Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — Scott 112-122 with Original Gum-PSE Set Registry #1 All-Time Finest Set
1c Buff (112). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, clear grill, phenomenal centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY ONE TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 1993 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is the only one to achieve this grade. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp is XF-Superb 95 Jumbo (one example).
2c Brown (113). Original gum, lightly hinged, with right part arrow selvage, detailed impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES THIS GRADE.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. The other example was offered in our Sale 967 in 2008 (realized $14,000 hammer) and has been off the market since then. We do not know why the SMQ value is only $7,500.
3c Ultramarine, Split Grill (114). Mint N.H. with part arrow right selvage, massive Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS ASTONISHING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO FROM P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
The 3c 1869 Pictorial represents a radical departure from the portraiture of all previous issues. The theme of improved postal communications was chosen for this value as well as the 2c (postal carrier on horseback) and the 12c (S.S. Adriatic, for transatlantic mail). The 3c locomotive train was possibly intended to celebrate the imminent completion of the transcontinental railroad.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo). This stamp stands alone as the highest graded Scott 114 in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used). None of the other values of the 1869 series boast a stamp graded above 95J in Mint N.H. condition.
6c Ultramarine (115). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
This stamp has always been recognized as one of the finest in existence. It brought almost seven times Scott value when it was offered in an Ivy, Shreve and Mader sale on Nov. 16, 1991.
With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. This is the first in this grade we have offered in six years.
10c Yellow (116). Original gum, vibrant color on crisp paper, perfectly centered, trace of guide arrow at top left
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENALLY BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS ACHIEVED THE P.S.E. GRADE OF SUPERB 98 — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98). This is the only original-gum example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded in any category.
12c Green (117). Original gum, single light hinge mark, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, essentially perfect centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The iconic S.S. Adriatic engraving by James Smillie, which is depicted on the 12c 1869 Pictorial Issue, served as a symbol of improved postal communications — a theme continued from the 1869 2c (post rider) and 3c (train) denominations.
With 1999 and 2000 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (OG, Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. The other 98J stamp was sold in our 2019 Rarities sale.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Original gum, fresh colors, well-centered with balanced margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
In his book on the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Jonathan Rose notes that essays were made for both the Type I and II designs prior to the time the stamps were issued. The stamps were put on the press twice — first for the vignette and then for the frame. The challenge for the plate printer was to properly align the vignette when printing the frame. The addition of surrounding lines in the Type II design made any misalignment less noticeable.
This is a very difficult stamp to obtain in sound condition with original gum and choice centering. The P.S.E. Population Report statistics bear this out, with only two stamps graded higher than the example offered here.
With 1994 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80). Only two grade higher: one at 85, last offered to the market in our 2006 "Scarsdale" sale, and one at 95, which was graded in 2005 and we have never offered. Only one other shares this grade, which demonstrates how difficult this is to find in superior condition. SCV $9,000.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and exceptionally detailed impressions, unusually choice centering for this issue
EXTREMELY FINE. A BREATHTAKING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED VF-XF 85 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER AND ONE OTHER SHARES THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Ex Dr. Morris and our 1995 Rarities sale. With 1995 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85). Only two grade higher (both at 90; we last offered one in our 2006 "Scarsdale" sale) and one other shares this grade (last offered by us in 2017).
24c Green & Violet (120). Original gum, deep rich color on crisp paper, long and full perforations all around, almost perfect centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY ONE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 24c vignette was engraved by James Smillie from John Trumbull’s oil painting Declaration of Independence. There are two versions of this painting; one hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and the other at Yale University. Contrary to the popular belief that this painting depicts the signing ceremony, Trumbull actually painted a romanticized image of the presentation of the Declaration draft. There are 47 individuals portrayed in the painting, and the tiny engraving captures virtually all of them in minute detail. A similar engraving appears on the back of the 1863 First Charter $100 note, and the vignette is also found on 10c 1869 essays.
With 1992 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve this grade. The next highest grade is a single example graded 90, which we offered in our Sale 921 in 2006, followed by one at 85 and one at 80 (we have never offered them).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright and fresh colors, perfectly centered with wide margins all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The rarity of centered original-gum examples of the 30c 1869 with grill is somewhat obscured by the availability of off-center copies of the 30c with and without grill. If the scope were narrowed to Scott 121 only, in the grade of Extremely Fine, we estimate that fewer than 25 examples would be counted. Among the qualifying stamps, this is without a doubt one of the finest two or three.
With 1986 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (we have never offered it).
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, rich colors and detailed impressions, exceptionally choice centering and wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED VF-XF 85 BY P.S.E. ONLY FOUR GRADE HIGHER AND ONE OTHER SHARES THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
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 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" or "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869s. The stamp offered here, with lightly hinged original gum and choice centering, is one of the finest surviving 90c 1869s in unused or original-gum state.
With 1992 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85). Only four grade higher: one at 90J sold by us in 2024 and three at 95 (we last sold one for $47,500 hammer in 2017). One other shares this grade (we have never offered it).