Sale 1075 — 2014 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 26 June, 2014
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. Ib-Ib/IIIA (5A-5A/8A). Positions 3-4/13R1E, top stamps Type Ib with design complete at top and almost complete at bottom, large margins to barely in on Type IIIA stamp, small scissors-cut between top stamps at bottom, tied by clear single strike of blue "Eugene City O.T. Jun. 23" Oregon Territory circular datestamp on blue 1855 folded letter to Steilacoom, Washington Territory, addressed to Mrs. J. B. DevoreEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE 1 EARLY MULTIPLE COMBINING TWO TYPE Ib STAMPS AND A TYPE IIIa STAMP, TIED BY A BLUE DATESTAMP FROM OREGON TERRITORY ON A LETTER TO WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Eugene City lies on the Willamette River in Oregon. Steilacoom is in the Puget Sound area of Washington, and the first post office in Washington Territory was established there in 1852. It was also the first town incorporated in Washington Territory by the Territorial Legislature. In 1855, when this was sent, Steilacoom was experiencing disruptions due to Indian attacks.
Prior to the discovery of this cover in recent years, there was no example of a rare 1c 1851 Issue paying the 3c rate in the territories of the Pacific Northwest.
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Plate 4, large sheet margin beautifully showing the all-important complete plumes at bottom, other sides ample to just clear at top, deep rich color, town datestamp cancelVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE TYPE Ia WITH A BOTTOM SHEET MARGIN THAT ALLOWS THE FULL TYPE CHARACTERISITICS TO BE SEEN.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The extremely rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).
With 1964 P.F. certificate. Two backstamps do not show thru when stamp is on an album page
1c Blue, Ty. II, Cracked Plate (7 var). Positions 1-3R2, horizontal strip of three, large margins to just in, mostly scissors-separated between stamps, showing prominent plate crack between second and third stamp, tied by "Troy N.Y. Nov. 10, 1856" circular datestamps on buff cover with scientific instrument maker's blind embossed corner card depicting surveying equipment to Lyons N.Y., trivial edgewear, Very Fine, a beautiful example of the major plate crack on an illustrated cover
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (8). Huge margins to full at top, portion of adjoining Ty. IIIa stamp at right, intense shade and impression, light pen cancel leaves entire design and the type characteristics clearly visible, faint corner creases at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION PRODUCED THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III, WITH THE WIDEST BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.
Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2).
Guide dots were used to accurately lay out the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).
With 1967 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as handstamp cancel.
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Jumbo margins all around including significant portions of all eight adjoining stamps, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Iowa City circular datestampsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IV, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,200.00 as 98). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and only eight others share it.
3c Claret, Ty. I (11). Mint N.H., Position 70R4, huge margins all around incl. "Toppan, Carpenter" portion of imprint at right and part of five adjoining stamps, brilliant color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 3-CENT CLARET TYPE I WITH IMPRINT SHEET MARGIN AT RIGHT.
Although the 3c 1851 is by no means a rare stamp, there are very few examples in Mint Never-Hinged condition. Considering the Mint N.H. state of the stamp offered here, together with its extraordinary margins and part imprint, we will make the bold claim that this is the finest 3c 1851 extant with original gum.
2001 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Block of six, huge margins to clear including top right corner sheet margins, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING LIGHTLY-HINGED CORNER SHEET MARGIN BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1851 3-CENT TYPE II. A PHENOMENAL BLOCK IN EVERY RESPECT.
Multiples of this quality have almost always been broken to obtain Gem-quality singles. We wonder how much longer this multiple will exist. Scott Retail as block of four and pair
3c Dull Red, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (11A var). Positions 74/84/94L5L, vertical strip of three, huge margins to full including part of adjoining stamps at left, each stamp shows the crack at right, rich color, blue grid cancels, few toned spots on backVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS REPORTED TO BE THE ONLY STRIP TO SHOW THE ENTIRE PLATE CRACK.
According to the Chase book, six examples of so-called major cracks are known from the first nine "imperforate" plates. Of these six, four are found on the late state of Plate 5.
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). The famous Chase corner copy, Position 10R2 (recut button variety) with full corner sheet margins measuring 17-1/2 mm at top and 16 mm at right, neatly tied by "Urbana O. Mar. 18" circular datestamp on small cover to Peoria Ill.EXTREMELY FINE AND TRULY REMARKABLE. CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE FINEST SINGLE COPY OF THE 3-CENT 1851 STAMP ON OR OFF COVER.
The margins on this stamp are the largest recorded for the 3c 1851. One other copy, also on cover, has comparably sized sheet margins, but it is cut into on one other side and is not nearly so fine as this Chase example.
Ex Chase, Grunin and Zoellner. Offered for the first time since 1998.
3c Dull Red, Ty. I, Vertical One-Third "Trisect" Used as 1c (11 var). Top right trisected stamp attached to vertical strip of three, each cancelled by neat manuscript "X" with matching "Garrote Cal May 31st" postmark on buff cover to East Brooklyn N.Y., trisect with negligible corner crease, some slight edgewearVERY FINE. A CHOICE AND EXTREMELY RARE USE OF A 3-CENT 1851 TRISECTED STAMP, PAYING ONE-CENT OF THE 10-CENT TRANSCONTINENTAL RATE.
The census of 3c 1851 bisects, published by David Beals in Chronicle 76 and updated by Stanley M. Piller in Chronicle 136 and 137, contains a total of 16 covers. Of these, one is the strip of four bisects used from Milton, Massachusetts, seven were bisected (or in this case trisected) for use as 1c stamps to pay part of the 10c transcontinental rate, and eight were bisected to pay the 1c circular rate.
Ex Kramer and from our 1982 Rarities sale. Illustrated in Chronicle no. 136 (p. 254). Pre-1982 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. Scott lists bisects of the Ty. II (11A) used as a 1c, but does not list the Ty. I (11) as a bisect or any trisects used as 1c.
10c Black, Ty. I, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (13TC1). On 42 x 48mm card, bright shade, showing layout lines from the dieEXTREMELY FINE AND FLAWLESS EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE TRIAL COLOR PROOF FOR THE 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE.
Neinken notes in his book on the 10c stamp that it is likely that design and production of the 10c 1855 was rushed. The new 10c rate went into effect on April 1, 1855, and the new stamps were not placed into use until May. The die proof shows slips of the engraver's tool, and the overall layout is slightly skewed.
The only die proof trial color is Black, and our sale records contain four different full-size Black die proofs: 1) 46 x 58mm, ex Finkelburg (Sale 816, lot 1093); 2) 62 x 77mm, ex Finkelburg (Sale 816, lot 1092); 3) 42 x 49mm, Sale 909, lot 1052; and 42 x 48mm, the proof offered here. We also record one cut-to-shape Black die proof.
10c Green, Ty. I., Large Die Proof on India (13P1). 41 x 54mm, sharp impression and deep rich color, clearly showing layout lines from the dieEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE IN THE ISSUED COLOR.
Neinken notes in his book on the 10c stamp that it is likely that design and production of the 10c 1855 was rushed. The new 10c rate went into effect on April 1, 1855, and the new stamps were not placed into use until May. The die proof shows slips of the engraver's tool, and the overall layout is slightly skewed.
Our sale records contain only two full-size die proofs in Green: 1) 41 x 54mm, the proof offered here; and 2) 97 x 102mm, ex Finkelburg (Sale 816, lot 1091). We also record four cut-to-shape die proofs in Green.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Huge margins all around including parts of five adjoining stamps, deep rich color, unobtrusive strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE II, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2009 and 2014 P.F. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo). This is the only example certified by the P.F. to achieve this grade. P.S.E. has certified none at this grade.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, tied by "San Francisco Cal. 30 Jun." (1855) circular datestamp on light buff cover to Mrs. E. S. Mulford in Patchogue, Long Island, N.Y., imprinted "Via Nicaragua" at top (prepared by the California Penny Post Co.) with manuscript "too late for Nicaragua" applied by company agent indicating this missed the Vanderbilt Line sailing via Nicaragua, California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 5c Blue (34L4) affixed at left to prepay 5c rate for delivery to one of the Vanderbilt Line steamers, docketing on back confirms 1855 use, opened a bit irregularly at right and neatly sealed, 5c with tiny scuff in left denominationVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF A 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE STAMP FROM CALIFORNIA. IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FIVE RECORDED INTACT COVERS BEARING THIS RARE SAN FRANCISCO LOCAL POST STAMP, OF WHICH FOUR ARE USED WITH THE 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE.
This remarkable cover is the earliest recorded date of use of the 10c 1855 Issue from the West Coast. Depending on the date the first supply of 10c 1855 stamps arrived in San Francisco, this June 30 date might be the earliest possible use of the 10c on mail bound for the East Coast via Panama. An analysis of the stamp production dates and sailing data follows.
The date of issue of the 10c stamps has been reported as May 4, 1855 (Luff book) or May 10, 1855 (A Description of U.S. Stamps and Postal Cards, published by the Post Office Department). The Travers Papers indicate that the stamps were ready for delivery a few days after the intended May 1 issue date. The earliest reported use of the 10c stamp from any post office is May 12 (Type II) from Eastport, Maine. It would have taken 25 to 30 days for the first supply of the new stamps to make their way to the West Coast via Panama. There are two possible sailings.
The USMSC George Law sailed from New York on May 5, 1855, and arrived in Aspinwall on May 16. The PMSS Golden Gate left Panama around May 18 and arrived in San Francisco on May 30. If the stamps were available as early as May 31, then they could have been used on mail carried on two PMSS steamers from San Francisco: the John L. Stephens on June 2 and the Golden Gate on June 16; however, no 10c covers are recorded for those sailings.
It is more likely that the 10c stamps were on the May 21 sailing of the USMSC Illinois, which arrived in Aspinwall on May 30. The PMSS Sonora left Panama around June 1 and arrived in San Francisco on June 15. The stamps were probably not in circulation by the time the Golden Gate sailed on June 16.
The sender of this cover paid 5c for the California Penny Post Company to bring it to the wharf for mailing aboard the next outbound steamship on the Vanderbilt Line's route via Nicaragua. The manuscript notation "too late for Nicaragua" indicates that this missed the June 30 sailing of Vanderbilt's Cortes, which arrived in San Juan del Sur on July 13. This Nicaragua sailing would have left early in the day to beat the PMSS sailing via Panama. Had this cover been on the Cortes, it would have been postmarked on arrival at the New York City post office (Frajola Census No. 702 was carried on the Cortes). Instead, the Penny Post Co. brought the cover to the San Francisco post office, where it was postmarked on June 30, then bagged for the same-day departure of the PMSS Sonora, which arrived in Panama on July 15 after a stop in Acapulco. It was then carried from Aspinwall to New York on the USMSC George Law, which departed July 16 and arrived on July 25.
The California Penny Post Co. charged 2c for carrying a letter to the post office for an ocean-mail departure via Panama, which explains why a company agent wrote "too late for Nicaragua" on this cover. The Frajola census records only four covers with this combination of the 10c 1855 and 5c adhesive, plus one other 5c Penny Post adhesive cover with a 3c 1851 (http://www.rfrajola.com/cpp/cpp.htm ).
Illustrated in Neinken 10c book (p. 13). Ex Eno, Jessup, Pearce, Haas and Kapiloff.
10c Green, Ty. III-II (15-14). Positions 2-3L1, combination pair, left stamp Ty. III from misplaced transfer position, right stamp Ty. II, large even margins, used with 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9), Position 41L1L, recut twice at bottom, once at top, enormous margins all around including parts of two adjoining stamps, tied by "Trenton N.J. Sep. 2?, 1856" circular datestamp on small cover to Lieut. Earl English, U.S. Sloop of War Levant, care of American Consul in Hong Kong, sender's routing "Via English Mail Steamer" but prepaid for and sent via American Packet, red "New-York Am. Pkt. Sep. 27" transit, manuscript "1/4" for British transit, Liverpool (Oct. 10) and Hong Kong (date unreadable) transit backstampsEXTREMELY FINE. AN UNUSUAL AND SUPERB FRANKING FOR THE 21-CENT AMERICAN PACKET RATE TO HONG KONG. CARRIED BY THE COLLINS LINE AND DELIVERED TO LIEUTENANT EARL ENGLISH ON BOARD THE U.S. SLOOP OF WAR LEVANT.
Under the command of U.S. Navy officer William N. Smith and with Lieut. Earl English aboard, the U.S.S. Levant sailed on Nov. 13, 1855, for Rio de Janeiro, the Cape of Good Hope, and Hong Kong, where she arrived to join the East India Squadron on May 12, 1856. On July 1 the U.S. Commissioner to China boarded the Levant for transport to Shanghai, arriving on August 1. At the outbreak of hostilities between the British and Chinese, the Levant arrived in Whampoa on October 28. The Levant took part in protecting American interests, and, in November 1856 saw action during the American amphibious assault on Chinese fortifications on the Pearl River. The Levant received the major part of the Chinese bombardment, with 22 shot holes in her hull and rigging, one man dead, and six injured. The Levant cruised between Hong Kong and Shanghai until she departed Hong Kong on December 7, 1857, arriving at the Boston Navy Yard on April 6, 1858 (source: Wikipedia).
This cover to Lieut. Earl English was carried on the Collins Line Atlantic, departing New York City on Sep. 27, 1856, and arriving in Liverpool on Oct. 9.
Ex Vogel
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, gorgeous color, large even margins, tied by blue grid cancel and "New-York Oct. 3" circular datestamp on top third of 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10) with "Wells Fargo Paid Over our California and Coast Routes" printed frankEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV ON A FRESH WELLS FARGO FRANKED 3-CENT NESBITT PIECE.
With 2013 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, huge margins including large bottom sheet margin, detailed impression on crisp paper, tied by grids, "Sherburne N.Y. Oct. 1" (1851) circular datestamp on buff cover to London, England, red "3" credit handstamp, red British markings including large "L" in circle tying pair, cover with slight edgewearEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EARLY USE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE AND ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING PAIRS ON OR OFF COVER.
Carried on the Cunarder Europa, which departed New York Oct. 1 and arrived Liverpool Oct. 12.
Ex Newbury, Grunin and Hill. With 1987 P.F. certificate.
12c Black (17). Two horizontal pairs, one with interpane bottom left corner sheet margin showing full centerline, large margins other sides, other pair large margins to clear (slightly overlapping other pair so only three margins confirmed), the latter pair removed by sender from another cover (backing paper still adhering), tied by red grid cancels, matching "New York 38 Mar. 22" double-rate credit datestamp on 1854 cover to Dublin, Ireland, deep red "America Liverpool Paid AP 3 54" datestamp, trivial edgewearVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER TO IRELAND, BEARING TWO PAIRS OF THE 1851 12-CENT BLACK PAYING THE DOUBLE 24-CENT RATE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE CORNER SHEET-MARGIN PAIR. A PHENOMENAL COVER FROM NUMEROUS FAMOUS COLLECTIONS.
This cover was carried on the Cunarder Asia, which departed New York March 22 and arrived in Liverpool on April 3.
Ex Brown, Brooks, Moody, Caspary, Grunin and Zoellner. Signed Ashbrook.
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Bottom left diagonal half, huge margin at left, large to in at bottom with scissors-cut, tied across the cut by "New York & Phila. R.R. May 11" railroad route agent's circular datestamp on 1852 folded letter datelined in New York to Georgetown D.C., double 3c rate, light vertical file folds well clear of stampVERY FINE. A RARE BISECTED USE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON AN INTRA-EAST COAST COVER AND ONE OF THREE KNOWN TO US WITH THE "N.YORK & PHILA. R.R." RAILROAD ROUTE AGENT'S DATESTAMP.
Ex Gibson (Christie's R.L May 20, 1984 sale)