Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — 1861-68 Issues and Re-Issue
12c Intense Black, First Design (59). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, light vertical crease, some shortish perfs and a pulled perf at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY SIXTEEN EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE RAREST OF THE FIRST DESIGNS AND FIRST COLORS.
The 12c is the rarest of the 1861 First Designs and Colors, with a total of 16 examples recorded, including one in the Benjamin K. Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library. Our census of the 12c 1861 First Design, available at https://www.siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/59, contains only three sound copies.
Census no. 59-UNC-01. Ex "Alan". With 2010 P.F. certificate
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Selvage at right, radiant Pigeon Blood Pink color, choice centering, tied by "East Hamden Ct. Oct. 8" (1861) circular datestamp on buff cover to Moodus Conn., original enclosure dated Oct. 6, 1861, stamp with single short perf at left not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK ON COVER.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs. With clear 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Bright color, tied on small piece by perfectly struck "Union" and Flag fancy cancel of Healdsburg Cal., Extremely Fine strike, ex Dr. LeBow, with 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Tied by perfect strike of Dog's Head fancy cancel of Waterbury Conn. (Rohloff A-4), "Waterbury Con. Jan. 20 '66" double-circle datestamp on cover to Shelburne Mass., some toned spots removed and flaps reattached, none of these cosmetic improvements affect the markingsEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE AND DESIRABLE DOG'S HEAD FANCY CANCEL OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.
The last cover we offered was in our 1987 Rarities sale, used three days after the example offered here. The Henry Houser collection contained one used on January 17, 1866. The Haub collection contains a cover dated January 9, 1866 (ex Rohloff and Eubanks).
With 1986 P.F. certificate prior to improvements.
3c Rose (65). Radiant color, tied by Blue Bird fancy cancel with matching "Rockford Ill. ? 19" circular datestamp on Rock River Insurance Co. illustrated corner card cover to Winona Minn., detailed depiction of company headquarters with pedestrians and horses on street, Extremely Fine, a wonderful and very rare combination of the Rockford Blue Bird fancy cancel on an illustrated cover, ex Dr. Hinrichs, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). With top selvage and with intact perfs at bottom with portion of adjoining stamp, tied by perfect bold strike of Padlock fancy cancel, equally clear "Starkville N.Y. Feb. 6" circular datestamp on small pristine cover addressed in blue to West Kortright N.Y., slightly reduced at right, Extremely Fine, an exceptional strike, although the Waterbury Padlock has earned far greater recognition, in our opinion the Starkville Padlock is executed with equivalent skill, and the appearance of this cover leaves nothing more to be desired, ex Sheriff, with 1982 and 2004 P.F. certificates
A Magnificent Civil War Era Condom. Two printed advertising circulars from Mr. (Isaac) De Young of Philadelphia, one begins "Sir,--I have herein enclosed you a specimen of an article which I have been selling in Philadelphia ever since the year 1830", accompanied by the original enclosures--a DeYoung condom measuring an ambitious nine inches in length, together with an advertising handbill to be placed in a prominent position in the store--the handbill "To the Public" extols the virtues of the product called "Cundumns", explaining "Single young men use them to prevent themselves from becoming diseased when having intercourse with women of a public character," and also recommending them to married couples "to save the lives of thousands of wives...as many females have some malformation by nature, which prevents them from having a child, without losing the life of one or both", not to mention the benefit to "people in poor circumstances, and who find no pleasure in raising subjects for alms houses, poor houses, or work houses, or to be a tax upon the people"; it also provides a quick tutorial in how it is to be put on "when the sexual member of the male is in a proper condition for the purpose"--accompanied by original transmittal cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by target cancel with "Phila. Pa. Jan. 26, 1865" circular datestamp, addressed to the Postmaster of Bradford Me. (postmasters often ran general stores where various products were sold), cover roughly opened and stained, enclosures also slightly stained, the condom itself is in excellent unused condition (thankfully); the 1873 Comstock Act made distribution of information about birth control a federal criminal offense, along with distributing pornography and just about anything else Anthony Comstock considered immoral; offered on behalf of Jeff Purser and Melissa Wheeler, retired auction agents, who have for years appreciated the rarity and special nature of this philatelic phallic object, and now wish to pass it on to others--very rare (we know of one other with a stamped cover and another without)
24c Steel Blue (70b). Unused (no gum), rich true color in the unmistakable Steel Blue, faint vertical crease at rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT IN THE STEEL BLUE SHADE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate.
2c Black (73). Perfect centering with unusually wide margins for this tightly spaced issue, bright shade, neat cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1861 "BLACK JACK" IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 1981 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others. We have not encountered an example at this grade since our 2012 sale of the Kirke collection.
2c Black (73). Gorgeous centering with right straddle-pane margin showing significant portion of stamp in right pane, neat strike of target cancel with Jackson's eye peering out from the bullseye, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, ex Grunin and Haas, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Black (73). Singles used on six different colored envelopes, each addressed to Miss Angie Patterson in Prattsville N.Y., cancelled or tied by grids with Meriden Conn. double-circle datestamps, two with clear 1865 dates, bright and pristineVERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL MATCHED SET OF LADY'S COLORED STATIONERY ENVELOPES FRANKED WITH SINGLES OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK.
These may have contained invitations or announcements without handwriting (eligible for the 2c circular rate), but it was against regulations to seal such covers. The postmaster of Meriden possibly was as impressed with their beauty as we are, and let them go through.
Ex Metzger and Faust.
2c Black (73). With bottom part imprint and plate no. 50 selvage, deep shade, tied by cork cancel which leaves portrait and plate number untouched, part strike of "Philada. Pa. Post Office Jul. 16 2nd '67" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to local street address, small sealed tear at top left, faint discoloration at right not affecting stampVERY FINE. ONLY A HANDFUL OF EXAMPLES OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ARE KNOWN WITH THE ELUSIVE PLATE NUMBER 50. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINER OF TWO KNOWN ON COVER.
A total of seven plate numbers were used for the production of the 1863-68 Black Jack issues. Plate 50 is by far the rarest and is only known on Scott no. 73.
Ex Russo, Martin and Faust and from our 1984 Rarities sale.
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair with bottom part imprint and plate no. 51 selvage, nice centering and margins, tied by blue cork cancels with matching "Lebanon Tenn. Jul. 14" circular datestamp on cover to Nashville Tenn., some minor cover soiling and slightly reduced at rightVERY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT PAIR WITH THE FULL "NO. 51 PLATE" IMPRINT AND "NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY" NAME, USED ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER.
Ex Allen (illustrated in Lane book on p. 114), Metzger and Faust. Signed Ashbrook
2c Black (73). Used with 24c Lilac (78), 5c Brown (76) and 10c Green (68), tied by 8-Point Star in Circle cancels on blue folded letter to Milan, Italy, red "N. York Brem Pkt. Paid 24 May 7" (1864) 24c credit datestamp, blue "America/Uber Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp ties 2c stamp, wide variety of transit datestamps, credits and "AFFR. INSUF" straightline indicating insufficient postage, manuscript "7" decimes due, Very Fine, a rare four-color 1861-63 Issue franking to Italy via Bremen-Hamburg Mail, the single rate at this time was 23c so this was underpaid as a double rate, with 2018 P.F. certificate, ex Faust
2c Black on Light Manila wrapper, Die 4 (W57). Printed "WADE'S/P.O. BOOK./SOUTH BEND,/IND./Dec. 25, 1869" precancellation and postmark in five lines with part-printed "Postmaster" address to Clarion Pa.EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE PRINTED PRECANCEL ON A WRAPPER -- ONE EXAMPLE EACH OF TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS ARE RECORDED, THIS BEING THE FINER OF THE TWO. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT POSTAL STATIONERY AND CANCELLATION-RELATED BLACK JACK ITEMS.
The precancelled wrappers were produced by A. B. Wade, postmaster of South Bend, Indiana. Wade was a publisher of account books for keeping post office records. Two differently worded versions are known, each represented by one recorded example. The other, which is slightly toned, is shown in an exhibit of Black Jack postal stationery available at http://www.upss.org/assets/images/pdf/blackjack%20exhibit.pdf).
Ex Dr. Rorke (not part of the 1988 Christie's auction -- from a group sold later by Dr. Rorke through Siegel) and Faust
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Two, rich color in the true Blackish Violet shade, used with 5c Brown (76), tied by Geometric fancy cancels, "red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Aug. 1" (1864) circular datestamp, magenta "48" credit on cover to Shanghai, China--carried on the Cunarder Europa, departing Boston Aug. 3, 1864, and arriving Queenstown Aug. 15--
5c tied by red "London Paid MM AU 16 64" circular datestamp, red crayon "1" British Colonial credit marking, Hong Kong (Oct. 4) and Shanghai (Oct. 10) backstamps, missing part of top flap
VERY FINE. THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADES TO OBTAIN IN ANY FORM. ONLY TEN COVERS ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH MORE THAN ONE STAMP AND THE ONLY ONE TO CHINA. THIS IS THE FIRST WE HAVE OFFERED IN ALMOST A DECADE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
The 24c Blackish Violet, Scott 78c, is probably the rarest and most misunderstood of the various 24c shades. Our firm has offered almost all of the certified examples, including the finest original-gum and used off-cover copies. Our census, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/78c, records three unused, 50 used and ten covers. Of the ten recorded covers, eight are to England or Scotland and bear just the 24c stamp. One is to Italy and bears a 3c stamp to pay the 27c rate via French Mail. The cover offered here bears two Blackish Violet stamps plus a 5c stamp for the 53c rate via Marseilles. It is by far the most spectacular franking and use of the Blackish Violet.
Census no. 78c-COV-10. Ex Bolton. With 2021 P.F. certificate. Scott value for two off-cover stamps is $34,000.00, but anyone thinking about removing them from this cover to sell to stamp collectors should stop now.
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, clearly defined grill, detailed impression, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT F GRILL, GRADED XF 90 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.-- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The ungrilled version of this issue was released in 1866, about one year after President Lincoln was assassinated. It is regarded by many to be America's first commemorative issue, memorializing the martyred president as the nation started to heal from the wounds of the Civil War. In 1868 it was issued with three grill types: the Z Grill (Scott 85F), E Grill (Scott 91) and F Grill (Scott 98). 15c usually paid the registration fee on domestic mail or the U.S.-French treaty rate.
This is a difficult issue to find in higher grades. The P.S.E. Population Report contains two higher: one at 95, which we have not offered, and one at 98, last offered in our 2009 Whitman sale. Two others share this grade, but we have never offered them.
With 1985, 1994, 1999 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher and two others share this desirable grade.
3c Brown Red, Re-Issue (104). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, perfect strike of Baltimore "O" fancy cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. ONLY 24 USED STAMPS ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS AND THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST.
The 3c Re-Issue was printed from one of the original plates, which contained 200 subjects in two panes. 10,000 were printed (50 impressions). Only 465 of the 3c were sold; the remaining 9,535 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 104 used, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/104, records 24 examples, plus one with a non-contemporary cancel (not shown). Only seven are confirmed as sound, and several of those are off-center. Only two other confirmed sound examples compare favorably to the stamp offered here: 104-CAN-21, ex Merlin, and 104-CAN-17, Sale 1254, and graded VF-XF 85.
The cancel on this stamp is known to have been used in Baltimore at the time the 1861 and 1869 Re-Issues were used for postage by stamp dealers. Our records contain a copy of a cover bearing Scott Nos. 126 and 133 used with Nos. 205, 206 and 210 to Holland, mailed in 1884.
Census no. 104-CAN-12. Ex Drucker and Dr. Hinrichs. With 1991 P.F. certificate.
12c Black, Re-Issue (107). Sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, well-centered with wide margins, light strike of quartered cork cancel at bottom is essentially face-freeEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. OUR CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY SIXTEEN EXAMPLES AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST.
The 12c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 389 of the 12c were sold; the remaining 9,611 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 107 used, at https://siegel-auctions.com/census/us/scott/107, records only 16 examples with contemporary cancels. Of these, only nine are potentially sound. Two of the nine have not been examined since the early 1970s and are not confirmed as sound, leaving only seven confirmed sound copies. Of all the stamps in our census, this example has the most face-free cancel.
Census no. 107-CAN-02. Ex Twigg-Smith and Dr. Hinrichs. With 1984 and 2001 P.F. certificates
15c Black, Re-Issue (108). Choice centering, intense shade and impression, "2" in oval grid duplex cancel of New York CityVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. ONLY SIXTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR RECORDS.
The 15c Re-Issue was printed from the original plate of 200 subjects. 10,000 stamps were printed (50 impressions). Only 397 of the 15c were sold; the remaining 9,603 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 108 used, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/107, records only 16 examples. Of these only ten are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 108-CAN-03. Ex Sheriff, Twigg-Smith and Dr. Hinrichs. With 1952 A.P.S., 1977 and 2001 P.F. certificates.