9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1200 — The William H. Gross Collection: U.S. Stamp Multiples
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 May, 2019
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-77)
This is the only plate block of twelve of the 3¢ Brown Rose First Design, which is the largest plate number multiple extantDESCRIPTION
3¢ Brown Rose (56), block of twelve with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 2 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, correct shade for the old Scott 56 listing (other trial colors are known from this plate)
PROVENANCE
Col. Edward H. R. Green, Part 26, Harmer, Rooke sale, 3/25-29/1946, lot 51
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 183
CONDITION NOTES
Fine-Very Fine; small hinge sliver reinforcements
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$22,200.00 as plate block of eight and singles (listed under 65-E15h for any shade, but the Brown Rose is much more desirable)
One of eight plate blocks of the 1¢ 1861 Issue, of which three are from Plate 9DESCRIPTION
1¢ Blue (63), block of 20 from bottom of left pane of Plate 9 with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 9 Plate." plate number, original gum, bright color, centered to bottom
PROVENANCE
Y. Souren, H. R. Harmer sale, 3/12-15/1951, lot 55
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 185; after accounting for pane of 100 and block of 98 broken up and two additions, our records contain eight plate blocks from Plate 9 (three), Plate 10 (two) and Plate 27 (three)
CONDITION NOTES
Fine; natural gum creases, some perf separations, mostly rejoined at center, small thin in one stamp second from right in bottom row
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$10,900.00 as plate block of eight, two blocks and two pairs
One of two recorded blocks of the 1¢ 1861 on laid paper, both used, which are the largest recorded multiples of this rare paper varietyDESCRIPTION
1¢ Blue, Vertically Laid Paper (63c), block of four, neatly cancelled by town circular datestamp, perfectly centered, beautiful crisp blue shade
PROVENANCE
Ryohei Ishikawa
Dr. Robert Hinrichs, Shreves Philatelic Galleries sale, 5/21/2004, lot 40, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
Don L. Evans, The U.S. 1¢ Franklin 1861-1868, page 38
Richard B. Graham, "One Cent 1861 Stamps on Vertically Laid Paper," Chronicle 86, May 1975
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1993)
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; couple trivial short perfs in bottom left stamp
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$35,000.00
This unique and famous plate block of 12 from the Luff, Worthington, Duveen, Hind, Waterhouse and Zoellner collections is the only plate number block known and the largest known multiple of the 1861 3¢ PinkDESCRIPTION
3¢ Pink (64), unused block of twelve (no gum) with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 12 Plate." plate number at bottom, beautiful true Pink color, extraordinarily well-centered
PROVENANCE
One of two plate blocks of 12 discovered in California; this one sold to John N. Luff (reported in American Journal of Philately, Oct. 1892); sold by Luff to Worthington, 1905
George H. Worthington, J. C. Morgenthau sale, 8/21-23/1917, lot 249
J. C. Morgenthau sale, January 1922, to Duveen
Henry J. Duveen (sold privately to Hind, according to Ashbrook)
Arthur Hind, Phillips-Kennett sale, 11/20-24/1933, lot 248, to Perry (as agent for Waterhouse)
Sir Nicholas Waterhouse, H. R. Harmer London sale, 6/27-30/1955, lot 409, to Weill
H. R. Harmer sale, 1/18/1966, lot 218, with PFC 5905 dated 10/11/65
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1988 Rarities of the World, 4/23/1988, Sale 692, lot 131
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1993 Rarities of the World, 11/20/1993, Sale 755, lot 107, to Zoellner
Robert Zoellner, Siegel Auction Galleries, 10/8-10/1998, Sale 804, lot 175, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
John C. Chapin, A Census of United States Classic Plate Blocks 1851-1882, census no. 193
Stanley B. Ashbrook, Special Service, #53, pages 425-426
New York International Philatelic Exhibition 1913 (Worthington)
TIPEX 1936 exhibition (Waterhouse)
ANPHILEX 1996 Invited Exhibits (Zoellner)
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1965)
CONDITION NOTES
Fine overall; faint vertical crease through third row as almost always found in the unused Pink stamps, lower left vertical pair rejoined and some perf separations throughout reinforced with hinge slivers
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$190,000.00 as two blocks and two pairs with original gum
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The Long History of the 3¢ Pink Plate Block
The Pink shade of the National Bank Note Company 3¢ 1861 Issue was produced only in the early printings released in the fall of 1861. The shade is distinctive, and in its true form can easily be distiniguished from the other shades. The Pink is prone to transformation through light exposure, and in some cases can lose its special vibrancy.
Unused and original-gum examples of the 3¢ Pink are very scarce, and multiples are rare. It has been reported that a sheet was owned by George Walcott, a collector during the early part of the 20th century, and that John Klemann, a dealer at the time, purchased the sheet and divided it into blocks and singles. Many of the stamps with original gum have similar centering and color, as well as vertical creasing, which suggests that the account of a Walcott-Klemann sheet is factual, but no other imprint or plate number multiple from that sheet has been reported.
In the Special Service (#53, September 1955), following the Waterhouse sale, Stanley B. Ashbrook reported the history of the 3¢ Pink plate block:
Writing in the October 1892 American Journal of Philately, Mr. Luff gave the history... At that time Mr. Luff resided in San Francisco, Calif. and he related how two blocks of the 3¢ 1861 PINK had been discovered "among the papers of a lawyer in National City, Calif." who sold them to San Francisco dealers. Mr. Luff stated, quote: (there) "were two blocks of twelve, each bearing the imprint xxxx No. 12 plate. I am happy to say one of these blocks adorns my collection."
If there was a second plate block in 1892, it has been lost to philately. Elliott Perry, who acquired this block for Waterhouse in the 1933 Hind sale, is also quoted stating that it did not have gum at that time, despite the sale catalogue describing original gum.
The only recorded plate block of the 3¢ Rose Pink shadeDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose Pink (64b), bottom-margin block of four with half of "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK (NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK)" imprint and "No. 23 (Plate.)" plate number, original gum, bright and fresh in true Rose Pink shade, choice centering
PROVENANCE
Siegel Auction Galleries, 12/16-18/1986, Sale 674, lot 931, to Chapin
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 193A (only Scott 64b plate block recorded)
CONDITION NOTES
Very Fine appearance; bottom pair creased
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$3,250.00 for ordinary block of four
A beautiful well-centered plate block of the 1861 3¢ RoseDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose (65), block of eight with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 32 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, lightly hinged, lovely pastel shade and choice centering
PROVENANCE
As a block of 16: Henry B. Close, Eugene Costales sale, 6/23-26/1952, lot 168, to Cole
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 214
CONDITION NOTES
Very Fine; creased at bottom of selvage
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$4,250.00
A very rare block of the 3¢ 1861 imperforate horizontallyDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose, Imperforate Horizontally (65d), block of four, part original gum, perfectly centered with large top and bottom margins, rich color and exceptionally fresh
PROVENANCE
Arthur Hetherington, "Quality" collection, H. R. Harmer sale, 6/5/1980, lot 568
Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 390, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
Lester G. Brookman, United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century, Vol. II, fig. 47, p. 29
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1958 and 1993)
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$15,000.00 for two pairs
An impressive imprint and plate number block of the 3¢ Rose Lake Imperforate trial color printingDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose Lake, Imperforate on Stamp Paper (65P5 variety), block of twelve with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 52 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, large margins, rich color
PROVENANCE
As Scott 65c variety: Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., Siegel Auction Galleries, 2/7-8/1968, Sale 327, lot 57
As Scott 65c variety: "Mid-Western Collector," Siegel Auction Galleries, 4/6-7/1972, Sale 410, lot 376
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 236 (illustrated on page 24)
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1968) as 3¢ Rose, Scott 65c
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; small spot in bottom sheet margin at left
Extremely rare imprint and plate number strip of the 3¢ Rose Lake Imperforate trial color printingDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose Lake, Imperforate on Stamp Paper (65P5 variety), horizontal strip of four with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 52 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, large margins, rich color
PROVENANCE
As Scott 66a: Grover C. Hubbell, Siegel Auction Galleries, 8/27/1957, Sale 262, lot 190
As Scott 66a: "Ambassador" collection, 4/27-28/1966, Sale 300, lot 92
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 241
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1994) as Scott 66a
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; signed on back (Economist Stamp Co.)
One of three recorded plate number multiples of the 3¢ Lake, including two strips of four and one plate block of eightDESCRIPTION
3¢ Lake (66), horizontal strip of four (no gum) with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 34 Plate." plate number at bottom, deep and true Lake shade, proof-like impression
PROVENANCE
"Country Gentleman," Siegel Auction Galleries, 11/29-30/1972, Sale 422, lot 165
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1975 Rarities of the World, 3/25/1975, Sale 468, lot 68
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 239
CONDITION NOTES
Fine-Very Fine; faint traces of toning
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$10,000.00 (listed under 66TC6)
Errata: The Scott listing should be 66TC6, not 65TC6
The famous Duveen block of the 1861 5¢ Buff--for the past century this original-gum block has held fast as the only unused block of the 5¢ Buff or its shade varieties listed under Scott 67DESCRIPTION
5¢ Buff (67), block of four, large part original gum, hinge remnants, bright shade that we would classify as closer to Brown Yellow (Scott 67a)
PROVENANCE
Henry J. Duveen (listed in Phillips's November 1922 book)
Arthur Hind, Phillips-Kennett sale, 11/20-24/1933, lot 262, to Ward
Wharton Sinkler, Eugene Klein sale, 5/17/1940, Sale 117, lot 91, to Ward
Philip H. Ward, Jr. (estate sold to Weills in 1963)
Benjamin D. Phillips (bought from Weills out of Ward estate, 1964; Phillips collection sold privately to Weills, 1968)
Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 401, to William H. Gross
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1993)
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine centering, but creased, slightly gum stained and there is a small repaired hole in the bottom left stamp--uniqueness forgives these flaws
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
Despite the value of four singles with original gum at $110,000.00, the Scott Catalogue values this unique block at $11,500.00, explaining, "The unused block of 4 is unique but very faulty. Value is based on actual 1993 sale." It is true that Mr. Gross acquired this 26 years ago for $11,500 in the Ishikawa sale. One should expect the value to be updated to its new realization after the Gross sale is concluded
The only recorded plate block of the 10¢ 1861 Type II, including the grilled issues, without a Specimen overprintDESCRIPTION
10¢ Green (68), block of twelve with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 15 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, centered to right, but fresh and bright
PROVENANCE
Richard Wolffers sale, 10/28/1981, lot 558
Sotheby Parke Bernet sale, 11/22/1982, lot 421
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 247
CONDITION NOTES
Average-Fine centering, sound and intact
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$15,100.00 as plate block of eight and pair
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
Original-gum and unused blocks of the ungrilled 10¢ 1861 Issue are extremely rare. This is the only recorded 10¢ 1861 plate block, except for the Type I plate block of four (sold in the Gross U.S. Treasures sale) and a plate block of eight of Scott 68 with "Specimen" overprint. One imprint and plate number strip of four of the 10¢ F Grill is recorded and offered in this sale as lot 88.
12¢ 1861 Issue block in choice original-gum conditionDESCRIPTION
12¢ Black (69), block of four, original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, centered left
PROVENANCE
Alfred H. Caspary, H. R. Harmer sale, 11/19-21/1956, lot 105
Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 416
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1993)
CONDITION NOTES
Fine; bottom right stamp has faintest trace of a corner crease noted on certificate
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$10,000.00
This original-gum block of six is one of four recorded plate number multiples of the 24¢ 1861 in any shade, with or without grillDESCRIPTION
24¢ Grayish Lilac (78a), vertical block of six from bottom of Plate 6 with half of "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK (NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK)" imprint and "No. 6 (Plate.)" plate number in selvage, original gum, crisp shade and sharp impression in the later 1863-66 shade and on thick paper of the later printings with characteristic "half-moon" perforations
PROVENANCE
T. Charlton Henry, Harmer, Rooke sale, 12/14-16/1960, lot 279 (as Scott 78), to Weill (for Phillips, listed in inventory as 78a)
Benjamin D. Phillips (collection sold privately to Weills, 1968)
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1975 Rarities of the World, 3/25/1975, Sale 468, lot 77 (as Scott 78a)
"An Important Collection," Siegel Auction Galleries, 1/11/1979, Sale 286, lot 138 (as Scott 78a)
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
John C. Chapin, A Census of United States Classic Plate Blocks 1851-1882, census no. 252 as Scott 70a (illustrated on page 13)
Lester G. Brookman, United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century, Vol. II, fig. 85, page 56
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1981) as Scott 70a, which it is not
CONDITION NOTES
Very Fine and choice; small hinge reinforcements, slight crease in selvage and top right stamp with trace of discoloration (not noted on certificate)
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$24,000.00 as ordinary block of four and pair of Scott 78
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The Many Shades of the 24¢ 1861-68 Issue
The color chosen for the 24¢ stamp issued from 1861 through 1868 proved to be a challenge for the National Bank Note Company's plate printers and ink mixers. The early shades of Violet and Steel Blue gave way to Deep Red Lilac and the brighter tints of Brownish Lilac and Lilac. As printings continued in 1863, the shade turned grayer, until it reached Grayish Lilac and Gray. The stamps that were grilled in 1868 and 1869 (F Grill, Scott 99) are only known in these two shades of gray.
Due to the subjectiveness in assigning colors, this remarkable imprint and plate number block has been misidentified in the past. In the three auctions cited here, it was identified as Scott 78 (Lilac) or Gray Lilac (Scott 78a)--we agree with the latter classification. In 1981 the block was certified by The Philatelic Foundation as Brown Lilac, Scott 70a, which is in error. The Chapin census based the entry for this block (no. 252) on this incorrect certificate, but correctly listed the other two imprint and plate number multiples as Scott 78 (nos. 276, strip of four, and 276A, block of four).
Only one plate was used to print the 24¢ (Plate 6). If all 24¢ shades and the F Grill stamps are considered (excluding proofs and "Specimen" overprints), there are just four unused plate number multiples extant: the 24¢ F Grill (Scott 99) plate block sold in the Gross U.S. Treasures sale, this block of 6 (Scott 78a), a strip of four and a block of four in Grayish Lilac/Gray shades (Scott 78/78a).
One of two known plate number multiples of the 30¢ 1861 without a Specimen overprintDESCRIPTION
30¢ Orange (71), horizontal strip of four with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 7 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, centered to left
PROVENANCE
Col. Edward H. R. Green, Part 25, Costales sale, 2/18-21/1946, lot 153 (as a strip of eight)
H. R. Harmer sale, 10/13/1958, lot 289
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 253
CONDITION NOTES
Average appearance; creases and slight gum staining
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
Original-gum and unused blocks of the 30¢ 1861-68 Issue are extremely rare. We record two unused plate number strips of four: the strip offered here and another that emerged in 2012 with the sale of the Frelinghuysen collection (Siegel Sale 1021, lot 220). There is also a plate block of eight with "Specimen" oveprint. This strip was reduced from eight to four stamps.
This original-gum block of nine is the largest recorded 30¢ 1861 Issue unused multipleDESCRIPTION
30¢ Orange (71), block of nine, original gum with hinge remnants, light shade, centered to right
PROVENANCE
Henry B. Close, Eugene Costales sale, 6/23-26/1952, lot 182
CERTIFICATION
Friedl Expert Committee (1971) issued by Herbert J. Bloch
CONDITION NOTES
Fine; some trivial gum toned spots
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$31,100.00 as block, two pairs and single
This is the only recorded plate number multiple of the 90¢ 1861-68 Issue, grilled or ungrilled, without Specimen overprint--a classic piece of outstanding importance and beautyDESCRIPTION
90¢ Blue (72), horizontal strip of four (no gum) with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 18 Plate." plate number at bottom, dark shade and intense impression, bright and fresh, centered to left
PROVENANCE
Henry G. Lapham (noted in article on display at The Collectors Club of New York, 10/6/1937, Collectors Club Philatelist)
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1975 Rarities of the World, 3/25/1975, Sale 468, lot 72
"Country Gentleman," Siegel Auction Galleries, 11/29-30/1972, Sale 422, lot 190
Daniel F. Kelleher sale, 1/30/1976, lot 271
John C. Chapin (collection sold privately to Shreves and then to William H. Gross, 2002)
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
John C. Chapin, A Census of United States Classic Plate Blocks 1851-1882, census no. 255 (illustrated on page 13)
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1975)
CONDITION NOTES
Fine-Very Fine; few slightly short perfs at left
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$25,000.00 for this strip, which is the only one recorded, but it has not sold publicly for 43 years
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The First and Second Designs of the 1861 Issue
When the National Bank Note Company won the contract to print stamps, they had already designed the 1861 Issue, engraved the dies and made eight plates for each denomination, and printed sheets of "sample labels" to submit as part of the competitive bidding process.
The First Designs (1¢, 3¢, 5¢, 10¢, 12¢ and 90¢) and First Colors (24¢ and 30¢) were followed by a second set of stamps made from modified dies and plates. The differences between the first and second designs are very noticeable on the 3¢ and 12¢, but more subtle for the other four denominations. The 24¢ Dark Violet and 30¢ Red Orange colors are unlike any of the issued stamps. All were printed on a thin semitransparent stamp paper--some were gummed with a dark brownish gum and perforated. These stamps and the associated trial printings are listed in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue in a separate section (pages 913-915 in the 2019 edition).
Only the 10¢ First Design (Type I) was issued through post offices. The others from the trial printing were distributed through other channels. The 3¢ exists in a much larger number than the others, and comes in various shades, which indicates that a cache was released from the printer's files. The 1¢, 5¢, 12¢, 24¢, 30¢ and 90¢ are great rarities, and the discoveries of examples in other countries suggests they were released through government Post Office notices of the new issue. For example, one complete set was discovered in Europe and sold in a 3/15/1906 Morgenthau auction of the Scholle collection.
The design of the 90¢ 1861 adopted the previous issue's Trumbull portrait of a youthful General Washington in uniform, but added "90" numerals to make the denomination more obvious. The same deep blue color was chosen for the top value, but the perforation gauge was changed from 15 to 12, and the holes were enlarged. It is believed that the new plates were made to widen the spaces between stamps to accommodate the larger perforation holes.
Two 90¢ plates were made: Plate 8 from the First Design die, and Plate 18 from the modified die. To the best of our knowledge, not a single example of the Plate 8 imprint exists in any form (proof, specimen or stamp). Only two Plate 18 stamp multiples are known: the strip of Scott 72 offered here and a plate block of eight with the "Specimen" overprint. Plate proofs on card with the imprint and plate number 18 are also known.
The finest known original-gum block of the 90¢ 1861 IssueDESCRIPTION
90¢ Blue (72), block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, remarkably choice centering, beautiful bright shade on fresh paper, well-formed perforations all around
PROVENANCE
Private sale to Zoellner
Robert Zoellner, Siegel Auction Galleries, 10/8-10/1998, Sale 804, lot 192, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
ANPHILEX 1996 Invited Exhibits (Zoellner)
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1977)
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; reinforced vertical perf separations
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$32,500.00
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The Exception to the Rule
There are approximately ten blocks of the 90¢ 1861 with original gum that are centered strongly to upper left, have similar dark color, and have malformed perforation holes, the result of the pins failing to fully punch through the thick paper on which these stamps are printed. These 90¢ blocks undoubtedly came from the same sheet.
This block is unlike that group of off-center blocks. Its distinctive bright shade, precise centering and fully formed perforations are desirable characteristics not found among the other known multiples, except for one that no longer exists as a block. It is found in the Henry B. Close sale (Eugene Costales, 6/23-26/1952, lot 185), and was offered later in the 1969 Rarities of the World sale (Sale 350, lot 76). It has identical centering and color, and we are confident it joined the block offered here in the original sheet. It was divided into singles after its 1969 Rarities sale appearance.
The block in this sale was acquired by Robert Zoellner from our firm in a private transaction. When the Zoellner collection was offered in 1998, Mr. Gross was the buyer.
A remarkably well-centered and attractive plate block of the 1863 2¢ Black Jack issueDESCRIPTION
2¢ Black (73), block of eight with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 30 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, deep shade, exceptionally choice centering for this issue
PROVENANCE
Arthur Hind, Phillips-Kennett sale, 11/20-24/1933, lot 284
Dr. J. Paul Wampler, Shreves sale, 4/24-25/1998, lot 18, to Mr. Gross
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 263
CONDITION NOTES
Very Fine; tiny hinge reinforcements, small thin in top right stamp
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$15,000.00
One of two recorded plate number multiples of the 1863 5¢ Brown without "Specimen"DESCRIPTION
5¢ Brown (76), horizontal strip of three (left stamp rejoined) with "(ENGRAVED BY) THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" part imprint and "No. 17 Plate." plate number at bottom, part original gum, centered to left
PROVENANCE
Siegel Auction Galleries, 5/26-27/1977, Sale 513, lot 243
John W. Kaufmann sale, 1/21/1978, lot 207
Bought privately from Larry Bustillo (Suburban Stamp Co.)
CENSUS
Chapin census no. 274
CONDITION NOTES
Average centering; left stamp rejoined, small faults
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$15,000.00 for a full plate strip of four
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
Unused blocks of the 5¢ 1861-68 Jefferson stamps, in any shade and grilled or ungrilled, are rare. The only plate number multiples are a plate block of eight of Scott 76 with "Specimen" overprint, a Scott 76 plate strip of four (Siegel Sale 422, lot 204), and the strip offered here. The only other recorded plate number multiple is the 5¢ F Grill (Scott 95) block of six offered in this sale as lot 86.
The finest original-gum block of the 5¢ Brown 1863 Issue known to usDESCRIPTION
5¢ Brown (76), block of four, original gum, by far the best centering found among the blocks known with original gum, crisp shade and impression
PROVENANCE
Possibly George H. Worthington, J. C. Morgenthau sale, 8/21-23/1917, lot 309, as a block of six with straight edge at right
Alfred H. Caspary, H. R. Harmer sale, 11/19-21/1956, lot 210, to Cole (for Lilly)
Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., Siegel Auction Galleries, 2/7-8/1968, Sale 327, lot 68, to Cole
Siegel Auction Galleries, 1978 Rarities of the World, 4/11/1978, Sale 528, lot 96
Bought privately from Larry Bustillo (Suburban Stamp Co.)
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1985)
CONDITION NOTES
Very Fine and choice
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$8,250.00
The finest known original-gum block of the 1866 15¢ Lincoln Memorial IssueDESCRIPTION
15¢ Black (77), block of six from right pane with interpane margin at left, original gum, lightly hinged, wonderfully choice centering with bottom row superb, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper
PROVENANCE
George H. Worthington, J. C. Morgenthau sale, 8/21-23/1917, lot 317
Alfred H. Caspary, H. R. Harmer sale, 11/19-21/1956, lot 220, to Cole (for Lilly)
Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., Siegel Auction Galleries, 2/2/1967, Sale 312, lot 157
Arthur Hetherington, "Quality" collection, H. R. Harmer sale, 6/5/1980, lot 579
Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 475, to William H. Gross
CERTIFICATION
The Philatelic Foundation (1993)
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; top right stamp has one short perf (not noted on certificate)
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$42,500.00 as a block and pair
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The 1866 Lincoln Memorial Issue
The national year of mourning for Abraham Lincoln came to an end on April 14, 1866. During that period, many appeals were made to postal officials to issue a stamp with Lincoln's likeness. In October 1865 the first stamp to portray the martyred president was issued--the 25¢ Newspapers and Periodicals (PR3)--but that stamp was intended for use on bundles of newspapers distributed by publishers, not on ordinary letter mail. The first regular postage stamp honoring Lincoln is the 15¢ Black (Scott 77), issued on April 14, 1866. This date has been established through analysis of contemporary sources, but was not a "first day of issue" in the philatelic sense.
The Lincoln stamp was designed by James Macdonough of the National Bank Note Company. The vignette, adapted from photographic portraits taken by C. S. German in 1861 and Matthew Brady in 1862, was engraved by Joseph P. Ourdan (1828-1881). Ourdan was a highly-skilled engraver who later became chief of the Engraving Division of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The frame was engraved by William D. Nichols. The stamps were printed from Plate 41 in sheets of 200 (two panes of 100). A total of 2,139,000 of the 1866 stamps were issued.
Today, the largest known unused multiple of Scott 77 (the ungrilled stamp) is a block of 12 without gum. The largest known multiple with original gum is a block of six, represented by two recorded blocks. The block offered here is by far the better centered of the two, and, in fact, is superior to the few surviving blocks of four.
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