Sale 1090 — United States, Possessions and Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 17-19 December, 2014
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 6-17)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Disturbed original gum harshly described on accompanying certificate as "small part" but covers nearly the entire back, deep rich Plate 4 color, ample to clear margins all around showing full plumes at bottom, the defining characteristics of the type, light diagonal crease at center and small corner margin creases at top left and top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS.
The rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom and truncated design at top, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic). We have only offered approximately ten original-gum singles and a pair as part of a block of four in all of our Rarities sales and during the past 20 years of auctions. Of these, only the block and four singles, including the one offered here, have margins completely clear of the design.
With 2014 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 24L1E with major double transfer at bottom, large to enormous margins all around, light blue circular datestamp cancel and magnificent Plate 1 Early shade, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, in addition to the three inverted transfer positions, there are eight major double transfer positions on Plate 1 Early (24L, 25L, 27L, 61L, 12R, 15R, 22R and 65R), ex Kirke, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,850.00), the P.S.E. Population Report does not break down the 1c 1851's by plate, we are quite sure that the more desirable and scarcer Plate 1E stamps are much rarer in high grades than their Type II counterparts from Plate 2
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Top row of Plate 2, large margins all around, rich color, bold grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $800.00)
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 16L1E, large margins to full at upper left, beautiful deep shade and impression, grid cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Neinken and Wagshal
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 3, unused (no gum), large margins to just in, rich color, small surface scrape at top center, otherwise Fine, rare in unused condition, ex Wagshal, with 1980 and 2010 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail with original gum $9,000.00
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 1R3, huge margins to clear including interpane and top sheet margins, radiant color, neat strike of Sacramento Cal. circular datestamp, tiny toned spot in sheet margin at left, Extremely Fine, a wonderful Plate 3 position, ex Vogel
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). A very choice group from Plates 1E, 2 and 3, incl. Positions 82-83R1E horizontal pair, large margins to barely in along top left, bright shade, blue Lynchburg Va. circular datestamp, Very Fine, also singles from Position 26L2, large to huge margins, New Orleans circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, Position 70R2, huge margins to clear at top, Very Fine and choice, Position 44L2, large even margins, light strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine, Position 97R2, large to huge margins, tied by grids and "Westchester Pa. Sep. 5, 1856" circular datestamp on small piece, Extremely Fine, finally Plate 3 single, full to large margins, Very Fine and choice, an outstanding group, most ex Wagshal
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Two stamps from the top row of Plate 4, including Position 2L4, other unplated, large margins to just touched, neat strikes of circular datestamp, few small imperfections, Very Fine appearance, ex Vogel
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, E Relief, huge and even margins all around which clearly shows the characteristics of the type, intense shade and impression, neat strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING AND SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, the majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. This stamp is notable for its wide breaks at both top and bottom.
With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,250.00).
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Position 11L4, B Relief, huge margins including left sheet margin, part of adjoining stamp at top, clear to slightly in at right, bold New York circular datestamp, Very Fine, the bottom outer line of this position wore away over time, this late impression shows breaks in both top and bottom lines, ex Wagshal, with 1996 and 2010 P.F. certificates as well as a note from Neinken confirming the type and plating
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 81L1L, triple transfer, one inverted, large margins including part of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, light strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Wagshal
1c Blue, Ty. II, IV (7, 9). Group of 15 stamps, three best are No. 9, incl. Position 10L1L with top right interpane margin with centerline and guide dot, unusual cork cancel, Very Fine, Position 5R1L, with top sheet margin, neat grid cancel, Extremely Fine Ty. IV stamp from a position that produced Ty. Ib on early state of the plate, also Positions 66-67R1L, horizontal pair, huge margins including parts of four adjoining stamps, tied by "Kingston R.I. Nov. 4" circular datestamp on small blue piece, small scissors-cut in margin at upper right, left stamp Extremely Fine, finally group of plated stamps from Plate 1 Late and Plate 2, incl. Position 71L and 91L (double and triple inverted double transfers), Plate 2 Position 89R (major double transfer), two strips of three, the group generally Fine-Very Fine
3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. I (11). Huge margins all around, rich Brownish Carmine color, neat town cancel,Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used stamp, small green handstamp on reverse, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $475.00)
5c Red Brown (12). C Relief, original gum, barest trace of hinging, large to huge margins all around incl. trace of the adjoining stamp at right, intense color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE TWO FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT FACE-DIFFERENT DESIGNS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
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.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound original-gum condition. The spacing between stamps was very narrow, leaving little margin for error when separating the stamps, which explains why so few examples are known with four margins. When other factors such as gum, color and impression are taken into consideration, the rarity and beauty of the stamp offered here may be fully appreciated. The only stamp that rivals this example was in our sale of the Scarsdale collection (Sale 918, lot 9, realized $57,500 hammer).
Ex Seymour and Whitman. With 1985, 1990, 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $60,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only original-gum example to achieve this grade (the next highest is VF 80 and the P.S.E. Population Report lists only four original-gum stamps in any condition).
5c Red Brown (12). Full margins, rich color, New Orleans circular datestamp, Very Fine
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large to huge margins, rich color, bold town cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Klein
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Disturbed part original gum, three large to huge margins, ample at top, wonderful deep rich color and sharp impression, light horizontal crease, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large even margins, bold New Orleans circular datestamp, dark color, Very Fine and choice, ex Cole, with 2003 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 76L1, recut at bottom, large to huge margins incl. trace of adjoining stamp at bottom, rich color, small diagonal crease at top right, Extremely Fine appearance
12c Black (17). Unused (no gum), three large margins, top margin ample, rich shade and sharp impression, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, three cancels incl. blue circular datestamp, scarce orange datestamp and a red "19", close to full margins, some toning on reverse just shows thru in a few places, Very Fine appearing and colorful