9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1225 — Civil War Postal History, featuring the 'Ambassador' Collection
Sale Date — Wednesday, 9 September, 2020
Category — Lithographed Issues (Scott 1-2)
5c Green, Hoyer & Ludwig, Plate Proof on Wove (1P5). Large margins to barely touched at bottom left, bright shade, tiny corner crease at top left and small faint stained spot at left, Very Fine appearance, an extremely rare proof, this only the third example we have offered since 1997 and fewer than 10 are believed to exist, these originate from a book kept by H. St. George Offutt, Chief of the Post Office Department's Contract Bureau, ex Hastings, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Green, Stone 2 (1). Positions 2-7/12-17/22-27, block of 18 in 6 x 3 format, unused (no gum), huge margins two sides including top sheet margin, portions of three adjoining stamps at left, ample to full margins at bottom and right, rich color, flaws including small piece out at bottom, creases and thins, unsurprising for a multiple of this sizeVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES "NUMBER ONE" FROM STONE 2. THIS BLOCK OF 18 IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE FROM STONE 2.
A Power Search review reveals the rarity of large multiples of the first Confederate States Issue, particularly from Stone 2. The unique full pane of 100, as well as the two half-panes of 50, all from the Ackerman sheet of 200, are from Stone 1. Apart from this block of 18, the largest multiple we have offered from Stone 2 since 1993 and in all our Rarity sales is a block of four. Noted lithograph collector Leonard Hartmann believes that this is the largest known multiple, with the next largest a block of 10.
Ex Hastings.
5c Green, Stone 1 (1). Top left corner margin block of 28, crossing two transfers of the stone, Positions 1-5/41-45 of the upper transfer unit and 1-2/11 of the lower transfer unit, margins to clear other sides, unused (traces of gum), typical flaws for a Confederate multiple of this size including creases and a few small thinsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE LARGE BLOCK OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES "NUMBER ONE", CROSSING TWO TRANSFERS OF THE 50-SUBJECT STONE.
The Confederate Lithograph Issues (Scott 1-5) were produced from printing stones of 200 subjects, arranged in side-by-side panes of 100, with a vertical gutter between. Each of the left and right panes of 100 consisted of two transfers of the 50-subject transfer stone. Multiples that cross two different transfers are very desirable. We have encountered a number of such multiples of the 5c Blue Scott No. 4, but multiples of First Issue No. 1 are considerably rarer.
Ex Freeman. Scott value as original-gum blocks, pairs and singles without premium for the positions
5c Green, Light Green, Stone 1 (1). Two blocks of four, first original gum, margins to in, some faults including thins, tears and creases, bottom left stamp small hole, bottom right stamp small scuff, otherwise Fine and scarce block of the Light Green shade, second original gum, h.r. at top reinforcing crease ending in small tear, few small thin spots, other faults, otherwise Fine, ex Dr. Brandon
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5c Green, Stone 2 (1 var). Position 21, spur on upper left scroll, huge margins all around including significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves the variety clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for Extraordinary Quality
5c Olive Green, Stone A-B (1c). Huge margins all around including bottom left corner sheet margins, tied by "Richmond Va. Jan. 15, 1862" circular datestamp on cover to Salem Va., stamp with few flaws in sheet margins, cover expertly restored, Extremely Fine appearance, a massive stamp, ex Dr. Brandon
5c Olive Green, Stone A-B, 5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1c, 1). Two adversity covers, first stamp with large margins, rich color, tied by Va. circular datestamp on pink-lined stationery cover to Richmond Va., opened for display, few minor repaired edge tears, appears Extremely Fine, second three large margins, just in at bottom, tied by "Milledgeville Ga." circular datestamp on green-lined stationery cover to Americus Ga., opened for display, Very Fine
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5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Horizontal pair, large margins to full, tied by "Richmond Va. Dec. 24" circular datestamp on cover to Nashville Tenn. with "Confederate States of America, Treasury Department" imprint (TD-09), some slight toning also affects stamps, otherwise Very Fine
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Horizontal pair, margins showing full design all around, tied by "New Orleans La. 7 Mar. (1862)" circular datestamp on yellow cover to Athens Ga., some glue residue on back, Very Fine and scarce late use of a Confederate General Issue from New Orleans (the city fell to Federal forces the next month), ex Fekete, with 1990 Holcombe certificate
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Pen cancel, "Fair Play S.C. Jun. 11" manuscript postmark on turned cover addressed to Pickens C.H. S.C., first use franked with 5c Light Blue, De La Rue (6), tied by "Manchester Va. May 23, 1862" circular datestamp to Fair Play, edgewear and light staining on back, opened for display, otherwise Fine, a scarce turned cover with the Lithographed stamp used after the Typographed stamp, both paying the 5c rate, ex Fekete
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Large margins to just in, tied by light strike of "Macon Ga." double-circle datestamp on cover to Atlanta with "By First Train, No Delay, W. A. Huff, Wholesale Dealer in Bacon, Hay, Corn, Oats, Peas, Flour, Rye, Articles Good-Price Moderate-Time Fast" green illustrated cameo advertising design depicting a train, horse and wagon, worker unloading goods, W. Eaves imprint, 1862 docketing at rightVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL ILLUSTRATED CAMEO ADVERTISING COVER FOR A WHOLESALE GOODS DEALER. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST VISUALLY APPEALING ADVERTISING COVERS WITH THE FIRST CONFEDERATE GENERAL ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Ex Judd and Dr. Brandon. With 2014 P.F. certificate
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Large margins to clear, grid cancel and tied by filing crease, Fayetteville N.C. double-circle datestamp on "A. McKethan, Carriage Maker, Fayetteville N.C." embossed cameo corner card with illustration of a carriage, addressed to Marion C.H. S.C. and forwarded to Mars Bluff, manuscript "due 5" for forwarding postage, opening slit above the corner card, some minor wear and envelope creases, missing backflap, otherwise Fine and rare carriage maker advertising design, ex Dr. Warren
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Large to full margins all around, rich color, tied by bold strike of "Augusta Ga. Feb. 5" (1862) double-circle datestamp on cover to Blountville Ten. with "J. A. Ansley & Co. Commission Merchants Augusta, Ga" blue embossed cameo corner card, docketing at left with interesting notation "$8915", missing backflap, Extremely Fine, a particularly choice corner card advertising cover
10c Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig, Plate Proof on Wove (2P5). Full even margins, deep rich color on bright paper, detailed impression, Very Fine and beautiful example of this rare proof, these originate from a book kept by H. St. George Offutt, Chief of the Post Office Department's Contract Bureau, fewer than ten are known, with 2013 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Positions 34-37/44-47 from the transfer stone of 50, block of eight with bottom sheet margin and full "Lith. of Hoyer & Ludwig, Richmond, Va." imprint, original gum, ample to large margins other sides, rich color, two vertical creases and a couple of small thin spots which just break the paperVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE FIRST CONFEDERATE 10-CENT STAMP WITH FULL HOYER & LUDWIG IMPRINT.
We have offered only three other multiples of eight or larger with the full imprint -- the right pane of 100 (1985 Rarities sale), a block of 50 (ex Hall) and a block of eight (ex Dr. Brandon, offered in this sale as lot 193).
Ex Kilbourne. Unpriced in Scott or the C.S.A. Catalog as an imprint block. Scott value as two blocks of four with no premium for the imprint
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Positions 34-37/44-47 from the transfer stone of 50, block of eight with bottom sheet margin and full "Lith. of Hoyer & Ludwig, Richmond, Va." imprint, original gum, large margins other sides, bright color, few faults including few creases, small edge tears, thin spots, few toned spots and small hole in selvageVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE FIRST CONFEDERATE 10-CENT STAMP WITH FULL HOYER & LUDWIG IMPRINT.
We have offered only three other multiples of eight or larger with the full imprint -- the right pane of 100 (1985 Rarities sale), a block of 50 (ex Hall) and a block of eight (ex Kilbourne, offered in this sale as lot 192).
Ex Dr. Brandon. Unpriced in Scott or the C.S.A. Catalog as an imprint block. Scott value as two blocks of four with no premium for the imprint
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Large to full margins all around, deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Huge margins all around, absolutely incredible color and impression -- as close to a proof as possible -- tied by lightly struck "Tudor Hall Va." circular datestamp on immaculate cover to Mobile Ala., Extremely Fine Gem stamp and a pristine cover, ex Middendorf and Kilbourne, with 1998 P.F. certificate
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10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Huge margins all around, gorgeous color, tied by blue "Danville Va. May 6" (1861) circular datestamp on cover to Scottsburgh Va., blue embossed Danville Insurance Co. oval on backflap, mended backflap tears extend to small piece of front far from stamp, Extremely Fine Gem stamp and a beautiful cover, ex Haas and Kilbourne
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10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b var). Exceptional intense shade which is about as close to the rare Indigo as can be found on a Hoyer & Ludwig printing, huge margins all around, faintest trace of a vertical crease, tied by "Mobile Ala. Jul. 7, 1862" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Livingston Ala., cover with small corner nick at top left, Extremely Fine appearance, the stamp has absolutely beautiful color and impression, ex Caspary and Kilbourne
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Strip of three, massive Jumbo margins all around, deep rich color and detailed impression, cancelled by three strikes of red grid with matching "Sparta Ga. Feb. 25" (1862) circular datestamp on orange-buff cover to Vice President Alexander Stephens in Richmond Va., receipt docketing on back, left stamp with diagonal tear at upper left which is not at all obvious and takes close examination to detect, bottom backflap replaced (Stephens covers are normally missing a flap) and some cosmetic improvements at top of cover not affecting the stripEXTREMELY FINE GEM APPEARANCE. ON-COVER MULTIPLES OF THE 10-CENT BLUE LITHOGRAPH LARGER THAN A PAIR ARE RARE. THIS SPECTACULAR STRIP, WITH MASSIVE MARGINS ALL AROUND AND CANCELLED IN RED, ON A SMALL NEAT COVER TO C.S.A. VICE PRESIDENT STEPHENS, MAKES THIS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GENERAL ISSUE COVERS IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Shenfield and Finney. With 2014 P.F. certificate
10c Blue, Paterson (2). Horizontal pair, full margins to barely touched, tied by "Richmond Va. Oct. 11, 1862" circular datestamp on legal-size cover to Rocky Mount N.C. with "Confederate States of America, Department of Justice" imprint (JD-01) slightly reduced at top and missing part of top flap, some edge tears and other wear, otherwise Fine and scarce, ex Dr. Brandon
10c Blue, Paterson (2). Vertical strip of three, large margins to clear at lower left, tied by "Jackson Miss. Oct. 6, 1862" circular datestamp on buff cover to Brigadier General Jeptha Vining Harris in Columbus Miss., endorsed at top left "Hqrs State Miss, Adg. Genls Office Official Business", small edge tear at top not affecting strip, part of side flap missing, Very Fine, a rare triple-rate use of the 10c Paterson printing on cover, illustrated in Brian Green's Philatelic Foundation booklet (p. 5) and in 1986 Dietz catalog (p. 129), ex Kilbourne
10c Light Milky Blue, Stone Y (2e). Large margins, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. Oct. 2?" circular datestamp on cover to Chester S.C. with "State of South Carolina, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Official Business" imprint (S-SC-10), 1862 docketing at left, vertical file folds do not affect stamp, some edge tears with one at right just affecting imprint, otherwise Very Fine
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