Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 63-78)
1c Ultramarine (63a). Mint N.H., radiant color in the distinctive Ultramarine shade, bright paper, long and full perforations, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE SCARCE ULTRAMARINE SHADE.
In his 1c book, Don Evans devotes almost an entire column on p. 33 to a discussion of the Ultramarine shade. He notes that it is "extremely scarce". He notes that apart from the Ultramarine and Indigo shades, "the remaining shades are comparatively plentiful."
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as unused in any state). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve it.
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00), only one has graded higher (at 98), Scott Retail as hinged
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful color and detailed impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWNISH LILAC. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT SHADE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CENTERED CONDITION.
The color is a soft brownish shade, which is quite distinctive and much different than the Red Lilac (1862) or later Lilac (1863-66) printings. It is particularly difficult to obtain in sound, centered and original-gum condition, which is also demonstrated by the P.S.E. Population Report numbers -- this is the only example to grade above 80.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $7,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no others share it.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, remarkably choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. We feel this is nearly as rare as the Blackish Violet, which has a catalogue value of $100,000.00.
With 2006 P.F. certificate. This stamp and the ex-Whitman copy (Siegel Sale 968, lot 89, realized $90,000 hammer) are the two finest we have encountered.
90c Blue (72). Original gum, lightly hinged, warm shade, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE WHICH IS VERY LIGHTLY HINGED.
We have encountered perhaps a half-dozen sound 90c 1861 stamps with original gum and Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering. The multiples that were broken to furnish singles were generally off center.
Ex Hetherington and Senchuk as top stamp in a vertical pair. 1961 P.F. certificate as pair no longer accompanies. With 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, only one is graded 95 at P.S.E.
2c Black (73). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only two have achieved this grade at the P.F., and the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is a 90. Scott Retail as hinged
5c Brown (76). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and detailed impression, wide and well-balanced margins which are completely clear of the design on all four sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED AND UNUSUALLY FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issue was printed from plates with closely-spaced subjects that left little room for the large 12-gauge perforations. The Brown shade, Scott 76, is scarce in original-gum condition, and truly rare in this high grade.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1999 P.F. certificate
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely warm shade on bright paper, far better centering than normally seen on this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1863 ISSUE IN THE GRAYISH LILAC SHADE.
This shade is particularly difficult to obtain in sound, centered and original-gum condition. A Power Search of our sale records and a review of P.S.E. Population Report numbers will confirm this statement.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $7,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. It is also the only example graded above a 75.