Sale 1374 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 April, 2026
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Horizontal pair with imprint at bottom, original gum, fresh color, choice centering, clear grills
VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM IMPRINT PAIR OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE. a plate block or plate strip of this issue is not known.
There are no imprint and plate number strips or blocks known for this grilled issue. A bock of four with imprint from the top position is also known. Ex Dr. Burrows. Scott value as two singles.
3c Green, H. Grill Imperforate (136P5; formerly 136b). Horizontal pair with left sheet margin, additional grill in sheet margin, original gum, barely hinged (if at all), large margins to clear, Very Fine and choice
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and attractive centering, pulled perf at upper left, appears Very Fine, with 2026 P.F. certificate
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unused (no gum), extraordinarily strong grill impression, single short perf at upper right, Fine
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Several rows of clear grill points, bold strike of cork cancel and part of circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Horizontal pair, both stamps with discernible grill points, bright color, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, few light creases, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, otherwise Fine, scarce multiple, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Original gum, evident grill points, bright color, centered to right
FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
Among the 1870 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue denominations, the 12c and 90c are the rarest with original gum (the 24c is not known genuinely unused, with or without gum).
With 2025 P.F. certificate. SCV $25,000.
(Image Magnifier)1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clear grill points, Jumbo margins and choice centering, bright color, Star in Circle fancy cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, very unusual to find a Bank Note grilled issue with this size margins and a fancy cancel—especially the scarcer I Grill—with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo)
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Several rows of clear grill points which allow for viewing of the entire grill size, cork cancel, light toning at upper right not mentioned on certificate, reperfed to at least some degree (noted as only at top left on certificate), Fine appearance, the 10c I Grill is extremely rare with only a dozen or so examples recorded, with 2025 P.F. certificate, SCV $10,000
(Image Magnifier)2c Red Brown (146). Horizontal strip of four, original gum, rich color on bright paper, center stamps tiny ink marks, left stamp short perf at left, still Very Fine, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott value $1,450 as two pairs
3c Green (147). Strip of four with plate no. 29 and part imprint at bottom, slightly disturbed original gum, h.r., rich color, few perf separations, otherwise Very Fine, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott value as two pairs without premium for the selvage
6c Carmine (148). Block of four with "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint in bottom selvage, unused (no gum), brilliant color, Very Fine, rare with the imprint, a full plate block or imprint strip is not known, the closest is a block of six with plate number only and no imprint and no gum, this is the only multiple we have encountered with the imprint, Scott value $4,750 as block of four with gum and $1,200 as no gum singles
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, small h.r., bright color, reperfed at top, Fine appearance, a scarce original-gum example, with 2026 P.F. certificate, SCV $5,000
90c Carmine (155). Brilliant color and detailed impression, outstanding centering, bold red cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE, CANCELLED IN VIVID RED.
With 2026 P.S.E. certificate. (XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (highest is 98). We have offered three of the higher grades and only one of those has a red cancel.
2c Brown (157). Bottom imprint and plate no. 241 block of 12, original gum, centered to top, light horizontal crease affects top stamps, appears Fine, scarce plate block as we have offered only three others since keeping computerized records, ex Dr. Burrows
2c Brown (157). Bottom imprint and plate no. 163 block of 14, unused (no gum), very few sensibly reinforced perf separations, Fine-Very Fine and scarce plate block, we have offered only three others since keeping computerized records, Scott value $13,000 as a plate block with gum and $1,750 as no gum singles
3c Green (158). Bottom imprint and plate no. 292 block of 20, comprising the two bottom rows of the pane with selvage at left and half-arrow at right, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, reinforced perf separations including throughout the horizontal row between the stamps
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 1873 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The Chapin census records only seven plate blocks of Scott 158.
Ex Ackerman, Barden, Curtis and Dr. Yudowitz. Scott value as plate block, block of four and pair
3c Green (158). Bottom imprint and plate no. 270 block of 14, original gum, one stamp h.r. plus few tiny hinge slivers sensibly reinforcing a few perfs which are not even separated, overall lightly hinged and a few may qualify as Mint N.H., rich color
VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 14 OF THE 1873 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The Chapin census records only seven plate blocks of Scott 158. From our 1982 Rarities sale.
3c Green (158). Top imprint and plate no. 259 strip of eight, original gum, h.r. where perf separations reattached, left stamp tear at top (does not affect plate strip), otherwise Fine, Scott value as plate strip and two singles
3c Green (158). Bottom imprint and plate no. 222 strip of six, original gum, h.r. especially where some perf separations reinforced, bright color, single short perf at top of third stamp from left, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Frelinghuysen
3c Green (158). Mint N.H. strip of five with plate no. 219 and part imprint, natural straight edge at right, rich color, Very Fine, Scott value as hinged plate number strip of five
6c Dull Pink (159). Top imprint and plate no. 18 block of 14, original gum, barely hinged with a few potentially Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-balanced margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 14 OF THE 6-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE..
The Chapin census records only nine plate blocks of Scott 159, including the unique example in the Brown Rose shade. This is one of the finest. It was offered in our Sale 304 in 1966. Scott value as plate block and pair.
6c Dull Pink (159). Top imprint and plate no. 304 strip of six, original gum, h.r., bright color, pre-printing paperfolds in selvage above position 3 and also affecting positions 1 and 2, few sensibly reinforced perf separations, Fine-Very Fine, scarce and desirable imprint and plate number strip, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott Catalogue lists the strip for the 3c but not the 6c, a full plate block of 12 is valued at $15,000 (3.3-times premium versus singles), Scott value as three pairs without premium for the position
6c Dull Pink, With Grill (159b). Original gum, clear grill which does not break any paper fibers, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, Scott value in grade of Fine
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Vivid color and sharp proof-like impression, outstanding centering and margins, bold strike of red New York Foreign Mail Circle of V's cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb and stunning stamp, ex Choban, Barwis, and Gorham, with 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but with intact perforations on three sides, deep rich color
VERY FINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING, SCOTT 169.
Our census of Scott 169, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/169, contains 40 examples, including one on cover and one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 38 unused stamps available to collectors. Of these, very few have perforations all around or are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 169-UNC-40. With 2023 P.F. certificate.
2c Vermilion (178). Top imprint and plate no. 245 strip of seven, original gum, h.r., incredible fiery shade, red manuscript "4/26/76 Anthon" and "J.N.T.L." (J. N. T. Levick) in selvage, few perf separations reinforced, Fine-Very Fine, large backstamp affects three stamps, ex Frelinghuysen, Scott value as plate number strip of six and single
2c Vermilion (183). Bottom margin block of 14 with "PRINTED BY THE CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 297" plate number, original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color
FRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1879 2-CENT VERMILION AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH CONTINENTAL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER.
There are eight plate blocks of Scott 183 recorded in the Chapin census—one other is known, making nine. Most have the old Continental Bank Note Co. imprint. Ex Dr. Burrows. Scott value as plate block of 12 and pair.
2c Vermilion (183). Top margin block of 12 with "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY" imprint and "No. 391" plate number, few stamps Mint N.H., others original gum, some hinge remnants, radiant color, perf separations reinforced with hinge slivers, few creases or wrinkles in selvage at left
FINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1879 2-CENT VERMILION AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, AND THE ONLY TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK FROM PLATE 391. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK WITH THE AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY IMPRINT.
There are eight plate blocks of Scott 183 recorded in the Chapin census. Among these there are only three recorded top plate blocks, including one in the unique pane of 100. The Wampler collection contained a bottom plate block from Plate 391, which was not included in the Chapin census, bringing the total count to nine plate blocks with three known from the top position. The other top position plate block outside of the pane has the Continental Bank Note Co. imprint, so the example offered here is the only top position plate block with the American imprint.
Ex Chapin and Gross.
2c Vermilion (183). Bottom margin strip of six with "PRINTED BY THE CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 161" plate number, original gum, h.r. where some perf separations sensibly reinforced, far right stamp mostly reattached, vibrant color, Fine appearance, the plate block of 12 catalogues $4,500, Scott value as singles $600 does not adequately convey the rarity of this multiple
3c Green (184). Top imprint and plate no. 347 block of 12, stamps Mint N.H., lightly hinged in selvage only, deep rich color, some telescoped perfs between rows, otherwise Fine, Scott value as Mint N.H. singles
3c Green (184). Bottom margin block of 12 with "PRINTED BY THE CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 265" plate number, original gum, some bottom stamps with Jumbo margins, positions 2 and 8 creased (hinge reinforcement there as well) and hinge reinforced between positions 4 and 5, some overall toning, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, attractive and scarce plate block, ex Dr. Yudowitz
3c Green (184). Top imprint and plate no. 348 block of 12, four stamps at bottom right Mint N.H., others h.r., deep rich color, few minor perf separations, few telescoped perfs at left, otherwise Fine
6c Pink (186). Block of four with bottom plate no. 305 selvage, natural straight edge with part arrow at right, original gum, top stamps h.r., bottom stamps lightly hinged, radiant color
FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR WITH PLATE NUMBER OF THE 6-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE, SCOTT 186. A FULL PLATE BLOCK IS NOT KNOWN TO EXIST.
The Chapin census lists three items, none of which are full plate blocks and two of which have never been seen in photos. They are a block of six with part imprint and plate number without gum known only from a 1931 London auction description where it was not illustrated, a strip of three without gum and plate number from the Dr. Meilstrup collection (Sale 431 in 1973), and a block of ten with part imprint and plate number with original gum known only from a description but no photo in the Oct. 15, 1945 Barr auction of the Colonel Green collection.
Scott value as block of four without premium for the plate number selvage.
6c Pink (186). Block of six, pastel shade, neat target cancels, few faults including sensibly reinforced perf separations and light creases, otherwise Very Fine, scarce used multiple, Scott value as block of four and pair
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression
VERY FINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH SECRET MARK.
Unlike other values of the 1879 Issue, there are virtually no 10c stamps in Mint Never-Hinged condition. A thorough review of auction catalogues, including sales of the Caspary, Close, Sinkler, Col. Green, Lilly, Braus, Wunderlich and Klein collections, among others, produced no Mint N.H. singles and no blocks containing Mint N.H. stamps. We have offered only five other unduplicated examples, and the P.F. has certified only one other.
With 1985, 1995 and 2022 P.F. certificates.
15c Red Orange (189). Block of 12, seven stamps Mint N.H. (positions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9-11), vibrant color, Fine, Scott value as singles
1c Dark Ultramarine, Special Printing (192). Without gum as issued, rich color, two light diagonal creases
VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 27 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS.
Our census of Scott 192, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/192, contains 29 examples, including one in The Philatelic Foundation's Luff reference collection and one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 27 available to collectors. Approximately half are sound, and many are off-center.
Census no. 192-UNC-29. With 2023 P.F. certificate.
1c Gray Blue (206). Top imprint and plate no. 424 block of 12, original gum, some reinforced perfs in selvage, right block few jammed perfs, creased vertically along the right margin of the second vertical pair ending in a 1mm selvage nick (easily trimmed), Fine-Very Fine appearance, scarce plate block, ex Curtis, with 1978 P.F. certificate noting only perf separations
3c Blue Green (207). Bottom imprint and plate no. 370 block of 16, natural straight edge with part arrow at right, original gum, h.r., bright color, perf separations reinforced by hinge slivers, few toned spots, otherwise Fine, Scott value as plate block, block and pair
3c Blue Green (207). Bottom imprint and plate no. 396 block of 14, original gum, bottom stamps mostly Mint N.H., top stamps small hinge slivers, bright color, Fine-Very Fine and attractive plate block, Scott value as plate block and two pairs
3c Blue Green (207). Bottom imprint and plate no. 408 block of 12, original gum, top stamps barely hinged at top, bottom stamps Mint N.H., fresh and Fine, Scott value as plate block and two singles
3c Blue Green (207). Two imprint and plate no. strips of five, from Plates 367 and 419, original gum, h.r., the first with eight hole punches in a circle and with few light bends, two stamps with thinning caused by hole punch device, Fine and unusual, Scott value as strip for one and singles for the hole punch
3c Blue Green (207). Top imprint and plate no. 418 block of 12, unused (no gum), some perf separations including in selvage thru imprint, Fine-Very Fine, ex Byers, Scott value as original-gum plate block of 10
6c Brown Red, Vermilion, "Sample" or "Sample A" Ovpt. (208S-K, 208S-L). Top imprint and plate no. 427 strip of seven of first, h.r. between left stamps and also in selvage with others Mint N.H., second is top strip of six with imprint and plate no. 427, original gum, Very Fine, Scott value with second valued as singles
6c Rose (208). Top imprint and plate no. 427 block of 12, natural straight edge with part arrow at right, original gum, some toning mostly on back, top left stamp thin spot
FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT 1882 RE-ENGRAVED ISSUE, SCOTT 208. THIS IS THE FIRST PLATE BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
This is a surprisingly rare plate block. Scott value as plate block of ten and pair.
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 427 strip of five, original gum, h.r., rich color, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine-Very Fine, scarce position multiple, ex Frelinghuysen
1c Ultramarine (212). Top left corner imprint and plate no. 719 half pane of 50, unused (no gum), radiant color, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, light natural pre-printing paperfold affects Positions 1 and 11, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce large multiple, Scott value as no gum singles
3c Vermilion (214). Top imprint, and plate no. 421 block of 12, natural straight edge with part arrow at right, four stamps lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., brilliant color, two stamps natural inclusions, one stamp thin spot from perf disc inclusion removal, otherwise Fine
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., rich color, Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate
30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H. with right selvage, extra wide margin on that side, fresh and Very Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, exceptional centering with balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1991 P.F., 2013 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (last two OGph, Superb 98). Only one hinged stamp equals this grade and one grades higher — the Gem 100 offered in our 2024 Rarities sale. For Mint N.H., three share this grade which is the highest awarded. An outstanding stamp for someone who values centering above all — the last Mint N.H. in this grade we sold brought $16,000 hammer.
90c Purple (218). Choice centering and margins, rich color, New York double-oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
90c Purple (218). Block of 15 (5 x 3), natural straight edge at right, tied to piece of cover by New York registry oval cancels, few minor perf flaws from trimming of the piece, Fine and scarce large multiple, ex Curtis, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as blocks of four, pairs and single