Sale 1174 — The J. R. Helton, Jr. Collection of Used United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 7 March, 2018
Category — 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-39)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, excellent centering with wide margins, deep rich color and strong impression, Very Fine and choice, ex Kirke, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $900.00)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Bottom row of Plate 4, intense shade and impression, nice bottom margin showing the key design characteristics, just in at top, wide margins, lightly cancelled leaves vignette fully visible, fresh and completely soundVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia.
Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Although Plate 4 was designed with sufficient space to accommodate perforations, the height of the top row and bottom row positions resulted in the perforations often cutting into the design at either top or bottom. This stamp shows nearly complete bottom scrolls and plumes.
From our 1989 Rarities of the World Sale. With 1988 and 2017 P.F. certificates (F-VF 75)
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 51L4, deep rich color on bright paper, bold circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Fine, with 1975 A.P.S. and 2017 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, rich color, choice centering with particularly wide margins, neat strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa GRADED XF 90 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $2,850.00). There are very few high-grade Scott 22's with the Jumbo appellation (two 95J's and only this single 90J)
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, unusually choice centering, bright shade and sharp impression, town cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Position 33L8, choice centering, bold color, neat circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (85)
5c Brick Red (27). Brilliant color, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestamp, fresh and Very Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
5c Red Brown (28). Warm shade and crisp impression, wide margins which are clear of the outer projections all around, town datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). Only seven have graded higher.
5c Brown (29). Well-centered, neat New Orleans double-circle datestamp with trace of red postmark, Very Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $375.00)
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Wide and well-proportioned margins, rich color nicely complemented by blue and red cancels, Very Fine and choice, with 2014 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Position 99R1 with curl in left "X", rich color on bright paper, choice centering, unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine, with 1985, 1990 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $1,250.00)
10c Green, Ty. II (32). Choice centering, deep rich color, bold circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00)
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Choice centering with extremely wide and balanced margins, vivid color and impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE III GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 XQ BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2010 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ). The "XQ" denotes extraordinary quality.
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 74L1, recut at top, rich color, margins clear of design all around, bold circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (F-VF 75)
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Intense shade and proof-like impression, centrally-struck blue circular datestamp, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1859 12-CENT FROM PLATE 3 GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Bowman. With 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,000.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Natalee Grace sale)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Choice centering with wide margins, well-struck red New York datestamp with "19" integral credit, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Golden Oak", with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
30c Orange (38). Vibrant color, clear strike of "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 8, 1861" double-circle datestamp and trace of red "12" integral-rate cancel, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.
The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 high values were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound and well-centered condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,800.00). Only three examples have graded higher.