Sale 1304 — The Brian M. Bleckwenn Collection of United States First Issue Revenues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-13 December, 2023
Category — First Issue Perforated (1c-$5.00)
1c Proprietary, Perforated Counterfeit and Plate Proof (R3c CF1, R3c CF1a). Single of the perforated counterfeit, centered to top or bottom as usual, accompanied by vertical strip of seven of plate proof on card of the counterfeit with manuscript on back "Plate engraved by Hart L. Pierce, impression from his plate taken at the Bureau Engr. and Printing", horizontal fold between two proofs, Very Fine and very scarce, this and the $3.00 Manifest are the only two First Issue Revenue stamps counterfeited to defraud the government
2c Bank Check, Orange, Double Transfer T5, Perforated (R6c var). Brilliant color, choice centering, neat Dec. 26, 1862 manuscript cancel, showing significant double transfer in lettering at bottom, Extremely Fine
2c Bank Check, Orange, Double Transfer T5, Perforated (R6c var). Vibrant color, neat Jan. 10, 1863 manuscript cancel, showing strong double transfer in lettering at bottom, Extremely Fine
2c Certificate, Blue, Double Transfer T7, Perforated (R7c var). Rich color, light manuscript cancel, showing significant doubling of letters at bottom, Fine and scarce
2c Bank Check, Orange, Double Transfer T7, Perforated (R8c var). Vibrant color, neat June 26, 1863 manuscript cancel, showing significant doubling in letters at bottom, Fine and scarce
2c Bank Check, Orange, Double Transfer T7, Perforated (R8c var). Rich color, neat "9/5/64" manuscript cancel, showing significant doubling at bottom, Fine and scarce
2c Bank Check, Orange, Double Transfer T7, Perforated (R8c). Block of five with selvage at left, top right stamp showing significant double transfer in letters at bottom, Aug. 5, 1863 manuscript cancels, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, otherwise Fine and extremely rare, this is the largest recorded multiple, only four blocks of this issue are recorded (others are of four) and this is the only with a double transfer, Scott value $800 for the double transfer position and the value as a block without double transfer is $850
2c Express, Orange, Perforated (R10c). Two plate blocks, first is bottom imprint and plate no. 2 E block of 18, second is bottom imprint and plate no. 2 E block of eight, each with vertical penline cancels and Feb. 1, 1865 circular datestamps, first with light horizontal crease in selvage only, second retains its original gum and with one perf tip thin, Very Fine and impressive plate blocks, five larger multiples are known but none has the plate block
2c Playing Cards, Orange, Perforated (R12c). Horizontal pair, brilliant color, neat 1863 manuscript cancels, right stamp light natural pre-printing paperfold at top right, Very Fine, a scarce multiple, only three larger (block of four, block of three and strip of three) are known and only five pairs are recorded, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
2c Ultramarine, Proprietary, Complete Double Transfer, Perforated (R13c). Right stamp in horizontal pair, disturbed original gum, h.r., couple faint toned spots on left stamp, Fine, ex Cunliffe
2c Proprietary, Ultramarine, Perforated (R13e). Block of ten, bright color, original gum, h.r., some perfs sensibly reinforced, bottom right stamp thin spot
VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM MULTIPLE OF THE 2-CENT ULTRAMARINE PROPRIETARY ISSUE.
This is an extremely rare block of the Ultramarine shade and this is the largest recorded multiple. The only other multiples known are a block of six and four horizontal pairs. Listed but unpriced in Scott as a block. Scott value $3,750 as five pairs.
2c Proprietary, Orange, Double Transfer at Bottom (T13), Perforated (R14c var). Deep rich color, manuscript cancel, tinge of oxidation, Very Fine and attractive
2c Proprietary, Orange, Complete Double Transfer T13a, Perforated (R14c). Three singles, each exhibiting a complete double transfer across the whole stamp, one with 1865 handstamp and two with neat pen cancels, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce group
3c Proprietary, Green, Perforated, Printed on Both Sides (R18f). Clear impression of parts of four stamps on back, inverted in relation to the front, neat manuscript cancel
VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT PROPRIETARY PERFORATED ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES.
The other recorded example is ex Joyce.
4c Playing Cards, Slate, Perforated (R21c). Unusually deep shade, proof-like impression, cancelled solely by "P&W R.R. Co. Treasurer's Office, Apr. 6, 1865" circular datestamp, short perf at lower left, otherwise Very Fine, a stamp with great eye appeal
4c Playing Cards, Slate, Perforated (R21c). Especially deep shade, light manuscript cancel, Very Fine
4c Playing Cards, Greenish Slate, Perforated (R21c var). Vertical pair, choice centering, neat Sep. 3, 1863 manuscript cancels, bottom stamp small tear at right, top stamp small pinhole at left, few sensibly reinforced perf separations, Extremely Fine appearance, Scott value $1,600 as normal shade
4c Playing Cards, Slate, Perforated (R21c). Vertical pair, intense shade and impression, April 18, 1865 manuscript cancels, two small tears at top left of top stamp, bottom stamp small pinhole, Fine appearance, a scarce multiple
4c Proprietary, Purple, Perforated (R22c). Horizontal pair with bottom imprint and "1 Plate No. 4 A" selvage, unused (no gum), Very Fine and rare, many larger multiples are recorded but none show the plate number
4c Proprietary, Purple, Perforated (R22c). Block of 50, tropicalized original gum, few h.r. where perf separations sensibly reinforced, deep shade, Fine-Very Fine, this is the largest recorded unused multiple (a used sheet of 170 is also known), ex Bulkley, Scott value $650 as blocks and pairs
5c Certificate, Red, Perforated, Double Transfer Throughout (R24c var). Unused (no gum), bright color, choice centering, two trivial natural inclusions, Extremely Fine, ex Kingsley
5c Inland Exchange, Red, Perforated, Double Impression (R27e). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, magenta 1863 manuscript cancel
FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT INLAND EXCHANGE WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. A GREAT RARITY.
The Philatelic Foundation has certified this sole example with a double impression. None are known imperforate or part perforated. With 1985 P.F. certificate.
6c Proprietary, Orange, Perforated (R31c). Bright shade, blue C. H. & Co. handstamp cancels, small thin spot at top left, Very Fine appearance, only two examples of the 6c Proprietary with this cancel are recorded, Scott Catalogue notes "Nearly all examples of No. R31 are faulty and poorly centered. The catalogue value is for a fine centered stamp with minor faults which do not detract from its appearance."
6c Proprietary, Orange, Perforated (R31c). Vivid color, neat "A.M.F.G. Aug. 9, 1871" three-line datestamp, tiny corner margin crease and tiny pinhole, Fine appearance, only five examples of this cancel from A.M.F. Gianelli & Co. of Genoa, Italy are recorded, with 1985 P.F. certificate, Scott Catalogue notes "Nearly all examples of No. R31 are faulty and poorly centered. The catalogue value is for a fine centered stamp with minor faults which do not detract from its appearance."
6c Proprietary, Orange, Perforated (R31c). Vibrant color, neat "A.T.S. & Co. Aug. 71" three-line datestamp cancel, small tears at bottom left and top right, Very Fine appearance, only five examples are recorded with this cancel, Scott Catalogue notes "Nearly all examples of No. R31 are faulty and poorly centered. The catalogue value is for a fine centered stamp with minor faults which do not detract from its appearance."
10c Bill of Lading, Blue, Perforated (R32c). Block of 25 with bottom imprint and plate no. 10 K, bright and fresh color, some perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine-Very Fine, this is the second largest known block of this issue and the only block with a plate number, the largest multiple is a block of 32 (ex Joyce, Halstead, Curtis)
10c Certificate, Blue, Perforated, Half Used as 5c (R33e). Bottom half tied by manuscript Sep. 19, 1866 cancel on marriage certificate from Grant County Ind., Fine and scarce
15c Inland Exchange, Brown, Perforated, Double Impression (R40f). Deep rich color, showing clear doubling of the entire design, faint manuscript cancel, Fine and rare, only three perforated singles have been certified, three part perforated singles (one on document) and a part perforated block of four have also been certified by The Philatelic Foundation, with 1982 P.F. certificate, undercatalogued in Scott
20c Foreign Exchange, Red, Perforated (R41c). Perfect socked-on-the-nose strike of green "T.R. & Co. N.Y. Jun 23 1863" datestamp, few blunted perfs, Very Fine and rare, a few dozen First Issue Revenues are known with green cancels and only a small handful are as attractive as this
20c Foreign Exchange, Red, Perforated (R41c). Block of four, radiant color, Nov. 3, 1864 manuscript cancels, Very Fine, a scarce multiple
25c Certificate, Red, Perforated, Printed on Both Sides (R44e). Printed in same orientation as the front and showing part of two stamps on back, rich color, Oct. 2, 1866 manuscript cancel
FRESH AND FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 25-CENT CERTIFICATE PERFORATED ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ONLY ONE OTHER.
This is not known imperforate or part perforated. For perforated, we were able to locate only one other (ex Floyd and Chapin).
Ex Joyce and Cunliffe.
25c Insurance, Perforated, Double Impression (R46e). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, neat manuscript cancel, fresh and Fine, very few are known (we were able to locate only two others in our informal search), with 1991 P.F. certificate
25c Power of Attorney, Red, Perforated (R48c). Vertical pair and block of four, each with complete imprint and "Plate No. 25 A" with letter "A" inverted, pair with handsome red three-line "Deposit Duty Express" handstamp, block with manuscript cancel, bottom stamp of pair with horizontal crease, Fine-Very Fine and rare pair of items
70c Foreign Exchange, Green, Perforated (R65c). Vivid red socked-on-the-nose "B&N Mar 3 1866" circular datestamp, bright and fresh with lovely balanced margins, Extremely Fine and fresh, an extraordinary stamp
$1.00 Mortgage, Red, Perforated (R73c). Position 13 with bottom frame line double, deep rich color, bold manuscript cancel, shifted slightly to top so showing the variety very clearly, Fine example of this variety
$1.00 Mortgage, Red, Perforated (R73c). Horizontal strip of four, rich color, 1864 manuscript cancels, pos. 3 short perf bottom left, typical Very Good centering, scarce multiple, the largest recorded block is of four, two strips of five are also known (one rejoined, one on document), most of these are reinforced or rejoined, Scott value $1,300 as two pairs
$1.00 Mortgage, Red, Perforated (R73c). Block of four, better centering than typically seen, 1864 manuscript cancels, right pair creased, top left small tear, otherwise Fine, only five other blocks of four listed in the Curtis Survey, three of these are either reinforced or rejoined
$1.00 Passage Ticket, Red, Perforated (R74c). Horizontal strip of three, attractive color, a few sensible hinge reinforcements, Very Fine, a scarce strip, ex Weill Brothers stock and Curtis, Scott value $1,100 as a pair and single
$1.30 Foreign Exchange, Orange, Perforated (R77c). Horizontal strip of four, brilliant color, neat strikes of "Taussig, Fisher & Co. New York Dec. 29, 1866" double-oval datestamp, few expertly reinforced perf separations, Very Fine, no blocks are known, this is the largest recorded multiple, one other is known, ex Joyce, Scott value $800 as two pairs
$1.90 Foreign Exchange, Purple, Perforated (R80c). Rich color nicely complemented by blue 1869 double-circle datestamp, balanced margins with perforations clear of the design on all sides, Very Fine and choice
$1.90 Foreign Exchange, Purple, Perforated (R80c). Horizontal pair, deep rich color, light strike of double-circle datestamp, some perf separations sensibly reinforced, Very Fine appearance, only four multiples larger than a pair are recorded and only six pairs are known
$1.90 Foreign Exchange, Purple, Perforated (R80c). Horizontal strip of five, rich color, Aug. 16, 1872 manuscript cancels, horizontal crease, Very Fine appearance, only one multiple is larger (a block of 18, ex Curtis), ex Halstead, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value $1,200 as two pairs
$1.90 Foreign Exchange, Purple, Perforated (R80c). Block of four (two horizontal pairs rejoined), pastel color, April 1, 1867 manuscript cancels, top right stamp couple minor perf flaws, otherwise Fine, top left stamp signed Dean, ex Joyce and Curtis, only one larger block is known (of 18, a strip of five is also known), only one other block of four is recorded
$2.00 Probate of Will, Red, Perforated (R83c). Bright color and beautifully balanced margins, three neat strikes of "N.Y. Cen. R.R. Co Treasurer's Office Feb 18 1865" oval datestamp, Extremely Fine and fresh, a very handsome stamp
$2.00 Probate of Will, Red, Perforated (R83c). Block of six, rich color, Oct. 7, 1864 manuscript cancels, faint crease affects top right stamp, a Fine-Very Fine and attractive multiple, Scott value $625 as block and pair
$3.00 Charter Party, Green, Perforated, Printed on Both Sides (R85ce). Back printed in same orientation as the front and clearly showing part of two stamps, front with rich color and unobtrusive manuscript cancel, light crease, small corner crease at bottom left, small thin spot at top left
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 PERFORATED CHARTER PARTY PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
We have been able to locate only 3-4 others, all perforated. Ex Joyce. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
$3.00 Manifest, Green, Perforated (R86c). Block of six, deep rich color, bold "5/30/67" manuscript cancels, top center stamp crease at top, Very Fine appearance, only one multiple is larger and this is the only block of six known, ex Halstead, Scott value $425 as block and pair
$3.00 Manifest, Green, Perforated, Counterfeit (R86c CF1). Rich color which is very close to that of the issued stamp, "Central Transatlantic Company, N.Y., Nov. 19, 1869" double-oval datestamp, light horizontal crease at bottom, otherwise Very Fine, this is the only reported example of the perforated $3.00 Manifest counterfeit, with 2002 P.F. certificate, listed but unpriced in Scott, where the more common imperforate (5-6 known) catalogues $7,500
$3.50 Inland Exchange, Blue, Perforated (R87c). Block of four with bottom sheet selvage, bright color, 1869 manuscript cancels, few light pre-printing paperfolds, light creases, small tear at right of top right stamp, otherwise Very Fine, only one multiple is larger (a block of six), ex Turner, Cunliffe and Curtis
$3.50 Inland Exchange, Blue, Perforated (R87c). Block of four, deep rich color, faint manuscript cancels, bottom stamps light diagonal creases, Very Fine appearance, a block of six and six blocks of four are the only recorded blocks
$5.00 Manifest, Red, Perforated (R90c). Horizontal strip of three, each stamp with neat 1867 circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, a handsome multiple, Scott value $420 as pair and single