Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — Revenues including Hunting Permits
25c Certificate, Red, Inverted Impression of 25c Power of Attorney Printed on Back (R44f). Clear impression on back printed inverted in relation to front, neat "Oc. 22, 1865" manuscript cancel, deep rich color, well-centered with three wide margins
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 25-CENT CERTIFICATE ISSUE WITH THE 25-CENT POWER OF ATTORNEY ISSUE PRINTED ON BACK.
Ex Cunliffe (where it was described as one of only two known, with the other bearing the same manuscript date) and "Wildhorse". We sold an example in our 1986 Rarities sale with a Sep. 7 date. Those two examples are the only others of which we are aware.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
$1.60 Foreign Exchange, Green, Imperforate (R79a). Large beautifully even margins, deep rich color, neat strike of blue "L.P. Morton & Co. New York Sep. 18, 1866" double-circle datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.60 FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPERFORATE FIRST REVENUE ISSUE. PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH A BLUE HANDSTAMP CANCEL.
Ex Yost. With 1999 P.F. certificate.
$3.00 Charter Party, Green, Perforated, Printed on Both Sides (R85ce). Attractive shade, neat April 15, 1867 manuscript cancel, back of stamp with clear impression of the same design, light horizontal crease above the bottom label
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 CHARTER PARTY PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE SAME DESIGN ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK. A GREAT RARITY OF REVENUE COLLECTING.
The $3.00 Charter Party is also known with the A. D. & B. Sands' Elixir of Opium (RS208) design printed on back (see Sale 1010, lot 159), which is unique. The example offered here is almost as rare.
Ex Cunliffe. With 2008 P.F. certificate.
$200.00 U.S.I.R., Imperforate (R102a). Vertical pair, huge margins including bottom right corner sheet margins, deep rich colors, neat Feb. 21, 1865 manuscript cancels, faint horizontal crease in bottom margin well clear of design
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE VERTICAL PAIR OF THE SPECTACULAR $200.00 U.S.I.R. FIRST ISSUE IMPERFORATE.
From the Weill sale and ex Zoellner.
$200.00 U.S.I.R., Green & Red, Imperforate (R102a). Vertical pair, large margins to clear, rich colors, neat "Stewarts Run Petroleum Co. Feb. 23, 1866" double-circle datestamps are strongly impressed causing some paper indentations, few light wrinkles and slight crease mostly between stamps—none mentioned on accompanying certificate
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE PAIR OF THE $200.00 u.s.i.r. first issue IMPERFORATE.
Most pairs tend to be cut in or defective. With clear 2015 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R118a). Bright colors, neat Aug. 8, 1872 manuscript cancel, tiny pinhole at bottom center
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 SECOND REVENUE ISSUE INVERT.
Ex Cunliffe and Curtis. With 2015 P.F. certificate.
$5.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue, Center Inverted (R127a). Uncancelled, affixed alongside $1.00 Blue & Black, Second Issue (R118) on Dec. 31, 1870 four-page indenture and deed for $6,000, from Washington Village, Middlesex County, N.J., both stamps are fresh and sound, the document with a couple minor splits at edges along folds
VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY USE OF AN UNCANCELLED $5.00 SECOND ISSUE REVENUE INVERT ON AN 1870 INDENTURE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED $5.00 INVERT STILL ON THE ORIGINAL FULL DOCUMENT—THE UNCANCELLED INVERT IS A GREAT REVENUE STAMP RARITY AND THE DOCUMENT IS AN OUTSTANDING ARTIFACT OF THE FIELD.
Ex Cunliffe. With 2009 P.F. certificate. The Scott value of $3,750 for a cancelled stamp does not reflect the value of an uncancelled example of this invert error or the use on document.
$200.00 Red, Blue & Black, Second Issue, "Small Persian Rug" (R132). With selvage on two sides including imprint at right, rich colors, neat magenta 1872 manuscript cancel
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE $200.00 SMALL "PERSIAN RUG" ISSUE, WITH SELVAGE ON TWO SIDES AND SHOWING PART OF THE IMPRINT.
These were printed in sheets of one with selvage on all sides. Only one is known with the full imprint (offered in our 2000 Zoellner sale, realized $32,500 hammer). This is the only other with part imprint.
Ex Griswold ("Eastern" Collection). Illustrated in the Kingsley book on p. 36. With 2015 P.F. certificate.
$200.00 Red, Blue & Black, Second Issue, "Small Persian Rug" (R132). Rich colors, manuscript "L. C. C. 5th June 1872" cancel and used with $5.00 Vermilion & Black (R148) and two horizontal pairs and single of $10.00 Green & Black (R149) Third Issue, similarly cancelled, on indenture between Luther Clark and the Clifton Mining Company for 23,320 acres in Pierrepont N.Y., most stamps effectively tied by creases or bends (accompanying certificate states all stamps creased but we fail to see broken paper fibers in $200.00 and top pair of $10.00), document missing two additional stamps at bottom where folded
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE DOCUMENT BEARING THE $200.00 SMALL PERSIAN RUG.
The Clifton Mining Company was the successor to the Clifton Iron Company, which operated a single iron mine with railroad connection on the acreage covered by this indenture and went into receivership in 1869. According to later testimony, the new Clifton Mining Company never mined any ore after taking over use of the property covered in this deed.
Ex Curtis. With 1985 P.F. certificate. Scott value as used stamps without premium for the use on document.
$500.00 Red Orange, Green & Black, Second Issue, "Large Persian Rug" (R133). Well-centered with sheet margins with full imprints at sides and original gum, deep rich colors and sharp proof-like impressions, two manuscript "X" cancels thru both denominations and neat "E.C. July 7, 1872" (Erastus Corning) manuscript cancel on vignette, light creases in selvage only (the stamp itself is sound)
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF FOUR REPORTED $500.00 "LARGE PERSIAN RUG" STAMPS WITH SHEET MARGINS AND IMPRINTS.
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 examples. The initials "E.C." on this stamp belong to Erastus Corning, from whose estate both of the Large and Small "Persian Rug" imprint examples originate. The $200.00 Small Persian Rug was sold in our Zoellner Revenue sale (Sep. 2000), where it realized $32,500 versus a Scott Catalogue value of $5,000. According to Dr. Thomas Kingsley, the stamps were purchased by Mr. Corning's estate to pay the tax on his will, but the stamps were never attached to the will (this is why they retain their original gum).
Census no. 1-3. Ex Inman. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
$500.00 Carmine, "Series 1940" Ovpt. (R309). Serial no. 1026, brilliant color, neat manuscript cancel, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE $500.00 "SERIES 1940" OVERPRINT ISSUE.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Revenues are unpriced in SMQ. This is the only graded example. SCV $5,000.
50c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB8a). Unused (no gum), beautifully centered, fresh and bright
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY 50-CENT PROPRIETARY ISSUE. PROBABLY THE FINEST KNOWN IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Ex Cole. With 2006 P.F. certificate. SCV as used $1,000.
$1.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB9a). Light strike of purple "P.W. Engs & Sons 131 Front Street Mar. 8, 1875" oval handstamp cancel, rich color and well-centered, small margin thin at upper left
very fine APPEARANCE. a beautiful example of the $1.00 PROPRIETARY ISSUE ON VIOLET PAPER with a purple cancel.
Philip W. Engs (born 1789) ran a prominent liquor and rectifying business in New York City which survived for more than 100 years. He was also a notable "first responder" and donated substantial funds to firefighting as well as other public safety and health efforts. He died in 1875 at the age of 86, approximately two months after this stamp was used (source: http://pre-prowhiskeymen.blogspot.com/2017/01/philip-engs-whiskey-man-and-nyc-first.html).
$5.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB10a). Deep rich color, Feb. 1879 manuscript cancel and retaining nearly full original gum (h.r.), the only imperfection is a small corner crease at top right
FINE. A RARE NEARLY SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 PROPRIETARY STAMP ON VIOLET PAPER.
Most examples of the $5.00 have faults (many quite severe), due to the stamp’s large size and the nature of its use. The example offered here, with only a small corner crease, is far better than most. The Kingsley book contains a table showing 2,109 stamps ordered and he records only 119 copies extant.
1867, 33⅓c Ocher Red, ⅓bbl., Beer, Cut to Shape (REA10c; Priester 10aD). Large margins to clear except where tiny nick at bottom, bright color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 1867 ONE-THIRD BARREL PRINTED IN OCHER RED IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BEER STAMPS.
The Priester census recorded only one example. We have offered only one other, in our Inman sale, and that was mounted on piece as it was severely defective with pieces missing. This is also the only example certified by The Philatelic Foundation. It is possible that some are misidentified as the darker violet brown main shade, but it is certainly among the rarest beer stamps.
With 2017 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Blue, 1934 Hunting Permit (RW1). Pane of 28 with plate no. 129202 at bottom and selvage at left, stamps Mint N.H., usual natural gum skips and bends, few with natural gum wrinkles, small piece out of selvage at left next to Position 13 has been patched with a piece of of genuine RW1 selvage, few minor perf separations in that area of selvage
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE INTACT PANE OF 28 OF THE FIRST FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT, SCOTT RW1. VERY FEW PANES WITH SELVAGE ON TWO SIDES ARE KNOWN.
Scott RW1 thru RW12 were issued in panes of 28. Selvage is found at either top or bottom and on one side; nine stamps have a natural straight edge on one side, and one has a natural straight edge on two sides. Plate numbers are found at either top or bottom, though we have never offered a plate block from the top position larger than a block of six.
The first Hunting Permit stamp went on sale to the public on August 24, 1934. Multiples were not allowed to be sold, until the last two weeks the stamps were on sale, from June 15 thru June 30, 1935. RW2 was placed on sale July 1, 1935. This short period when they were allowed to be sold as unused multiples accounts for their rarity as plate blocks or in panes. We have offered only one other pane with selvage on two sides—as issued—since keeping computerized records. We have offered three without selvage on one side, but one was separated into two pieces (ex Webster) and another was affixed to a card (ex Frelinghuysen). We are aware of at least one other fully intact pane.
Scott value as plate block of six and 22 singles, which does not adequately convey the rarity of this pane.
$1.00 Blue, 1934 Hunting Permit (RW1). Mint N.H. bottom right plate no. 129201 block of six, fresh and bright color, well-centered, selvage somewhat reduced at right, usual light natural gum bends
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE FIRST HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE, SCOTT RW1.
According to The Duck Stamp Story, multiples of RW1 were authorized to be sold only in the last two weeks that the stamp was available, which accounts for the rarity of plate blocks.
$1.00 Rose Lake, 1935 Hunting Permit (RW2). Mint N.H. top right corner plate no. F 131981 block of eight, deep rich color on bright paper
FINE-VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE SECOND FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE, SCOTT RW2.
Designed by Frank Weston Benson, this issue shows Canvasback Ducks taking flight. These ducks are a diving species which are highly migratory in the United States. Scott value as plate block of six and two singles.
$1.00 Rose Lake, 1935 Hunting Permit (RW2). Mint N.H. bottom right plate no. 131982 block of six, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering throughout
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE SECOND FEDERAL DUCK ISSUE, RW2.
Designed by Frank Weston Benson, this issue shows Canvasback Ducks taking flight. These ducks are a diving species which are highly migratory in the United States. This example is particularly well-centered.
$15.00 1991 Hunting Permit, Black (Engr.) Omitted (RW58a). Mint N.H., rich colors, the missing engraving results in much lighter chests of the two King Eiders
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1991 HUNTING PERMIT WITH BLACK ENGRAVING OMITTED. PERHAPS A HALF-DOZEN ARE KNOWN.
According to The Duck Stamp Story, the first example of this error was discovered in 1992 by Dan Harshman. The book also states all known examples of this error originated in the San Francisco area.
With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75, Revenues unpriced in SMQ). Normal stamp accompanies for comparison.