Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and well-centered, light natural gum bend and small faint natural inclusion in right margin — neither mentioned on accompanying P.F. or P.S.E. certificates
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. A SCARCE STAMP IN CENTERED AND SOUND CONDITION.
The 1870 90c National Ungrilled Issue, Scott 155, is somewhat overshadowed by its grilled counterpart, Scott 144. Collectors are also misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 90c 1873 Continental. Although the difference in shades is distinct, collectors have a tendency to confuse the two and underrate the 1870 National printing.
With 2000 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates.
6c Carmine (148). Used as forwarding postage with Germany 1872 1gr Rose, Large Shield (17) and three 5gr Bister, Large Shield (20), tied by "Bremen 8 6 74" (June 8, 1874) circular datestamps on cover to J. L. Ruyter Jr., a clerk in the firm of Schmidt, Westphal & Co., Nagasaki, Japan, sender's directive "Via Marseille", blue "Allemagne Paq. Paris 1E/10 Juin 74" arrival datestamp, red "P.P." handstamp, Lyon-to-Marseilles and Marseilles (June 11) backstamps--carried on the French Ligne N Sindh, departing Marseilles June 11, arriving Hong Kong July 25, then by Ligne S Menzaleh—"Shang-Hai Chine" French Post Office double-circle datestamp on back (date unreadable), the cover was handed to the U.S. Postal Agency, U.S. stamp was affixed to pay the 6c interconsular rate and tied by circle of wedges cancel, "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Jul. 29" circular datestamp--carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. branch-line steamer Costa Rica, departing Shanghai July 29, 1874, and arriving Nagasaki days later--docketing on back indicates August 2 receipt date, U.S. stamp has gum soaks and corner crease
VERY FINE. A TRULY REMARKABLE MIXED-FRANKING COVER—ORIGINATING IN GERMANY WITH THE 1872 LARGE SHIELD ISSUE PAYING POSTAGE TO SHANGHAI VIA MARSEILLES, AND SENT FROM U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKI WITH A 6-CENT BANK NOTE ISSUE STAMP PAYING THE INTERCONSULAR RATE. THIS COVER IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND IMPRESSIVE ARTIFACTS OF THE POSTAL HISTORY OF CHINA AND JAPAN.
This cover from Germany to Nagasaki, Japan, was mailed in 1874, the last year of the foreign post offices in Japan. Beginning January 1, 1875, the new Japanese Foreign Postal Service took over international mails, and the U.S. post offices in Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hiogo and Hakodate closed.
Once this cover reached Marseilles, it entered the French postal system and was transported to the French post office in Shanghai. Since France had no postal service from Shanghai to Nagasaki in 1874, the correspondent's agent in Shanghai gave the cover to the United States Postal Agency, and an additional 6c for the interconsular rate was paid with a Bank Note stamp. The German 16 groschen paid double the 8-groschen per 10 grams rate to Japan. There is one other similar cover from the same correspondence, which was sold in Magnolia Part 1 (Sale 1248, lot 2062). They are the only German-U.S. mixed frankings through the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai known to us.
Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 123) and Hansmichael Krug, "Postverkehr mit Australien und Japan." Ex Gibson, Burrus, Ichida and "Magnolia".
2c Carmine Vermilion, Special Printing (180). Without gum as issued, intense color and proof-like impression, intact perforations without any scissors-separation, a couple nibbed perfs at top
FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CARMINE VERMILION CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. ONLY 24 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 180 at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/180 contains 24 examples of this rare Special Printing, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, which leaves 23 available to collectors. Approximately half are confirmed as sound, but most are not well-centered.
Census no. 180-UNC-05. Ex Hale, Weisman, Floyd and Berman. With 1992 P.S.E. and 1953, 1969 and 1998 P.F. certificates.
3c Green (184). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner sheet selvage, massive margins and choice centering, deep rich color, corner crease in extreme edge of selvage is immaterial and not mentioned on any certificate
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING CORNER-MARGIN MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 3-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2008, 2012 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. and it is shared by only two others (this is the only one we have offered).
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H. block of twelve from bottom of left pane with "PRINTED BY THE CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 31" plate number, radiant color, expertly sealed tear in selvage below third stamp from left, few minor perf separations
VERY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1879 15-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 189.
When the American Bank Note Co. took over Continental in 1879, some of the Continental plates were used before new plates with American imprints were made. The American printings from Continental plates can be distinguished by the soft porous paper and shade. In the case of the 15c, new plates were never made, so they all show the Continental imprint. The distinguishing factors are color and paper.
Ex Colonel Green (as pane of 100), Chapin and Gross.
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, vibrant color
FRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 7-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 196 at siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/196 contains 90 examples. This sound and well-centered stamp is one of the finest.
Census no. 196-UNC-21. Ex Col. Green, Geisler and "Adventurer". Signed Stern. With 1991, 2002 and 2023 P.F. certificates.
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (197). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. ONLY 33 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census of Scott 197 at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/197 contains 34 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 33 available to collectors. Of these, at least eleven have faults, leaving only 22 sound or potentially sound examples (seven have not been examined in many years). This is one of the finest extant.
Census no. 197-UNC-01. Ex Gorham. With 1991 P.S.E., 1946, 1988 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
12c Blackish Purple, Special Printing (198). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE-MARGINED SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 198 at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/198 contains 65 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 64 available to collectors. Of these, at least one-third have flaws. Many have poor centering as well. Only thirteen are confirmed as sound, and of these only seven have decent centering. This sound and well-centered example is among the finest.
Census no. 198-UNC-08. Ex Hetherington. With 1957 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 24-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING
Our census of Scott 200 at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/200 contains 71 examples, including stamps in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library and The Philatelic Foundation's Luff reference collection, leaving 69 potentially available to collectors. More than 20 are confirmed as sound, but of these only approximately a half dozen have decent centering.
Census no. 200-UNC-29. Ex Zoellner and Berman. With 1986 and 1998 P.F. certificates.
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, exceptional centering for any Bank Note stamp, much less for a rare Special Printing
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 22 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT GARFIELD 1882 SPECIAL PRINTING, GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The American Bank Note Co. Special Printing on soft paper was made in 1880 to supply the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office with specimens of stamps for sale to collectors, as part of the Special Printing program. The 7c and 24c stamps had been discontinued when the 1879 Issue regular issue was printed by American on soft paper. Except for those two values, the others on soft paper (with gum) were available in post offices. For this reason, few collectors or dealers felt compelled to order the Special Printing stamps from the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office before the program ended in July 1884. At that point, any unsold stamps were destroyed.
In 1882 the 5c Garfield replaced the old 5c Taylor design, resulting in a new stamp (Scott 205) and a new Special Printing (Scott 205C). This Special Printing was the subject of an article by William E. Mooz in Chronicle 153 (February 1992). Mooz had a well-reasoned theory that a small delivery of the Special Printing (400 stamps) was available from the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office before the stamp was issued. Of these, it is possible that only 100 looked like the 5c Garfield stamps recognized as Special Printings today. Mooz offered evidence and analysis to show that the majority of 2,463 5c Garfield stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
Our census of Scott 205C at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/205C contains 23 examples, including one in the Luff reference collection at The Philatelic Foundation. Its rarity matches or exceeds Scott 180 (24 known) and 211D (28 known). This is easily one of the finest.
Census no. 205C-UNC-12. Ex Neinken, "Southern Cross", Weisman, Lyons, McKinney and Hoffman. With 1944 A.P.S. and 1993 P.S.E. certificates. With 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
4c Deep Blue Green, Special Printing (211D). Without gum as issued, intense shade and proof-like impression, with sheet selvage at right
EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE SELVAGE.
The American Bank Note Co. Special Printing on soft paper was made in 1880 to supply the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office with specimens of stamps for sale to collectors, as part of the Special Printing program. The 7c and 24c stamps had been discontinued when the 1879 Issue regular issue was printed by American on soft paper. Except for those two values, the others on soft paper (with gum) were available in post offices. For this reason, few collectors or dealers felt compelled to order the Special Printing stamps from the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office before the program ended in July 1884. At that point, any unsold stamps were destroyed.
The Third Assistant PMG supply records indicate that when the Special Printings program was discontinued in July 1884, 55 copies of the 2c 1883 Special Printing (211B) and 26 copies of the 4c 1883 Special Printing (211D) had been sold. The 2c stamps now classified as Scott 211B actually come from an 1885 steam-press printing and are not the same stamps sold through the Third Assistant PMG.
Our census figures for Scott 211D pose an enigma. Only 26 copies of Scott 211D were sold, but 28 different examples are identified in our census. Even if two of the stamps are disqualified, a 100% survival rate is extraordinary. The stamp offered here can be traced back to the Heiman March 1945 sale of the Colonel Edward H. R. Green collection (lot 154).
Eight of the 28 come from two blocks of four that were divided into singles. One block (PFC 4853) contained census numbers 211D-UNC-08, 01, 11 and 15. The other block was offered in the Caspary collection (PFC 7405) and contained census numbers 211D-UNC-14, 25, 17 and 05.
There are two examples of Scott 211D with sheet selvage. They originally formed a vertical pair, with the stamp in this sale at top and 211D-UNC-23 at bottom.
Siegel census no. 211D-UNC-16. Ex Colonel Green, Hewitt, Dr. Test ("Concord"), Floyd and Gross. Signed “Gotzinger” in pencil on back. With 1981 and 2024 P.F. certificates. With 2024 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80).
10c Green (226). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
Ex Gorham. With 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
30c Black (228). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER AND ONE OTHER SHARES THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 2009 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only one grades higher (at 98, recently offered in our "Vaquero" sale). Only one other shares this grade.
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, sharp proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (two at 95J, one at 98).