Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1857-60 Issue and 1875 Reprint (Scott 18-47)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, extraordinarily choice centering with wide margins showing almost every detail of the complete design, deep rich color, very lightly cancelled, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90), much better quality than the 90 grade would suggest
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, nicely centered with all design characteristics complete, neat red grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 96L4, deep rich color, face-free circular datestamp cancel leaves design characteristics clearly visibleFINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia.
Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Although Plate 4 was designed with sufficient space to accommodate perforations, the height of the top row and bottom row positions resulted in the perforations often cutting into the design at either top or bottom.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 9L4 from the top row of Plate 4, intense shade on bright paper, perfs essentially clear of complete design at top (the important characteristic of top row stamps from this plate), face-free circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Top row of Plate 4, intense shade, face-free cancel by the rim of a circular datestamp, couple unpunched perfs at left, otherwise Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, wonderful bright shade and choice centering, cancelled by perfect strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A CHALLENGING ISSUE RARELY SEEN WITH SUCH BEAUTIFUL COLOR AND CANCELLATION.
Ex "European Connoisseur"
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, beautifully balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, nicely complemented by red "Paid/U.S. Mail/City Delivery/1" one-cent integral-rate New York City carrier datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CARRIER DATESTAMP.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on a portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, wide margins clearly showing the broken lines at top and bottom, rich color, face-free strike of New York Ocean Mail cancel with integral grid struck on stamp, Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, brilliant color and paper, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned margins, light cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Plates 11 and 12 were probably made in June 1860, with less than six months left in Toppan Carpenter's contract. Stamps from these plates frequently have poor centering. The example offered here, with bright color, balanced margins and a light cancel, is truly remarkable.
Ex Merlin and "Natalee Grace". With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,550.00). Only two grade higher (both 95J).
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, recut once at top and bottom, deep rich color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins which clearly show the characteristics of the type, clear strike of circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE IV.
With 1983 P.F., 2003 and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,150.00). Only four grade higher (all at 95).
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Wide margins and near mathematically perfectly centering, bright color on crisp paper, neat strike of San Francisco circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE V, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). Only one stamp grades higher (at 98J) and no other stamp shares this grade
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Wide margins and precise centering, deep rich color complemented by bold strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE V, CANCELLED IN RED.
With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (98 used)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Choice centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, beautiful brilliant color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $800.00), only two grade higher (at 98J)
5c Brick Red (27). Choice centering and margins, brilliant Brick Red color, light strike of red circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL 1857 5-CENT BRICK RED WITH OUTSTANDING COLOR, CENTERING AND RED CANCELLATION.
With 2017 P.S.A.G. certificate (85 used)
5c Brick Red (27). With bottom sheet selvage, bright color, margins showing complete design elements all around, face-free corner strike of circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, with 1994 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (28). Perfect centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, beautiful warm shade on bright paper, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and deep rich color, is a true condition rarity.
Ex Kirke. With 2000 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other example has achieved this grade, a statistic that has not changed since 2010.
5c Indian Red (28A). Almost perfectly centered with perfs clear on three sides and barely touching bottom projections, intense Indian Red shade with fiery orange hue, wonderful impression and lightly cancelled by New Orleans circular datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND VIBRANT SHADE OF INDIAN RED, THE MOST DESIRABLE COLOR VARIETY OF THE 5-CENT 1857 ISSUE.
We removed this stamp from a piece addressed to France with a 10c Green, Ty. III (33). The additional stamp (Scott value $190.00) and piece accompany this beautiful 5c Indian Red.
Ex "European Connoisseur'. With 2015 P.F. certificate.
5c Brown (29). Choice centering with perfs well clear of projections on all sides, warm shade and rich color, town datestamp lightly applied to upper left corner completely away from portrait, Extremely Fine, exceptional quality for this difficult issue, ex Zoellner, with 1988 P.F. certificate, 2015 P.S.E. certificate no longer accompanies (XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00), with 2015 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 used) -- we consider this a solid 95
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Beautiful rich color, essentially perfect centering with perfs far from design all around, red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN WITH A VIVID RED CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
5c stamps in the Orange Brown shade (Scott 30) were printed from Plate 2 in 1861 (EDU is May 8). They were the last stamps of the 1857 Issue distributed before the U.S. Post Office Department demonetized all circulating stamps in August 1861, in order to prevent their use in the seceded states. Given the short period of time they could be used, the 5c Orange Brown (like the 90c) is very scarce in used condition. It is much more plentiful in unused condition due to leftover supplies found in Southern post offices after the Civil War.
Ex Lewis Hall. With 2001 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Beautifully centered with balanced margins, warm color on fresh paper, faintly cancelled in purple -- appears unused at a glanceEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT TYPE II ORANGE BROWN.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,300.00 for normal cancel). Only five examples grade higher (highest is 95)
5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Horizontal pair, well-centered, brilliant fiery color, red grid cancels, right stamp has thin speck and short perf at top, appears Very Fine, used multiples of the 1861 5c Orange Brown are very scarce, since the stamp was used only briefly before Civil War demonetization, ex "European Connoisseur"
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Beautiful centering with enormous side margins, pretty shade, bold strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Saadi, with 1987, 1989 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ)
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Well-centered and wide margins, with design characteristics clearly visible, rich color, face-free corner strike of circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. II (32). Perfectly centered within wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and detailed impression, red circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE II, WITH A BOLD RED CANCEL AND GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Dr. Dauer and Merlin. With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it, offered in the following lot
10c Green, Ty. II (32). Essentially perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and detailed impression, unobtrusive 1859 circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE II, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Morton. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). A 2009 P.F. certificate graded XF-Superb 95 no longer accompanies -- but we feel P.S.E. got it right with this stamp. Superb 98 is the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report, and it is shared by only one other, offered in the previous lot
10c Green, Ty. III (33). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, rich color, red grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ)
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, deep rich color, choice centering with balanced margins, red cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM THE ONLY POSITION RECUT AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM -- CANCELLED IN RED AND GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
The 1857 10c Type IV stamps come from only eight positions scattered throughout Plate 1, that have the top, bottom, or in the case of Position 64L (the stamp offered here), both lines recut. 64L1 is the only position to show both lines recut and as such it is the best example of the type. Only 4% of all 10c Plate 1 stamps produced were Type IV, and an even smaller percentage was issued with perforations.
With 1987 P.F., 1995 and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,000.00 without regard to the double recut). There are four stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report graded higher than this example -- at 95. We have offered two of them and neither is from Position 64L. This is the highest graded example of this premium position we have offered
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, rich color nicely complemented by red "New York Paid Oct. 3" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp with a red cancel, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00)
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Wide margins and choice centering, rich color complemented by red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $525.00)
12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Beautifully centered, intense shade, red grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, deep shade and proof-like impression nicely contrasted by face-free strike of red 3c credit datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE PERFORATED 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3, AND IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The most recent scholarship regarding the Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. plates used to print the 12c 1851-57 Issue is clearly articulated by James A. Allen in "The 1851 Imperforate (Scott U.S. #17): Plating Updated and Additional New Findings" (The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective, U.S. Philatelic Classics Society). Traditionally, the 12c plates are identified as Plate 1 (from which all imperforate and some perforated stamps were printed), Plate 2 (evidently never used) and Plate 3 (which produced stamps that were only regularly issued with perforations). It is highly probable that Plate "3" was the first one made in 1851, but it was put aside and not used until 1859.
Plate 3 stamps (Scott 36B) are characterized primarily by uneven or broken outer framelines of the design. The subjects on Plate 1, which produced Scott Nos. 17 and 36, have even framelines that were extensively recut. Plate 3 stamps with the centering and wide margins evident in this example are very scarce.
Ex Drucker and "Natalee Grace". With 1982 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $6,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is equaled by no others
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Attractive centering and margins, intense shade contrasted by bold and deep red New York British Packet "Paid" circular datestamp, Very Fine
24c Gray Lilac (37). Essentially perfect centering with extra wide margins at sides, bright color, light strike of red grid cancel leaves the entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY 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.
The 24c stamps were not printed and put into use until July 1860 (earliest documented use is July 7). The issue was demonetized thirteen months later. The 24c denomination matched the U.S.-G.B. treaty rate, and the stamp was primarily used on letters to England. These circumstances of a short life and limited use, combined with Toppan Carpenter's typically erratic perforating, are the reasons why superb used examples of the 24c 1860 are so difficult to find.
Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only five others share this desirable grade.
24c Gray Lilac (37). Attractive centering and margins, tied by perfect strike of red "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Dec. 12" circular datestamp on small piece, Very Fine
30c Orange (38). Well-centered with balanced margins, rich color, red grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.F. certificate
12c Greenish Black, Reprint (44). Without gum as issued, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, outstanding centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 REPRINT, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
The narrow spaces between stamps on the 12c 1857 Reprint plate allowed almost no room for large 12-gauge perforations, and the Reprints were generally perforated into parts of the design. Only 489 were sold, and examples such as this, with the framelines complete on all four sides, are extremely rare.
With 2018 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $8,500.00). Only one has graded slightly higher (at 90J) and only three others share this grade.