Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 134-155)
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Original gum, lightly hinged, several rows of clear grill points, rich color, balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
Examples of the 6c National Bank Note Co. Grilled issue with original gum are rarely well-centered and sound. This example is one of the finest original-gum copies that we have ever offered
With 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Green, I. Grill (136A). Clearly twelve horizontal rows in height, easily visible on the face of the stamp, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, choice centering, subtle diagonal scoring line not mentioned on accompanying certificates, otherwise Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp and especially desirable with the I Grill, ex "Scarsdale", with 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates, the latter identifying the grill type
1c Ultramarine (145). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown (146). Pristine original gum in Mint N.H. state, beautifully centered with wide margins, wonderful rich color and sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PERFECTLY-CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNGRILLED 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY WITH SUCH SUPERB COLOR, CENTERING, FRESHNESS, IMPRESSION AND GUM.
As scarce as the 2c 1873 Continental stamp (Scott 157) is in Mint N.H. condition, the 2c 1870 National (Scott 146) is rarely obtainable in this state. The stamp offered here is easily one of the finest -- if not the finest -- we have encountered. Collectors on a quest to acquire the Bank Note issues in Extremely Fine Mint N.H. condition will be hard-pressed to locate a stamp of comparable quality. We have offered only four others since 2006, and none approach the quality of the example offered here.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged.
6c Carmine (148). Mint N.H., choice centering and long full perforations all around, deep rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN ENORMOUSLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Only two Mint N.H. examples of this issue can be found with Power Search. One was offered in our Sale 829 in 2000; the other was offered in our Sale 992 in 2010. Our sale records are corroborated by the P.S.E. Population Report, which does not list any. The online records of the Philatelic Foundation contain only one, certified in 1992 as "genuine"; it should be reexamined for condition. With grading and the demand for Mint N.H. copies having compelled dealers to break multiples, it is unlikely that any blocks containing Mint N.H. stamps with decent centering still exist. For the collector of Mint N.H. classics, this is a rare opportunity for acquisition.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
12c Dull Violet (151). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
Very few others in Power Search compare favorably with the example offered here.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
24c Purple (153). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2003 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only three others share this desirable grade.
30c Black (154). Original gum, wide margins and exceptional centering, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL UNGRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL BANK NOTE ISSUES TO FIND IN SOUND, WELL-CENTERED, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A REMARKABLE STAMP.
During the past 15 years, we have offered a few superb original-gum examples of National and Continental 30c Bank Notes (Scott 143, 154 and 165). Included in this total is a handful of the Continental printing, Scott 165, which is distinguished from its National Ungrilled counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations. For the Ungrilled National printing, Scott 154, we have offered fewer than five hinged stamps comparable to the condition of the example offered here. This is one of the most difficult of all the Bank Note issues to find in such superb condition.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $14,500.00). This is the only hinged example of this issue graded 90 in the P.S.E. Population Report. There is also one graded 95 (offered in our 2014 Rarities sale, realized $37,500 hammer), as well as the unique Mint N.H. example graded 90 from our 2009 Whitman sale (realized $67,500 hammer).