Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 24c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 120-122)
24c Green & Violet (120). Wide and balanced margins, bright colors, bold red cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELED IN RED. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
Surviving used examples of high value 1869s often show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so for the example offered here.
With 1999 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00 for normal cancel). Only seven examples grade higher (highest is 98J). We have offered about half the stamps graded 95 or higher and only one other that we have encountered bears a red cancel
24c Green & Violet (120). Bright colors, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F., 2005 and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Near perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright colors and detailed impressions, unobtrusive cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Price. With 1997 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,700.00). Three others have 95 Jumbo grades (with none higher), but this stamp is a rival to each and every one of them
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Clear strike of "X" Japanese chop cancel of Yokohama, Japan, brilliant colors and well-centered, completely soundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH THE YOKOHAMA, JAPAN "X" CHOP CANCEL.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, clear but unobtrusive strike of red "1d" British Colonial credit handstamp, Very Fine and choice, especially desirable cancelled solely by this marking which was applied outside of the United States, ex Juhring, with 2002 and 2016 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, lightly struck cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND HUGE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO AN INDISPUTEDLY SOUND EXAMPLE.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the use on packages and the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869s.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $13,500.00). Only one other stamp shares this high grade. There is one Scott 122 that P.S.E. has graded higher -- at 98J -- but that stamp has 1997 and 2019 P.F. certificates stating "faint corner crease". If that stamp is resubmitted to P.S.E. it will probably be downgraded.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Brilliant colors and crisp impressions, very lightly cancelled leaving entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
These high-denomination stamps were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. They were often heavily cancelled by postal clerks to make sure they were not reused. The example offered here, with a very light cancel, is a rare exception to the rule.
Ex Dr. Graves ("Argentum") and "Natalee Grace". With 1983, 2009 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00). We are surprised this did not grade higher.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, wide margins, bold strike of blue circle of wedges cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH A BLUE CANCEL.
The 90c is very rare cancelled solely in blue.
Ex Rose. With 1995 and 2016 P.F. certificates