9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1126 — The William H. Gross Collection: Hawaii
Sale Date — Sunday, 29 May, 2016
Category — 1859-65 Numeral Issues (Scott 18-24)
1863, 2c Black, Blue Gray (18). Plate 5-A, Type IX (Westerberg Position 9), unused (no gum), huge balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT HAWAIIAN NUMERAL ON BLUE GRAY WOVE PAPER. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
A Power Search review of the 142 unused and used singles offered in our past auctions reveals the rarity of this issue with four large margins.
Ex Caspary, Tows and Pietsch
1864, 1c Black (19). Plate 6-A, Types I-VI (Westerberg Positions 1-6), block of six, unused (no gum), huge margins to large, deep shade, few trivial toned specks in left margin, vertical crease at left in margin only, horizontal crease affects bottom rowEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1864 ONE-CENT NUMERAL ISSUE ON MEDIUM WHITE WOVE PAPER.
Ex Honolulu Advertiser. Scott value as block of four and a pair $3,900.00
1864, 1c Black (19). Plate 6-A, Types I-VI (Westerberg Positions 1-6), block of six, unused (no gum), huge margins to full, intense shade and impression, crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST BLOCKS OF THE 1864 ONE-CENT NUMERAL ISSUE ON MEDIUM WHITE WOVE PAPER IN EXISTENCE.
Most multiples of this issue tend to have smaller margins than the example offered here, or faults such as creases. Power Search did not locate any superior blocks.
Ex Caspary, Lilly and Pietsch. Scott value as block of four and a pair $3,900.00
1864, 1c Black (19). Plate 6-A, Types I-VI (Westerberg Positions 1-6), block of six, unused (no gum), large margins to full, detailed impression, light horizontal crease affects bottom stampsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND SCARCE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1864 ONE-CENT NUMERAL ISSUE ON MEDIUM WHITE WOVE PAPER.
Ex Atherton and Honolulu Advertiser. Scott value as block of four and a pair $3,900.00
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Hawaiian Postage” (21). Plate 9-A, Type II (Westerberg Position 10), large margins all around, tied by square grid cancel, used with United States 1861 10c Green (68), three well-centered singles, tied by cogwheel cancels, red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Oct. 7” (1865) circular datestamp on buff cover to Marburg, Germany, clear strikes of “San Francisco Cal. Oct. 28, 1865” double-circle datestamp and red “N.York Br. Pkt. 7 Paid Nov. 21” credit datestamp both tie 5c Numeral, blue “Aachen Franco” framed transit datestamp, Marburg receiving backstamp, small part of backflaps torn away when openedAN EXTREMELY FINE AND UNIQUE UNITED STATES-HAWAIIAN MIXED-FRANKING COVER. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF A NUMERAL ISSUE ON A COVER DESTINED BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE UNITED STATES.
The sender, whose style of manuscript indicates someone of European origin, was very specific in detailing the route intended for this letter. At upper left is a three-line directive, “per D. C. Murray to Sanfrancisco, Steamerline to New York, German Steamerline from New York.” The three U.S. 10c stamps prepaid the 28c rate for Prussian Closed Mail and the 2c ship captain’s fee. The sender carefully marked the letter “Franco” (Paid) at lower left.
As the sender directed, the cover was carried on the American bark D. C. Murray, which cleared Honolulu on October 7, 1865, and arrived in San Francisco on October 27. It was carried to New York by steamers via Panama and then datestamped at the foreign exchange office. Rather than wait for the next steamship departure from New York, the cover was sent to Boston for the November 22 departure of the Cunarder Cuba. At Queenstown the mail was off-loaded and taken to London, and then to Prussia via Ostend and Verviers, Belgium. It entered the Prussian mail system at Aachen and was rated for delivery to Marburg.
We know of no other example of a Numeral stamp used on cover to a destination outside of Hawaii or the United States. Although such usage was perfectly acceptable, as demonstrated by this cover, there must have been circumstances that resulted in the extreme rarity of surviving examples. We can think of two. The 1c and 2c Numerals were used almost exclusively on inter-island mail, and the 5c Numeral was not issued until late 1864 or early 1865 when a shortage of 5c stamps necessitated their provisional usage. Until this point it would be very unlikely that any 1c or 2c Numeral stamp would find its way on a cover sent to or through the United States, and, by 1864-65, when the 5c Numeral was printed, the Numerals were very popular with stamp collectors in Europe. Any cover reaching Europe that happened to display a 5c Numeral would be prone to assault from a philatelist looking to procure an exotic Hawaiian Numeral for his stamp album. Thus, we have in this cover a rare creation of circumstance and sole survivor of philatelic plundering.
Ex Krug, Haas and Honolulu Advertiser. Illustrated in Coburn’s Letters of Gold (page 135) and Gregory book (page II-278). Ashbrook signed note on back, describing this as “Quite a Rare Cover...This cover is a GEM and GENUINE.” With 1954 R.P.S. certificate
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Hawaiian Postage” (21). Plate 9-A, Type VII (Westerberg Position 3), large margins all around, cancelled by black square grid (impression ties thru paper), red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Feb. 10” (1866) circular datestamp, used with United States 1863 5c Brown (76), perfectly centered, tied by “San Francisco Cal. Feb. 23” double-circle datestamp and target cancel on cover to the editor of the California Farmer in San Francisco, U.S. rate to port of entry overpaid by 2cEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL MIXED FRANKING WITH THE 1865 5-CENT “HAWAIIAN ISLANDS” NUMERAL ISSUE AND UNITED STATES 5-CENT 1863 BROWN.
This cover was carried on the American steamship Ajax, which cleared Honolulu on February 10, 1866, and arrived in San Francisco on February 23.
Ex Caspary, Krug, Haas and Pietsch. Illustrated in the Gregory book (page II-171). Signed Ashbrook
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Hawaiian Postage” (21). Plate 9-A, Type I (Westerberg Position 9) with bottom border dropped more than usual, ample to large margins except margin nicked at top (touches frameline), tied by square grid cancel, used with United States 1863 5c Brown (76), fine impression, tied by cogwheel cancel, red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Oct. 7” (1865) circular datestamp, “San Francisco Cal. Oct. 28, 1865” double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Schenectady, N.Y., bottom flap missing and edge of cover barely nicked from opening (not mentioned on certificate)VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND HIGH-QUALITY HAWAIIAN AND UNITED STATES FIVE-AND-FIVE NUMERAL ISSUE MIXED FRANKING COVER.
This cover was carried on the American bark D. C. Murray, which cleared Honolulu on October 7, 1865, and arrived in San Francisco on October 27.
Ex Brown, Krug and Honolulu Advertiser. With 1995 P.F. certificate
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Hawaiian Postage” (21). Plate 9-A, Type X (Westerberg Position 2), large margins, small tear at left, tied by square grid cancel, used with United States 1863 5c Brown (76), perfs in, tied by target cancel, red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Oct. 7” (1865) circular datestamp, bold “San Francisco Cal. Oct. 27, 1865” double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Salt Lake City, Utah, forwarded to Huntsville with manuscript 3c due notation, slightly reduced at right and some minor wearFINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE MIXED-FRANKING NUMERAL ISSUE COVER TO SALT LAKE CITY.
This cover was carried on the American bark D. C. Murray, which cleared Honolulu on October 7, 1865, and arrived in San Francisco on October 27. From there it was carried overland to Salt Lake City.
Ex Krug and Honolulu Advertiser. Illustrated in the Gregory book (page II-194). Signed Ashbrook
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Interisland” (22). Plate 12-A, Types I-X (Westerberg Positions 2/4/6/8/10 at left and Positions 1/3/5/7/9 at right), straddle-pane block of ten, different shades, original gum, h.r. at top, large margins to just touched at top left, horizontal crease affects second row, few other light creases, small bleach age spot at bottom leftVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE STRADDLE-PANE MULTIPLE OF THE 1865 5-CENT “INTERISLAND” NUMERAL ISSUE.
Ex Ferrary and with his purple trefoil backstamp at bottom right, Admiral Harris, Lee, Van Dyke and Honolulu Advertiser. Scott value for two normal blocks and pair is $6,350.00
1865, 5c Blue, “Interisland”, Tete-Beche (22a). Plate 12-A, Types VI/IV/II/III/I (Westerberg Positions 2/4/6/8/10), the right columns of two plates in a tete-beche pane of ten, original gum, h.r., fresh, the two impressions in distinctly different shades, large margins to clear, horizontal crease between two rows, tiny thin speck in center straddle-pane margin, a few bleach age spotsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED TETE-BECHE PANES OF THE 1865 5-CENT BLUE “INTERISLAND” NUMERAL ISSUE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF HAWAIIAN PHILATELY.
Apart from the Post Office sheet of 25 comprising two complete panes of ten and a tete-beche row, offered in our Honolulu Advertiser sale, we record two tete-beche panes of ten. The other was lot 633 in the Tows sale. A block of six and a block of four are the only other known multiples larger than a pair.
Ex Ishikawa and Honolulu Advertiser. The block is unlisted in Scott — each of the five tete-beche pairs is valued at $20,000.00
1865, 5c Blue on Blue, “Interisland”, Tete-Beche (22a). Plate 12-A, Types IX-VI (Westerberg Positions 10/2), original gum, large and even margins, deep rich color, accompanying certificate notes light gum staining spot which is barely noticeableEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE 1865 5-CENT BLUE “INTERISLAND” NUMERAL ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Ex Mandel and Pietsch. With 1980 P.F. certificate
1865, 1c Black, Tete-Beche (23b). Plate 8-A, Types I-IXc (Westerberg Positions 2-10), unused (no gum), huge margins to full including wide sheet margin, bright shadeEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE 1865 ONE-CENT HAWAIIAN NUMERAL ON LAID PAPER. THIS IS THE ONLY TETE-BECHE MULTIPLE CONTAINING THE RESET STATE OF TYPE IX.
The type at left, “Hawaiian Postage”, is known in three states on this plate. State A only shows the “Ha” and “e”. State B shows only the “Ha”, with the rest of the type dropped out. State C shows the type fixed so all letters are visible.
According to the Westerberg book, this was the first plate with the odd numbered types on the right side of the plates. This and other characteristics indicate it was the last plate used before the form was reset for the first 5c Numeral. In the order of printing, it follows the 2c, Scott 24.
Ex Ishikawa and Pietsch
1865, 1c Black, Tete-Beche (23b). Plate 8-A, Types III-VII/V-V (Westerberg Positions 4-8/6-6), unused (no gum), the block contains two tete-beche pairs, large margins, light diagonal crease affecting the top of the top right stamp and just touching the frameline of the top left stampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL TETE-BECHE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1865 ONE-CENT HAWAIIAN NUMERAL ON LAID PAPER, SCOTT 23. ONLY FOUR BLOCK-SIZE TETE-BECHE MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN.
According to the Westerberg book, this is the first plate with the odd numbered types on the right side of the plates. This plate characteristic and others indicate that Plate 8-A was the last to be used before the type form was reset to print the first 5c Numeral. Chronologically, this follows the 2c, Scott 24, in the order of printing.
We are aware of only four tete-beche multiples larger than a pair, as follows:
1) Pane of ten, ex Caspary
2) Pane of ten, ex Lilly and Golden (Siegel Sale 1009, lot 514, realized $35,000 hammer)
3) Block of 19 (does not contain a complete pane), broken creases and toned, ex Honolulu Advertiser
4) The block of four offered here, ex Burrus and Honolulu Advertiser
Ex Burrus and Honolulu Advertiser. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Unlisted as a block in Scott. Value as two tete-beche pairs has changed by only $500.00 since our 1995 Honolulu Advertiser sale. Scott value as two tete-beche pairs
1865, 2c Black, Laid (24). Plate 7-A, Types I-X (Westerberg Positions 1-10), two complete panes in a block of 20, unused (no gum), huge margins all around, trivial toned speck at lower right at far edge of marginEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MULTIPLE OF THE 1865 2-CENT NUMERAL ON LAID PAPER, COMPRISING TWO INTACT PANES OF TEN. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE.
One other block of 20 is known (ex Golden, Siegel Sale 1009, lot 528).
Ex Ferrary and with his purple trefoil backstamp (barely shows thru in bottom left margin), Admiral Harris, Ostheimer and Honolulu Advertiser. Scott value as four blocks and four singles
1865, 2c Black, Tete-Beche (24c). Plate 7-A, Types I/III/V/VII/IX (Westerberg Positions 1/3/5/7/9) in a tete-beche pane of ten, unused (no gum), large margins, bottom left stamp small margin tear, bottom pair faint gum toning, tiny thin speck between columns (not mentioned on accompanying certificate)VERY FINE AND CHOICE. TETE-BECHE MULTIPLES OF THE 1865 2-CENT NUMERAL ON LAID PAPER ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED TETE-BECHE PANE, WHICH IS BY FAR THE LARGEST MULTIPLE.
The Westerberg census (1970) reported three examples of this tete-beche variety, including two multiples of three and one of four. This pane surfaced in 1975 and is by far the largest recorded tete-beche multiple.
Ex Honolulu Advertiser. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Unlisted as a block in Scott. Scott value as five tete-beche pairs
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