9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1186 — The Kilbourne Collection of Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Thursday, 28 June, 2018
Category — 10c Blue Frameline Engraved
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Positions 53-59, horizontal strip of seven, showing full framelines at top and left, original gum, wonderful richness of color and depth of impression -- a classic early copper plate printing -- Positions 54-55 and 58 with vertical creases, Position 56 small thin spot and tiny tearVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE FAMOUS LILLY STRIP OF SEVEN OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES 10-CENT FRAMELINE ISSUE -- THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE AND OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1967.
The 10c Frameline (Scott 10) is the rarest Confederate States General Issue design type in unused condition, particularly with original gum. Singles with original gum are very elusive, and multiples are of another order of rarity. This strip of seven is the largest recorded unused multiple. We offered a different strip of seven in our 1980 Rarities sale, which had black marks on four stamps (ex Ferrary, pictured in Dietz). There also exists a single block of four without gum. The strip offered here was acquired by the Kilbournes in the April 1967 sale of the Josiah K. Lilly collection, where it realized $3,400 hammer.
Scott Retail $47,500.00
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Positions 48-49, horizontal pair, showing mostly complete framelines at top and left and more than half at right, original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous brilliant color and sharp impression -- an early printing from the copper plate -- tiny thin speck at top of right stamp is mentioned in anticipation of certification and is truly negligibleEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES 10-CENT FRAMELINE ISSUE. VERY RARE IN ANY CONDITION, BUT POSSIBLY THE FINEST EXTANT IN THIS QUALITY.
Scott 10 is the rarest Confederate States General Issue design type in unused condition, particularly with original gum. Singles with original gum are very elusive and multiples are of another order of rarity. This lightly hinged pair was purchased by the Kilbournes in our inaugural Rarities of the World Sale in 1964 and makes its first auction appearance since then.
Illustrated in color in the 1929 Dietz book in the frontispiece.
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Unused (no gum), large to huge margins showing complete framelines at top and bottom, nearly complete on both sides, vivid bright color, completely soundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE ISSUE WITH NEARLY COMPLETE FRAMELINES ALL AROUND.
The framelines between the stamps define Scott 10. The lines were engraved on the copper plate and served as a guide for the siderographer when aligning the transfers to make the plate. Each stamp shares framelines with the adjoining positions, so four-frameline copies are exceedingly rare -- particularly in unused condition
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Unused (no gum), framelines on all sides and showing part of adjacent stamp at left, light horizontal crease and small thin spots, appears Extremely Fine, ex Murphy and Hastings
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Position 100, huge margins all around including full bottom right corner sheet margins, three complete framelines with left and bottom framelines crossing at the corner, neat strike of Mobile Ala. double-circle datestamp, small thin spot outside the design at bottom right, also faint corner crease at bottom right -- these flaws are not worthy of consideration in a stamp of this remarkable qualityEXTREMELY FINE. A TRULY STUNNING CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES 10-CENT FRAMELINE ISSUE. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES EXTANT.
A review using Power Search found only one other corner-margin example, from our 1984 Rarities sale. The margins on that stamp are not as large as those on the stamp offered here. Interestingly, it is also struck with the Mobile double-circle datestamp. This was purchased by the Kilbournes in a 1967 auction and is making its first appearance since then.
Illustrated in 1929 Dietz book on p. 215
10c Milky Blue, Frameline (10a). Large to huge margins all around including complete framelines on all four sides and part of adjoining stamp at left, tied by "Selma Ala. May 31" circular datestamp on cover to Dayton Ala., endorsed "Mail at Selma" and also "Per Str. Duke" steamboat directive, top flap reattached, trivial edge flawsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST FRAMELINE COVERS IN EXISTENCE. A RARITY AMONG RARITIES.
Ex Cole and Hill. Signed Bogg and Dietz.
10c Milky Blue, Frameline (10a). Three large margins with complete framelines, margin well clear of design at top, tied by "Mobile Ala. Jun. 18, 1863" double-circle datestamp on cover with gray illustrated overall lithographed "Independent Packet James Battle" steamboat design, addressed to Greensboro Ala., Wm. Murphy New York imprint on flap, skillfully sealed opening tear at topVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE ON AN ILLUSTRATED PACKET BOAT ADVERTISING COVER.
The Confederate packet James Battle advertised service on the Alabama River from Mobile and Montgomery. It was captured as a blockade runner in November 1863 and put into service for the North.
Ex Knapp and Hall
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Position 100 from the bottom right corner of the plate, complete framelines at right and bottom with part of bottom sheet margin, portion of frameline visible at lower left, rich color, tied by beautifully clear strike of "JACKSON" (Miss.) straightline handstamp on adversity cover made from a printed bank form, addressed to Opalika Ala.EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE "JACKSON" STRAIGHTLINE AND THE FINER OF TWO RECORDED 10-CENT FRAMELINE COVERS WITH THIS MARKING.
Ex Finney. Acquired by the Kilbournes at SIPEX in May 1966, where they won the Grand Award for their Confederate States exhibit. Illustrated in 1986 Dietz catalog (p. 213)
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Position 47 noted on back, complete or large portions of all four framelines, full margins all around, tied by "Mobile Ala. Jun. ?9" (1863) double-circle datestamp on red and blue 8-Star Confederate Flag Patriotic cover (F8-4) to Greensboro Ala., couple trivial tiny nicks at top of coverEXTREMELY FINE AND SPECTACULAR COVER. THE FRAMELINE STAMP IS EXTREMELY RARE ON A PATRIOTIC COVER OF ANY DESIGN -- THIS 8-STAR DESIGN IS A RARITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT. ARGUABLY THE MOST OUTSTANDING FRAMELINE PATRIOTIC COVER KNOWN.
Ex Brooks and Duckworth. Acquired by the Kilbournes privately in 1965 -- for the princely sum of $1,275
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Position 95 noted on back, large margins showing complete framelines at top and bottom, large part at right and part at left, tied by blue "Richmond Va. May 28, 1863" circular datestamp on yellow cover to Mebanesville N.C.VERY FINE AND SCARCE USE OF THE FRAMELINE STAMP WITH A BLUE RICHMOND DATESTAMP, WHICH WAS USED ONLY FROM MAY TO JUNE 1863.
From our 1988 Rarities sale and ex Dr. Warren. Signed Ashbrook. With 1995 C.S.A. certificate
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Complete frameline at bottom and traces at left, tied by "Sandusky O. Dec. 23" (1863) double-circle datestamp and "Richmond Va. Jan. 19" (1864) circular datestamp on buff prisoner-of-war cover from Johnson's Island, Sandusky O., to Big Spring Depot Va., U.S. postage paid with 3c Rose (65), cut in at right and tied by grid cancel, manuscript "Per Flag of Truce Via Old Point - City Point &C", censored with "Ex DSA" (De Alva S. Alexander, 128th Ohio Volunteers, censor markings recorded from Sep. 1863 to Nov. 1864), opening tears at top do not affect stampsVERY FINE. ANY USE OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE ON A PRISONER-OF-WAR COVER IS RARE. THIS COMBINATION WITH THE UNITED STATES 3-CENT STAMP IS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER OF RARITY.
Some across-the-lines flag-of-truce uses did not employ the outer/inner cover configuration and used only one cover with U.S. and C.S.A. postage -- either with stamps or with a combination of a stamp and handstamped postage marking. These dual-frankings are among the most desirable of all Civil War postal history uses. This use of the scarce 10c Frameline in combination with U.S. postage is remarkable.
Ex Peters and DuPuy. With 1988 C.S.A. certificate. Scott Retail for solo use of No. 10 on a prisoner-of-war cover is $7,500.00. Scott lists but does not price this issue used in combination with the 3c U.S. No. 65 on a prisoner cover
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Vertical pair, plated by Ashbrook as Positions 72/82, showing nearly full frameline at right and large portions at top and bottom, tied by "Mobile Ala. May 22" (1863) double-circle datestamp on adversity cover made from an Army payroll form addressed to Montgomery Ala., bottom stamp with tiny inconsequential scrape at leftVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE ON COVER. PERHAPS TWO OTHERS ARE KNOWN.
Pairs of the 10c Frameline on cover are rare, and when they are encountered they are nearly always horizontal pairs. Power Search lists two other on-cover vertical pairs sold in our auctions. When this was offered in the Caspary collection it was thought to be unique on cover.
Ex Caspary, where the Kilbournes acquired the cover in 1957 at the sale of his Confederate material. Scott Retail $7,250.00
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Complete framelines at bottom and right, ample to full margins other sides, tied by "Mobile Ala. Aug. 8" (1863) double-circle datestamp on obsolete U.S. 3c Red on Buff Star Die entire (U27) to Bainbridge Ga., forwarded to Cedar Springs Ga. with 10c Blue, Die A (11), tied by indistinct Bainbridge circular datestamp and affixed over manuscript "Forward" notationVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY AND STRIKING USE OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE WITH A 10-CENT DIE A STAMP ON A FORWARDED ADVERSITY COVER -- A U.S. 3-CENT STAR DIE ENTIRE REDEPLOYED AS A PLAIN ENVELOPE.
This cover was addressed to Miss Ellen A. Shackelford by her future husband, Confederate Navy Lt. George W. Gift, one of the officers who accompanied Captain John Wilkinson to Canada in October 1863 on a secret mission to organize a raid on Johnson's Island Prison.
10c Blue, Frameline (10). Framelines complete or nearly complete all around, some slight gum soaks along edges, tied by bold strike of "Mobile Ala. Jun. 13?" double-circle datestamp on turned cover to Marion Station Miss., first use on inside with vertical pair 5c Blue, Local (7), tied by "Eutaw Ala. Jun. 10, 1863" double-circle datestamp and addressed to Mobile, some minor wear and missing backflapVERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE ON A TURNED COVER WITH A PAIR OF THE 5-CENT LOCAL TYPOGRAPHED ISSUE. A WONDERFUL SHOWPIECE.
With 1976 P.F. certificate
Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy