull Violet (151). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, nicely complemented by red New York Foreign Mail 8-Point Star cancel, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1871 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE, WITH WIDE MARGINS, GORGEOUS COLOR AND A RED NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCELLATION. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
220
4,500
Back to Top156
15c Bright Orange (152). Vibrant color, choice centering, bold strike of cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1999, 2006 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $450.00), only two have graded higher
220
325
Back to Top157
24c Purple (153). Beautifully centered with lovely strong color, neat circle of wedges cancel with a trace of another in red, a beautiful stamp exhibiting the three C's -- exceptional color, cancel, and centering -- an Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one has graded higher (at 95J)
230
700
Back to Top158
30c Black (154). Intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering with Jumbo margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,950.00 as 95, $5,200.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Kirke sale) and two others share this grade.
300
1,500
Back to Top159
90c Carmine (155). Brilliant color, detailed impression, wide margins, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00), only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Kirke sale) and five others share this grade.
350
1,500
Back to Top160
3c Green (158). Intense shade on bright paper, massive margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $125.00 as 95, $425.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and three others share this grade
1
170
Back to Top161
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Vivid color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,700.00), only two have graded higher (both offered in our Kirke sale) and none share this grade
90
650
Back to Top162
10c Brown (161). Rich color and detailed impression nicely complemented by blue target cancel, unusually choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a wonderful stamp in every respect, with 1996 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $840.00), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and none share this grade
26
1,300
Back to Top163
12c Blackish Violet (162). Deep rich color on crisp paper, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Pinwheel cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $740.00), none have graded higher
140
0
Back to Top164
15c Yellow Orange (163). Intense shade, well-balanced margins, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $340.00)
160
325
Back to Top165
30c Gray Black (165). Enormous Jumbo margins, incredibly well-centered, bold bluish black St. Louis Mo. balloon-type circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $825.00 as 95, $2,500.00 as 98), one other shares this grade and only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Kirke sale), this statistic has not changed since 2008
140
1,800
Back to Top166
30c Gray Black (165). Bright shade and crisp impression, gorgeous centering with wide balanced margins, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with tremendous visual appeal, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
140
900
Back to Top167
90c Rose Carmine (166). Brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, large grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only four others share it
300
1,300
Back to Top168
2c Vermilion (178). Beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, vibrant color, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (Weiss Type GE-EP3), Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $60.00 as 90, $280.00 as 95)
15
225
Back to Top169
5c Blue (179). Rich color, wide and balanced margins, cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $330.00), only three have graded higher, a statistic that has not changed since 2008
25
350
Back to Top170
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, absolutely enormous margins, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with massive dimensions, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $590.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it
6
1,000
Back to Top171
2c Vermilion (183). Vibrant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, bold strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $530.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it
5
850
Back to Top172
2c Vermilion (183). Vibrant color, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, bold strike of New York registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $165.00 as 95, $530.00 as 98), only four have graded higher (the highest at 98J)
5
130
Back to Top173
3c Green (184). Mathematically precise centering with massive margins all around, rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. IT HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE.
This stamp, with its mathematically perfect centering, Jumbo margins, long perforations, detailed impression and fresh color, is truly remarkable.
Ex Tahoe. With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $425.00 as 98). Only two stamps share this grade -- the other was recently offered in our sale of the Natalee Grace Collection. This is also one of only six used Bank Note stamps (five different Scott numbers) between Scott 134 and 218 to achieve this perfect grade
1
750
Back to Top174
5c Blue (185). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, bold quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $315.00)
17
225
Back to Top175
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Wonderfully well-centered, handsome color with light cork cancel and circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, the 1879 10c American Bank Note Co. issue without secret mark is far more difficult to obtain in sound and centered condition than its secret mark counterpart, with 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00), only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Kirke sale) and one other shares this grade
27
1,100
Back to Top176
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Intense shade and detailed impression, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,150.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
32
600
Back to Top177
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Deep rich color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of "Paid" in double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $365.00 as 95, $1,150.00 as 98), only two have graded higher
32
425
Back to Top178
15c Red Orange (189). Vivid color and crisp impression, absolutely massive margins, face-free strike of registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $960.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 100J, offered in our recent Natalee Grace sale where it realized $3,750 hammer) and none share this grade
27
1,300
Back to Top179
30c Full Black (190). Intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, face-free strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00 as 95, $2,100.00 as 98), only three have graded higher (at 98) and two others share this grade
100
1,100
Back to Top180
90c Carmine (191). Brilliant color and paper, long and full perforations all around, bold registry oval cancels, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $850.00), only four have graded higher
375
750
Back to Top181
5c Yellow Brown (205). Rich color and detailed impression, beautiful centering, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $650.00), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and none share this grade
12
0
Back to Top182
1c Gray Blue (206). Rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, bold cork and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $140.00 as 95, $360.00 as 98), only two have graded higher
1
180
Back to Top183
6c Rose (208). Brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, light strike of purple target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $250.00), only five have graded higher
113
300
Back to Top184
10c Brown (209). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, brilliant color, bold strike of cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $510.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share this grade
6
375
Back to Top185
2c Red Brown (210). Beautifully centered with Jumbo margins, bright color, light oval numeral grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $110.00 as 95, $360.00 as 98)
0
275
Back to Top186
4c Blue Green (211). Extraordinarily wide margins (even for this issue), lightly cancelled, intense shade and impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $800.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. The two next-highest grades are 95J (one) and 95 (one).
27
0
Back to Top187
1c Ultramarine (212). Brilliant color and paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $135.00 as 95, $390.00 as 98), only one has graded higher and two others share this grade
2
225
Back to Top188
2c Green (213). Awesome Jumbo margins and flawless centering, choice rich color on bright white paper, light cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $360.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it
0
375
Back to Top189
3c Vermilion (214). Radiant color, unusually wide and balanced margins, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $210.00 as 90, $415.00 as 95)
60
300
Back to Top190
4c Carmine (215). Jumbo margins, brilliant color on bright paper, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $265.00 as 95, $770.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98 and offered in our Kirke sale) and none share this grade
27
900
Back to Top191
5c Indigo (216). Jumbo margins and well-centered, choice dark color on bright paper, light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $90.00 as 90, $235.00 as 95)
17
250
Back to Top192
30c Orange Brown (217). Essentially perfectly centered, rich color, New York circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $250.00)
120
275
Back to Top193
90c Purple (218). Rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of New York registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,650.00), this is the highest grade awarded to Scott 218 (eight others share it)
250
650
Back to Top194
1c-6c 1870-79 Bank Note Issues. Seven used stamps, each with graded P.S.E. certificate, including Nos. 145 (80J), 147 (90), 156 (90J), 157 (90J), 159 (90J), 186 (90) and 207 (90), fresh and Extremely Fine group, SMQ $452.00 without factoring in the Jumbos
111
425
Back to Top