Lot 2039 o
1851, 1¢ blue, types I & Ib, positions 7-8R1E, horizontal pair, neat complimentary blue grid cancels, margins large to just touching scroll and plume at bottom left, strong and vividly bright distinctive plate one early color with a crisp detailed impression on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, ex-Caspary, Ishikawa, Klein & Floyd; with 1996, 2006 and 2024 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 5, 5A $85,000.
AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE USED SOUND PAIR OF THE 1851 1¢ TYPE I ISSUE FROM POSITION 7 & 8 ON THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY - ONE OF THE GREAT CLASSIC MULTIPLES OF THE 19TH CENTURY.
According to the Jerome S. Wagshal census of the 1851 1¢ imperforate type I, there are only 98 examples in all recorded. This example is one of a small handful of examples showing the complete design and one of a few also in sound condition. Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early provided stamps qualifying as Type Ib -- Positions 3-6R and 8-9R -- distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away, with the exception of 7R. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.nnAccording to the Jerome S. Wagshal census of the Scott #5-5A combinations from positions 7-8RIE (this pair being 5-MUL-060) there are only eight such combinations known with pair being among the finest.nnPast auction descriptions have mentioned a couple of trivial flaws however, in our opinion, these are not evident and are perceived flaws by past describers. A 1980 Philatelic Foundation certificate (#92312, missing) mentions, "tiny surface surface scuff at upper right", however we find no evidence of this and this was confirmed by subsequent Foundation certificates in 1996 and 2006. Both of which make no mention of any faults of any kind.nnTo this end we resubmitted the pair for expertising specifically requesting that the condition be examined in detail to confirm the condition. A brand new 2024 Philatelic Foundation certificate has been issued with no mention of any flaws.
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Realized: $90,000
Lot 2205 o
1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia, Position 99R4, outstanding centering with design only being just touched by perf holes at top and bottom, beautiful deep rich color enhancing a crisp detailed impression on fresh bright paper, light target cancel leaving all characteristics of the rare type clearly visible, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex-Ishikawa, V. Morris & Twigg-Smith; with 1972, 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $85,000).Scott No. 19 $10,000.
WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1857 1¢ TYPE IA PERFORATED ISSUE. ONE OF THE TREASURES OF THE GRASSI COLLECTION AND OF ALL UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The example offered here, with perforations completely clear of the design and showing the full type characteristics at bottom, is a true condition rarity.
Only one has graded higher (the wide-setting copy, graded 98J) and one other shares this grade.
Realized: $42,500
Lot 2040 o
1851, 1¢ blue, type Ib, Position 3R1E, huge margins showing significant portion of adjacent stamp left, wonderful plate one early shade and impression, bright pristine Post Office fresh paper, light strike of blue town cancel leaving virtually the entire design clearly visible, an Extremely Fine gem; with 2001 P.F. & 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $27,500) with only one example graded higher.Scott No. 5A $6,750.
THIS GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 1¢ BLUE TYPE IB FROM PLATE ONE EARLY HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF 95 FROM P.S.E., BUT WITH EYE-APPEAL SECOND TO NONE.
The type 1b issues were only produced from the early state of plate one. Six positions at the top of the right plate, positions 3R-6R and 8R-9R, furnished all of these types distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. Out of the six positions, positions 6R & 8R are known as the best examples as the scrolls are nearly complete at the bottom while the lesser examples the scrolls at bottom are not as complete. Due to near complete scrolls at the bottom, many examples of type 1b are cut into at the bottom. The stunning example offered has large margins all around and shows the entire design.
Realized: $16,000
Lot 2712 o
1870, 10¢ brown, I. grill, N.B.N.C. printing, fancy Star cancel, beautifully centered amid wide margins, rich color on bright paper, an Extremely Fine and choice jumbo; with 1954 & 2019 P.F. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90 XQ denoting Extraordinary Quality) plus 2019 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF 90J, SMQ $32,500).Scott No. 139A $10,000.
CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10¢ I. GRILL ISSUE - A GREAT BANKNOTE RARITY WITH APPROXIMATELY 15 EXAMPLES KNOWN IN ANY CONDITION.
This is the highest graded 1870 10¢ I. Grill by the P.F. and P.S.E. and the sole example.
Realized: $20,000
Lot 2333 o
1861, 3¢ pigeon blood pink, perfectly centered with evenly balanced margins all around, rich radiant true pigeon blood pink color on bright paper, neat bold blue Cincinnati, O. town cancel, Extremely Fine to Superb; with 2001 P.F. & 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $22,250).Scott No. 64a $4,250.
A PHENOMENAL USED GEM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1861 3¢ PIGEON BLOOD PINK ISSUE - WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
This only example to receive this grade by the P.S.E. with no examples higher and the next best grade is a 90.
Realized: $17,000
Lot 2210 o
1857, 1¢ blue, type III, position 99R2, light unobtrusive town cancellation, exceptionally well centered within large margins clearly showing design characteristics at top and bottom, rich bold color, tiny ½mm tear at top right, still an Extremely Fine gem; with 2010 P.S.E. & 2010, 2021 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 21 $7,250.
IN OUR OPINION, THIS IS THE FINEST APPEARING EXAMPLE WITH SUPERB CENTERING OF ONLY APPROXIMATELY 15 KNOWN 1857 1¢ TYPE III PERFORATED STAMPS FROM POSITION 99R2.
Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2). Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form. Most perforated examples of position 99R2 have perforations cutting into the design on at least one side. The example offered here remarkably shows all design characteristics perfectly.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, the majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2. According to the Neinken book, "The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry, that was short transferred both at top and bottom, over an original entry that had been erased… The reason that 99R2 is the finest example of Type III is because of its very short transfer at top and at bottom, giving us the wide breaks in these lines." (proof. 184).
According to the Siegel Census, there are 13 known used singles of the 1857 1¢ Type III Position 99R2. Of these, this is by far the finest centered example.
Lot 2483 o
1863, 2¢ black, socked-on-the-nose strike of vivid red Circle of Diamonds fancy cancel, large even margins, detailed impression with rich color, Extremely Fine; with 2018 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 73 Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A STUNNING GEM OF BREATHTAKING BEAUTY. THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FAMOUS FAUST COLLECTION OF BLACKJACKS, WHICH REALIZED $22,000 IN 2018.
Words can not begin to describe the beauty and rarity of this gem. It is perfectly centered with uncommonly large margins, deep color, all complimented by this outstanding cancellation.
Realized: $14,000
Lot 2552 o
1867, 3¢ rose, C. grill, cancelled by fancy Blue Bird of Rockford, Ill., deep rich color, well defined grill, choice centering with full perforations all around, an Extremely Fine gem, ex-Welling, V. Morris, Hinrichs and Scarsdale; with 1985, 1994 & 2004 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 83 Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
WIDELY REGARDED BY STUDENTS OF UNITED STATES STAMPS AS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3¢ ROSE C. GRILL IN EXISTENCE.
Lot
2752 o
1870, 12¢ dull violet, N.B.N.C. printing, Block of 4, cancelled by four strikes of fancy Negative Star in blue, unbelievable centering, particularly for a block, full and long perforations, bright color and lovely impression, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Caspary; with 2000 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 151 Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
CERTAINLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL USED PHILATELIC ITEM OF THE BANKNOTE ERA - A STUNNING GEM FOR THE CONNOISSEUR!
Realized: $8,000
Lot 2296 o
1860, 90¢ blue, neat Savannah, Ga. town cancel, well centered amid wide margins, deep intense color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, amongst the finest used examples known, ex-Gorham; with 2002, 2006 & 2022 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 39 $11,000.
A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 90¢ ISSUE CANCELED SOLELY BY THE SAVANNAH GA. TOWNMARK.
Realized: $7,500