Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — The PSE #1 All-Time Finest Set of 1869 Re-issues Used
1c Buff, Re-Issue (123). Rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered, neat blue cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Morton. With 2005 P.F. and 2006 and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98, we last sold it in 2012) and four others share this desirable grade.
2c Brown, Re-Issue (124). Rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins with precise centering, bold strike of ultramarine cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The 2c 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue is one of the most difficult values of the set (after the 3c) to obtain in such superb condition and with such wide margins. It is also extremely rare with any colored cancel; this is the only example in the entire series we have seen with an ultramarine cancel.
With 1975 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade. The other was last offered by us in our 2008 "Tahoe" auction and it has registry oval cancels.
6c Blue, Re-Issue (126). Perfect centering with wide margins all around, bright color, lightly struck target cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. GRADED SUPERB 98, THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IN ANY CONDITION — EITHER UNUSED OR USED — AND IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY RARER USED. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 6c is one of the rarest of the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues in used condition. Most are either off-center or have flaws. This superb stamp is certainly the finest of the used population. There are no other 6c Re-Issues graded higher than 95 in any gum condition—original gum, no gum or used (four original gum, one no gum and one used are graded 95).
Ex Juhring. With 2015 P.F. (Superb 98) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others.
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Vibrant color, clear strike of New York registry oval cancel, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED CF 90 BY P.S.E. AND P.F. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 10c Re-Issue is surprisingly difficult to obtain in such choice condition.
With 2006 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90). Only one grades higher (at 90J, last offered by us in our 2012 Merlin sale) and three others share this grade. These are very low Population Report numbers.
12c Green, Re-Issue (128). Deep rich color and detailed impression, bold strike of New York registry oval cancel, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)—how much better centered does this stamp have to be to achieve 95? Only one grades higher (at 95) and three others share this desirable grade. These are very low Population Report numbers.
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Rich colors, bold strike of blue circle of wedges cancel, wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, CANCELLED SOLELY BY A BLUE CANCEL AND GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs. With 2000 and 2017 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (last graded XF 90). Only one grades higher (at 95J, last offered by us in our 2013 "Golden Oak" sale). Eight others share this grade, but we checked and this is the only one of the group with a colored cancel. We are surprised they did not add points to the grade for the colored cancel.
24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (130). Intense colors on bright paper, unobtrusive strike of New York registry oval cancel leaves design clearly visible, well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. A STAMP WITH FANTASTIC EYE APPEAL.
The majority of used examples of Scott 130 are cancelled with registry ovals, often quite heavily. The example offered here, with a clear strike that does not obscure the design and with choice centering, is quite beautiful.
Ex Haas. With 1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85). While nine grade higher, the stamp offered here has better eye appeal than many with higher grades.
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich colors, cork cancel struck so that the eagle and shield designs are fully visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
SMQ estimates that approximately 40 examples of the 30c 1875 Re-Issue are known used. Our estimate is higher, but our experience has been that many are either off-center or have small faults. The P.S.E. Population Report bears this out as it records only two used stamps at the 98 grade — this stamp and another in our sale of the Nick Kirke collection (Sale 1032, lot 3210). Working down the grading chart, two are graded 95 and three are graded 90.
With 2019 P.F. certificate (ungraded). With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Deep rich colors and detailed impressions, lightly struck oval grid cancel, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
SMQ estimates that approximately 40 used copies exist. Our estimate is higher, but most are either off-center or have small faults.
Ex Mayer. With 2002 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. The other was last sold by us in our 2013 "Golden Oak" sale. Moving down the grading chart, there is one at 90, two at 85 and then two graded 30.
1c Buff, 1880 Re-Issue (133). Bright color, registry oval cancel leaves design clearly visible, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90), with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80)—if you are wondering how this stamp only received a VF 80 grade from P.S.E., you are not alone