Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
1c Buff (112). Original gum, single hinge mark, radiant color, clearly-defined grill, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and the only to achieve it. By way of comparison, P.S.E. has only graded two higher (highest is a 98) and only one at this grade.
2c Brown (113). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
With 2003 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Ultramarine (114). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, beautifully centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, only two have graded higher (at 98) in either the P.F. or P.S.E.'s Population Reports. Scott Retail as hinged
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade and impression on bright paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the only example to achieve this grade at the P.F.; P.S.E. has graded four at this grade with none higher
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, near perfect centering with wide margins all around, deep rich color and intense proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 STAMP -- ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUES TO FIND IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade with vignette perfectly aligned to the frame, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, rich colors on bright paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The 24c 1869 Pictorial, even in original-gum condition, is not a rare stamp. However, centering and soundness are elusive qualities among examples of this issue. This stamp has color, centering and margins that appear more like its re-issue counterpart.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, rich colors on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The rarity of centered original-gum examples of the 30c 1869 with grill is somewhat obscured by the availability of off-center copies of the 30c with and without grill. If the scope were narrowed to Scott 121 only, and only grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine were considered, we estimate that fewer than 15 examples would be counted. Among the qualifying stamps, this is without a doubt one of the finest two or three.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only two others share this grade in the P.F. on-line records. The P.S.E. Population Report lists two graded 95 and none higher.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE FOR AN ORIGINAL-GUM SCOTT 122, AND ONLY ONE OTHER HAS ACHIEVED IT.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869's. The stamp offered here, with lightly hinged original gum and choice centering, probably ranks among the top 1% of surviving 90c 1869's in unused state.
Ex "Hampshire". With 1991 P.F. and 1991 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $77,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded. Only one other stamp has equaled this grade (from our 2006 "Scarsdale" sale)