Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 24c-90c 1860 Issue (Scott 37-39)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Gorgeous centering on bright paper, "New Orleans La. Mar. 15 (1861)" Confederate State circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT GRAY LILAC, WITH A CONFEDERATE STATE DATESTAMP AND GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.
With 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
24c Gray (37a). Well-proportioned margins, rich color, light strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel as well as part of London transit and trace of red cancel at lower left, Extremely Fine example of this shade variety, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00), only three grade higher (at 95)
24c Gray Lilac (37). Rich color, cancelled by blue Baltimore circular datestamp and red "19" credit handstamp, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Three wide margins, barely in at top, cancelled by vivid red "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Oct. 3" circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 and 2006 P.F. certificates
24c Gray Lilac (37). Tied by well-struck red "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Sep. 5" circular datestamp on small blue piece, Very Fine and choice, great eye appeal, with 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Fresh color and crisp impression nicely complemented by blue "Chicago Supplementary Mail Feb. 6" circular datestamp, accompanying certificate notes small stained spot at top left which is really just one slightly toned perf, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Saadi, with 2014 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Rich color, neat strike of "Newburg B. & O. R. R. Dec. 22, 1860" Baltimore & Ohio Railroad route agent's oval datestamp, small faults, still a rare cancel, ex Saadi, with 1978 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac (37). Choice centering for this difficult issue, cancelled solely by unusual circle of rays fancy cancel, Very Fine, with 1979 and 2007 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Intense shade and impression, cancelled by perfect strike of red large Circular Grid of Diamonds of New Haven Conn.VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE CANCELLED BY THE NEW HAVEN RED GRID OF DIAMONDS.
Ex Saadi. With 1991 and 2014 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Vibrant color and well-proportioned margins, magenta grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00 as normal cancel)
30c Orange (38). Bright color, well-proportioned margins, neat strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, an exceptionally attractive example of this issue, with 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Fresh color and choice centering, red "Supplementary Mail" Type A handstamp, Very Fine, this handstamp is rarely found struck on this issue, the choice condition is an extra bonus, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (38). Intense shade and impression, two strikes of unusual "prison bars" grid cancel of Columbus, O., also with part of red Aachen Franco boxed datestamp, Very Fine, unusual cancels on this issue, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (38). Rich color nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp and matching grid cancels, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (38). Bright shade, well-struck red "Paid 30" in circle handstamp, small thins, tiny corner creases at bottom corners, still an Extremely Fine strike of this scarce rate marking, with 2006 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (39). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of blue circular datestamp (probably Baltimore Md.)EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WITH GORGEOUS CENTERING AND A BLUE CIRCULAR DATESTAMP CANCEL.
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 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 are scarce, and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare.
Ex Saadi and Bowman. With 1991 and 2014 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (39). Well-centered with wide margins, rich color, cancelled by clear strike of New York Ocean Mail datestamp with integral grid entirely on stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. ESPECIALLY SCARCE WITH A NEW YORK OCEAN MAIL CANCEL.
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 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 are scarce, and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare.
With 1964, 1995 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
90c Blue (39). Deep rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WITH GORGEOUS CENTERING, RICH COLOR AND A RED GRID CANCEL.
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 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 are scarce, and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare.
With 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates
90c Blue (39). Deep rich color, wide margins, Savannah, Ga circular datestamp cancel with "Nov." of 1860 date clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE USED FROM SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.
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 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 are scarce, and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare.
Lincoln's election on November 6, 1860, the month when this stamp was used, set off an insurrection in the pro-slavery Southern states. Georgia seceded from the Union on January 18, 1861, and postal relations were severed starting June 1. This use from Savannah in the short period before Georgia seceded and the stamps were declared invalid for postage is a rare postal artifact.
With 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates