Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 24c-90c 1860 Issue (Scott 37-39)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, brilliant color nicely complemented by red circular datestamp with integral "19" creditEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Merlin. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $8,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only five others share this desirable grade.
24c Gray (37a). Darker shade and sharper impression than the normal shade, choice centering for this difficult issue with well-proportioned margins and perforations clear of outer projections on all sides, neat strike of circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT IN THE DISTINCT GRAY SUB-SHADE. THIS SHADE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
In our opinion the 24c 1860 Issue in the Gray shade is considerably scarcer than the main shade listing and deserves a higher catalogue value. The P.S.E. Population Report contains more than 170 copies of the basic shade of Scott No. 37 versus only 38 in all categories for the Gray shade.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
30c Orange (38). Choice centering for this difficult issue, vibrant color beautifully complemented by dark red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860, CANCELLED IN VIVID RED AND 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, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.
With 1992, 2003 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,800.00 for normal cancel). Only three grade higher
30c Orange (38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, crisp white paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, barest trace of blue cancel at bottom left, appears unusedEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS LIGHTLY CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.
Ex Renne, Yost and "Scarsdale". With 1980, 1995, 2002 and 2008 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (39). Rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, neat strike of Philadelphia circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES IN CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY TO OBTAIN AS A USED STAMP IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound. Of these sound examples, many are off-center.
Ex Wagshal and Merlin. Small red backstamp. With 1979 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $26,000.00). Only one used example grades higher (at 95) and one other shares this grade.