Sale 1122 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps-Part One
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 April, 2016
Category — 1875 Reprint of 1857-60 Issue (Scott 40-47)
1c Bright Blue, Reprint (40). Without gum as issued, rich color, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, the 1c 1857 Reprint was made from a new plate and shows the nearly complete design, with 2003 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown, Reprint (42). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, detailed impression, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 REPRINT. THIS STUNNING STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
As collectors of high-grade stamps know only too well, the 5c 1857 Reprint (878 sold) is notorious for its typically tight margins and poor centering. Before seeing this stamp, we doubted that any example could achieve the coveted XF-Superb 95 grade.
Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $11,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is a 90 (one stamp) which was offered in our Sale 967.
10c Blue Green, Reprint (43). Without gum as issued, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
The Continental Bank Note Company made a new plate for the 10c 1857 Reprint, consisting of 100 subjects, using an original transfer roll. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). All are Type I stamps. 516 of the 10c were sold, and the remaining 9,484 were destroyed on July 23, 1884, by order of the Postmaster General.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
12c Greenish Black, Reprint (44). Without gum as issued, intense shade and detailed impression on bright paper, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 REPRINT, IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF 90 IS MATCHED BY ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE AND SLIGHTLY SURPASSED BY ONE GRADED 90J.
The narrow spaces between stamps on the 12c 1857 Reprint plate allowed almost no room for large 12-gauge perforations, and the Reprints were generally perforated into parts of the design. Only 489 were sold, and examples such as this, with the framelines complete on all four sides, are extremely rare.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $9,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 90J) and only one other shares this grade.
24c Blackish Violet, Reprint (45). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression on bright paper, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 REPRINT. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The Continental Bank Note Company reprinted the 24c stamp from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 479 were sold; the remaining 9,521 were destroyed on July 23, 1884, by order of the Postmaster General. Due to the narrow spacing between subjects, many have perforations touching the design at either top or bottom. The example offered here is one of the finest.
With 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
30c Yellow Orange, Reprint (46). Without gum as issued, intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering for this narrowly-spaced issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 REPRINT. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VALUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.
The Continental Bank Note Company reprinted the 30c stamp from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 480 were sold; the remaining 9,520 were destroyed on July 23, 1884, by order of the Postmaster General.
With 1972, 1989 and 2005 P.F. certificates
90c Deep Blue, Reprint (47). Without gum as issued, deep rich color on bright paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 REPRINT.
The Continental Bank Note Company reprinted the 90c stamp from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 454 were sold; the remaining 9,546 were destroyed on July 23, 1884, by order of the Postmaster General.
With 2004 P.F. certificate