Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Ungrilled Issue (Scott 145-155)
1c Ultramarine (145). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has certified only one original gum example at 95 with none higher. Scott value $700.
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1c Ultramarine (145). Radiant color, cancelled by bold strike of Negative Hat in Circle fancy cancel of Danbury Conn., well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)2c Red Brown (146). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely warm color, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE, SCOTT 146, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1993 P.S.E. and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Scott value $350.
(Image Magnifier)2c Red Brown (146). Radiant color, wide and balanced margins, clear strike of "(PAI)D ALL" straightline handstamp, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate, Scott value $19
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Original gum, rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 1997, 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90). Scott value $1,200.
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Rich color nicely complemented by blue circle of wedges cancel, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2000 and 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (last XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Rich color, bold strike of blue quartered cork cancel, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90), Scott value $26
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Bright color, bold strike of blue grid cancel, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90), Scott value $26
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Rich color, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Cross in Circle cancel, Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Rich color, bold strike of Negative Top Hat fancy cancel of Danbury Conn., Fine, a beautiful strike, with 2018 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)6c Carmine (148). Deep rich color, clear strike of New York City "Correct" double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)7c Vermilion (149). Jumbo margins and precise centering, vivid color, New York Foreign Mail Shield cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Kirke. With 1987 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). Only one grades higher (at 100, realized $7,500 in 2009) and only one other shares this grade. Among the small handful of superb graded examples, the NYFM cancel makes this a particularly desirable example.
(Image Magnifier)10c Brown (150). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright fresh color, wide margins and beautiful centering
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Curtis. With 1995, 2005 and 2013 P.F. certificates (latter XF 90).
(Image Magnifier)12c Dull Violet (151). Bright shade nicely complemented by strike of red New York Foreign Mail cancel, choice centering with wide, balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful example of the ungrilled 12c National Bank Note Company Issue with a face-free NYFM cancel, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only one grades higher (at 98) and only four others share this desirable grade
(Image Magnifier)15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum, vibrant color, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 15c 1870 National Grilled Issue (Scott 141) is widely recognized as an extremely rare stamp in choice original-gum condition. Less well known is the fact that its ungrilled counterpart — Scott 152 — is comparably challenging to find in such condition. This stamp has all of the National printing characteristics, but it defies the norm by having exceptional attributes of centering and freshness.
With 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Mint, OG, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
(Image Magnifier)15c Bright Orange (152). Vibrant color, unusually choice centering, clear strike of New York circular datestamp (the word "Steamship" is struck off the stamp), Extremely Fine, with 1983 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90), only four grade higher (one 90J, two 95 and one 98)
(Image Magnifier)15c Bright Orange (152). Radiant color, well-struck Hollow Star in Circle fancy cancel, Extremely Fine strike and an attractive stamp, with 2014 P.F. certificate, Scott value $225 with ordinary cancel
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION, THIS IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 95J, realized $14,000 hammer in our 2014 Rarities sale) and only three others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Original gum, rich color, choice centering with well-balanced margin
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90). Only five grade higher (four at 95, one at 95J) and five others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Radiant color nicely complemented by red New York Foreign Mail Multi-Point Star in Circle cancel, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher (at 95J and 98)
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Rich color, choice centering well-struck New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott value $225
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Bright color and detailed impression, cancelled by clear strike of "Hiogo, Japan" circular datestamp, also with trace of red and blue cancels, Very Fine, an extremely rare use of the 15c National Bank Note Company ungrilled issue used from Japan, a review using Power Search (using Bank Notes as Category and 153 as keyword) found only one other off-cover and no covers used from Japan
(Image Magnifier)90c Carmine (155). Original gum, bright color on fresh paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to underrate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
Ex Curtis. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90). Only three grade higher (at 95) and three others share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)90c Carmine (155). Choice centering, brilliant color on bright fresh paper, lightly struck cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (three at 95J, one at 98).
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