Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — Revenues (First thru Third Issues)
$1.30 Foreign Exchange, Orange, Imperforate (R77a). Brilliant color, large even margins to ample at bottom left, central strike of blue "B.B. & Co. May 19, 1863" circular datestamp
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE RARE $1.30 FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPERFORATE WITH A HANDSTAMP CANCEL.
Only 3,878 were issued imperforate (44 sheets with 82 stamps returned for perforating). No multiples are known for this issue.
With 2019 P.F. certificate.
$2.00 Conveyance, Red, Part Perforated (R81b). Deep rich color, especially wide margin at top, neat June 1, 1863 manuscript cancel
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 CONVEYANCE PART PERFORATED ISSUE. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE 1996.
We have offered only one other stamp identified as R81b since 1996, in our Sale 1217 in 2020. That example had a light vertical crease and realized $17,500. The example offered in our 2014 Curtis Collection sale was offered with a 1996 P.F. certificate and subsequently received a negative P.F. certificate.
With 2024 P.S.E. certificate.
$2.00 Probate of Will, Red, Imperforate (R83a). Bright color, large margins to ample at bottom, neat Feb. 23, 1863 manuscript cancel
FRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE $2.00 PROBATE OF WILL IMPERFORATE.
Ex Tolman and Curtis as a pair (the left stamp in the pair had a small tear and was separated). With 2016 P.F. certificate.
$3.50 Inland Exchange, Blue, Imperforate (R87a). Large margins to ample at top left, deep rich color, unobtrusive manuscript cancel, completely sound
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND, FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE $3.50 INLAND EXCHANGE IMPERFORATE. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT FIRST ISSUE REVENUE STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Only 1,430 were issued imperforate. A review using Power Search found only two or three others in sound and well-centered condition comparable to this example.
With 2004 P.F. certificate.
$10.00 Probate of Will, Green, Imperforate (R96a). Large even margins, deep rich color, unobtrusive manuscript cancel
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE $10.00 PROBATE OF WILL FIRST ISSUE REVENUE.
With 1979 and 2015 P.F. certificates.
$15.00 Mortgage, Blue, Imperforate (R97a). Large margins all around, incredibly intense shade and impression, neat February 17, 1865 manuscript cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE $15.00 MORTGAGE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP.
According to Revenue Stamps of the United States 1862-1899, the total supply of $15.00 Mortgage stamps issued (in both perforated or imperforate form) was 18,358. The book also states that there was likely an imperforate supply of 162, less 90 returned for perforating, for a total supply of 72. However, the total available to collectors would indicate a slightly larger supply (including some that may be fraudulently trimmed perforated stamps).
Ex Zoellner and Inman. Small "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp. With 2000 P.F. certificate.
$15.00 Mortgage, Blue, Imperforate (R97a). Block of four, large margins to clear, deep rich color and proof-like impression, each with neat "E. G. 4 mo 7th 1863" manuscript cancel, small paper split at bottom of bottom right stamp
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED BLOCKS OF THE $15.00 IMPERFORATE MORTGAGE FIRST ISSUE REVENUE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST OF THE THREE.
The Curtis Collection website records a block of six and two blocks of four. Both of the other blocks are reinforced, and the block of six is repaired.
Ex Weill Brothers' Stock and Bleckwenn.
$20.00 Probate of Will, Orange, Imperforate (R99a). Large margins to full, vivid color, face-free strikes of "H.S.D. Jan. 2, 1863" circular datestamp
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE $20.00 PROBATE OF WILL CANCELLED SOLELY BY A CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
This is a very early use -- the first delivery of this issue was December 19, 1862.
Ex Inman. With 1999 P.S.E. certificate.
$20.00 Probate of Will, Imperforate (R99a). Vertical pair, large to ample margins all around, vivid fresh color, 1864 manuscript cancels, trivial scissors-cut between stamps
VERY FINE. A WONDERFULLY FRESH PAIR OF THE $20.00 IMPERFORATE PROBATE OF WILL FIRST ISSUE.
Ex Curtis. With 1985 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates.
$20.00 Probate of Will, Orange, Perforated (R99c). Brilliant color, crisp impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, neat May 3, 1864 manuscript cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE PERFORATED $20.00 PROBATE OF WILL FIRST ISSUE REVENUE.
Ex Handy, Floyd and Inman. With 1980 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
$25.00 Mortgage, Red, Imperforate (R100a). Horizontal pair, large margins to clear, deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, neat manuscript cancels
VERY FINE. A RARE AND CHOICE SOUND PAIR OF THE $25.00 MORTGAGE IMPERFORATE FIRST ISSUE REVENUE.
Ex Joyce.
10c Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R109a). Crisp impressions, neat manuscript cancel
VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT SECOND ISSUE WITH INVERTED CENTER.
A Power Search review shows many are either off-center or have cut cancels such as a herringbone. The example offered here, in sound condition with a manuscript cancel, is very desirable. With 2021 P.S.E. certificate.
$20.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue (R129). Block of four, deep rich colors, choice centering, affixed to small piece of what appears to be an affidavit, "Apl. 9/72" manuscript cancels
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE $20.00 SECOND ISSUE REVENUE STAMP. ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR BICOLORED REVENUE MULTIPLES EXTANT.
According to www.thecurtiscollection.com, this is the only recorded block of the $20.00 Second Issue issue. A strip of four is also known, as are three strips of three. In our opinion this design is one of the most beautiful examples of stamp engraving ever produced, incorporating the allegorical images of Manufacturing, Mechanics, Commerce and Agriculture into the frame surrounding Washington's portrait, and with a marvelously detailed depiction of the U.S. Treasury building at top.
Ex Tolman.
$200.00 Red, Green & Black, Second Issue, Trial Color Proof on India (R132TC). On 109 x 139mm card with full imprints at sides, two small security punches in design as found on all examples with imprints
EXTREMELY FINE. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE $200.00 SMALL PERSIAN RUG TRIAL COLOR PROOF. THIS IS QUITE LIKELY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
These colors are the only multicolor trial color printing for the $200.00 Small Persian Rug.
Ex Cunliffe. The Scott Catalogue prices this at $2,500, but notes "full-size proofs on full-size card bring substantial premiums above the catalogue values listed". We offered one in our Sale 953 in 2008, on slightly smaller card, which realized $13,000 hammer. For the issued stamp, only one is known showing the full imprint (realized $42,500 in our recent Dr. Haikel sale).
$200.00 Red, Blue & Black, Second Issue, "Small Persian Rug" (R132). Unused (no gum), bright colors, light creases
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE $200.00 "SMALL PERSIAN RUG" — ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL STAMPS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST UNUSED EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE.
This is the only unused example of this issue we have offered since keeping computerized records. The P.F. has certified three, including one torn in half and regummed, another regummed with a serious fault and a third which is reperfed with a fault.
Ex Griswold ("Eastern" Collection). Scott value as used $8,500.
$200.00 Red, Blue & Black, Second Issue, "Small Persian Rug" (R132). Bright colors, neat manuscript cancel, unusually choice centering, few faults including small scuff at lower left and horizontal crease ending in small tear at left
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE CELEBRATED $200.00 "SMALL PERSIAN RUG".
Both the Small and Large "Persian Rug" stamps were printed in sheets of one. Because of their size, the large number of perforations on each stamp, and the fact that they were used on documents which were frequently folded across the stamps, most examples are faulty to some degree.
$500.00 Yellow, Green & Black, Second Issue, Trial Color Proof on India (R133TC1e). On 106 x 154mm card and with full imprints at sides, deep rich colors, security punches at top and bottom in center lathework above and below denominations as found on all examples with imprints
VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF FOR THE $500.00 LARGE PERSIAN RUG. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE IMPRINTS AT SIDES. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE.
We are aware of only one other in this color with the imprints. It was offered in the 2008 Spink Shreves auction of the Cunliffe Revenues, where it realized $26,000 hammer. Scott Catalogue prices this at $5,000 but notes "full-size proofs on full-size card bring substantial premiums above the catalogue values listed". For the issued stamp, four were traditionally reported with the imprint but our comprehensive census contains only three, none of which has selvage at top or bottom.
$500.00 Red Orange, Green & Black, Second Issue, "Large Persian Rug" (R133). Rich colors, neat manuscript cancel
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS "LARGE PERSIAN RUG" STAMP, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL AND ELABORATELY ENGRAVED STAMPS IN ALL OF PHILATELY.
Only 210 were issued, and it is safe to say that most examples are faulty to some degree. A document exists from July 24, 1874, detailing the purchaser of each. Our census at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/R133 contains 87.
Illustrated in Kingsley book (census no. 6-4). With 2005 P.F. certificate.
$5,000.00 Yellow Orange, Green & Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (R133ATC1e). 98 x 142mm India mounted on 142x 186mm card, security punch at bottom right, full imprints at sides, insignificant shallow thin on back at right of card from mount
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE TWO FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE TRIAL COLOR PROOF FOR THE UNISSUED $5,000.00 LARGE PERSIAN RUG. A GREAT RARITY AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
According to The Legendary Persian Rug by Dr. Thomas C. Kingsley, the $5,000.00 design was approved in proof form, but was never printed as a stamp. It was created in case the need for such a large denomination ever arose. Since it was approved, this (and other trial colors) qualify as trial color proofs, not essays. In a letter to Mr. Lamasure, Carpenter wrote: "I send you the $5,000 stamp approved in the colors in which it is to be printed in case we have an order for this stamp — a very improbable contingency".
Dr. Kingsley records fifteen trial color proofs in private hands, plus ten in the holdings of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Ralph Zerbonia records one additional proof in private hands. The colors of the proof offered here are very close to those that would have been used if stamps had been printed. Only three are known with the full imprints. One other (ex Joyce) compares favorably to the example offered here. The third has smaller margins and is not on a card. All of the others listed in the Kingsley census are cut close.
Kingsley census no. 5M-2. Ex Cunliffe. Considerably undercatalogued in Scott at $20,000, which does not take into consideration the imprints.
$20.00 Orange & Black, Third Issue (R150). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color with only traces of oxidation, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $20.00 THIRD ISSUE REVENUE. VERY SCARCE IN THIS FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Ex Curtis. With 2000 and 2015 P.F. certificates. This stamp realized $3,250 hammer when we last offered it for the Curtis estate in Sale 1110. Scott value as used.