Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues (Scott 135-229)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Mint N.H., radiant color, several clear rows of grill points
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
We have not offered a Mint N.H. single other than this example since our 2007 Odeneal sale. We have offered four others as part of two blocks, but none approaches the centering of the example offered here.
Ex "Adventurer". With 1970, 1979, and 2023 P.F. certificates. Scott value as hinged
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Original gum, h.r., radiant color, fresh and Fine
3c Green, H. Grill, Imperforate (136b). Horizontal pair, slightly disturbed original gum, large margins, bright color, Very Fine
3c Green, H. Grill, Imperforate (136b). Horizontal pair with left sheet margin nicely showing an additional grill, large margins other sides with small portion of adjoining positions at bottom, horizontal crease at bottom, appears Extremely Fine
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unused (no gum), showing faint grill points in neck area, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Deep rich color nicely complemented by red segmented cork cancel, several clear grill points, unusually choice centering, tiny toned spot in left margin noted on most recent certificate
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With clear 1997 P.S.E. certificate. With 2023 P.F. certificate noting the toned spot.
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Clear grill and rich color, cork cancel
VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2023 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Unused (traces of gum), brilliant color and clear grill, fresh and Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Slightly disturbed original gum, clearly defined grill easily visible on face of stamp, deep rich color and attractive centering, small gum soak at left not mentioned on accompanying certificate
VERY FINE. A 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 clear 2023 P.F. certificate.
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Unused (no gum), clear grill points, brilliant color, reperfed at bottom, Very Fine appearance
6c Carmine (148). Mint N.H., choice centering and long full perforations all around, deep rich color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE. AN ENORMOUSLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Only two other Mint N.H. examples of this issue can be found with Power Search. One was offered in our Sale 829 in 2000; the other was offered in our Sale 992 in 2010. Our sale records are corroborated by the P.S.E. Population Report, which does not list any. The online records of The Philatelic Foundation contain only one other, certified in 1992 as "genuine"; it should be reexamined for condition. With grading and the demand for Mint N.H. copies having compelled dealers to break multiples, it is unlikely that any blocks containing Mint N.H. stamps with decent centering still exist. For the collector of Mint N.H. classics, this is a rare opportunity for acquisition.
Ex "Hanover". With 2010 P.S.E. and 2023 P.F. certificates. Scott value $900 as hinged.
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color, small perf flaw at top, Very Fine appearance
10c Brown (150). Disturbed original gum, rich color, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
15c Bright Orange (152). Unused (no gum), vibrant color, fresh and Very Fine
24c Purple (153). Disturbed original gum, rich color, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
24c Purple (153). Bright color, choice centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, brilliant color on fresh paper, well-centered
fresh and very FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
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 under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is fresh and choice.
Ex Lilly (Siegel Sale 312 in 1967).
3c Green, With Grill (158e). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, fresh and Fine
6c Dull Pink (159). Disturbed original gum, brilliant color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice
6c Dull Pink, With Grill (159b). Slightly disturbed original gum, clear grill points, Very Good, scarce
10c Brown (161). Original gum, h.r., bright color, trivial natural inclusion at right, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
12c Blackish Violet (162). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, faint overall toning, otherwise Very Fine
15c Yellow Orange (163). Unused (no gum), bright color, Very Fine, with 1980 and 2002 P.F. certificates
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, h.r., radiant color, reperfed at top and right, Fine appearance
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, perfs scissors-separated as usual but mostly intact on three sides, deep rich color
FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 168, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/168, contains 64 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 63 available to collectors. Many have perfs scissors-trimmed on at least one side and many have perforations into the design. The example offered here is very attractive.
Census no. 168-UNC-14. With 1983 P.F. certificate.
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, radiant color, perfs scissors-separated as almost always but leaving wide margins
VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 171, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/171, contains 76 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 75 available to collectors. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
Census no. 171-UNC-75.
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, reperfed
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 174, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/174, contains 41 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 40 available to collectors. An overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side, and many are off-center as well. Only five or six have fully intact perforations, and of those perhaps half are faulty.
Census no. 174-UNC-35. Colson backstamp. 1954 P.F. certificate before reperfing no longer accompanies.
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, rich color, perfs all around and without the usual scissors separating that occurs on this issue, very faint overall toning is barely noticeable, small central thin spot
VERY FINE appearing EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 175, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/175, contains 108 examples. The example offered here, from an old-time collection, is a new addition to our census.
Census no. 175-UNC-108.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated but with perforations virtually intact on all sides, choice centering for this difficult issue
VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 176, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/176, contains 51 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 50 available to collectors. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations on all four sides. This stamp, from an old-time collection, is a new addition to the census.
Census no. 176-UNC-51.
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, perfs scissors-separated but intact on three sides, rich color
VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 90-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 177 contains 45 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 44 available to collectors. Only 17 have perforations intact on all four sides, and of these only nine are confirmed as sound. Many have poor centering.
Census no. 177-UNC-15. With 1983 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue (179). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, three wide margins, Very Fine, although large multiples of the 5c Taylor American printing on soft paper (Scott 185) have provided Mint Never-Hinged singles, the 1875 Continental issue is very scarce in Mint Never-Hinged condition, with 1990 (for a pair) and 2023 P.F. certificates, Scott value as hinged
6c Pink (186). Original gum, fresh color, reperfed at right, appears Very Fine
15c Red Orange (189). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95)
30c Full Black (190). Mint N.H., sharp proof-like impression, well-centered
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE.
The 30c 1879 American Bank Note Company issue is surprisingly difficult to obtain in choice Mint N.H. condition. It is surprising because the 15c (Scott 189) is readily available. However, a survey of our photo records and auction library revealed the scarcity of well-centered 30c blocks from which singles could be harvested.
With 1988 and 2023 P.F. certificates.
30c Full Black (190). Disturbed original gum, crisp impression, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
90c Carmine (191). Unused (regummed), brilliant color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine
12c Blackish Purple, Special Printing (198). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression, tiny pinhole in "E" of "CENTS"
VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 198, available 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.
Census no. 198-UNC-07. 1955 P.F. certificate as sound no longer accompanies.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (201). Without gum as issued, bright shade and detailed impression, well-centered with long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
Our census of Scott 201, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/201, contains only 45 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 44 available to collectors. Only ten are confirmed as sound and only seven of those are well-centered. Another 17 need to be reexamined for condition, but only a handful of these have better than Fine centering.
Census no. 201-UNC-45. This superb stamp from an old-time collection is a new addition to the census.
4c Blue Green (211). Original gum, flawless centering, rich color and crisp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded to any original-gum Scott 211, only one other shares this grade
2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing (211B). Mint N.H., rich color, trivial natural inclusion and couple unpunched perfs, Very Fine
2c Green, Imperforate (213a). Horizontal pair, unused (no gum), full margins to clear, Fine and scarce in unused condition, we have offered only one other (with disturbed gum)
5c Indigo, Imperforate (216a). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins including right sheet margin, disturbed original gum, deep rich color, Very Fine
90c Purple (218). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with nicely balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1888 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The 1888 American Bank Note Company Issue in new colors (Scott 215-218) was the last of the Large Bank Note series that spanned two decades from 1870 until 1890, when the Small Bank Note Issue was released. The 90c is extremely difficult to obtain in such choice Mint N.H. condition.
With 1997, 2005, 2010 and 2023 P.F. certificates (latter two VF-XF 85).
Correction: Scott value as Mint N.H. is $2,500
2c 1890 Issue, Collection Balance (219D, 220). Extensive balance of the Dr. Sollenberger 2c Small Bank Note collection housed in five binders, including range of proof material not offered as individual lots in this sale, with plate proofs (two envelopes in which the card proofs were given out accompany), couple large die proofs and good amount of imperforate on stamp paper including plate nos., Specimens, hundreds of stamps the highlight of which is a stock book with dozens of position pieces in plate no. order, showing plate numbers and imprints, also a few full plate blocks, "Cap on left 2" (220b) block, pair and two singles, Cap on both "2" (220c) single, also varieties including dramatic misperfs, studies of colors, double transfers and paper, extensive study of relief breaks including a complete mounted exhibit which includes a great many more positions pieces, several groups of U.S. Possessions, finally a number of covers including Feb. 26, 1890 early use, condition is mixed with typical faults or centering issues to be found, overall a valuable collection worth careful review, the plate number pieces stock book alone took many years of collecting to compile
30c Black (228). Original gum, excellent centering, intense shade, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)