Sale 1334 — The Dr. George Haikel Collection: Stamps and Covers of Exceptional Beauty and Rarity
Sale Date — Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue and Re-Issue
2c Brown (113). Horizontal pair, wonderful rich color, tied by red "Baltimore Md. Aug. 28" (1869) circular datestamp and matching Dot in Circle Foreign Mail cancel on folded printed Prices Current to St. Lucia, West Indies, backstamped "St. Thomas D SE 22" circular datestamp, manuscript "1" rate, a couple negligible breaks in paper not mentioned on certificate
VERY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS TO ST. LUCIA.
The other known 1869 cover to St. Lucia, also bearing a 2c pair and addressed to MacFarlane & Co., realized $6,250 hammer in our 2023 sale of the Jeffrey M. Forster collection (Sale 1282, lot 1046).
Ex Rose. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
6c Ultramarine (115). Square-shaped block of sixteen, original gum, some slight disturbance from hinge removal and offset from another 6c sheet on gum of right vertical column, extraordinarily well-centered, sensibly reinforced perf separations, four stamps slightly creased, a corner crease and tiny pinhole affecting two stamps noted on certificate but truly negligible in a multiple of this importance
VERY FINE TO EXTREMELY FINE. BY FAR THE FINER OF THE TWO RECORDED BLOCKS OF SIXTEEN OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL—THE LARGEST-SIZE UNUSED MULTIPLE. A MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION PIECE.
Described in Brookman Vol. II: "The finest block of which we have any record was a very fine O.G. block of 16 offered by Elliott Perry in 1936 that reappeared in the Caspary Sale of 1956." Illustrated and described in Chronicle (Vol 26, No. 3) and Rose book (p. 63). Ex Caspary, Grunin, Wunderlich, Ishikawa and Zoellner. With 1993 P.F. certificate. Scott value $67,000 as four blocks of four.
6c Ultramarine (115). Deep shade, tied by small four-bar grid cancel, bold "Zanesville O. Sep. 4" circular datestamp on Blandy's Steam Engine Works illustrated advertising cover to Trenton, Georgia, marvelous high-quality lithographed design in light and dark gray, imprint of A. Hoen & Co. Baltimore lithographers, text and additional illustration on back, slightly reduced at left
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COVERS WITH THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
The 6c stamp was most frequently used to pay double the 3c rate domestically, the 6c rate to Canada and maritime provinces, or in combination with other stamps to foreign destinations. It was rarely used on advertising covers. The cover offered here, with a beautiful lithographed all-over design with illustration of a steam engine and with clear markings, is truly rare and spectacular.
Illustrated in 1869 Census book on page 26. Ex Haas, Ishikawa and Rose. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
6c Ultramarine (115). Two, used with 1c Buff (112) and 3c Ultramarine (114) on 2c Black entire (U50), paying 3c postage plus 15c registry fee, tied by grid cancels, "Duxbury Mass. May 3" circular datestamp from the postmaster to Dr. Seth Arnold at Woonsocket R.I., 3c straight edge at left and with lightened staining and rounded top right corner, all stamps have bright fresh colors and the entire is immaculate, receipt docketing at left
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND COLOFRUL FRANKING OF THE ONE-CENT, 3-CENT AND 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A BLACK JACK ENTIRE.
Illustrated in 1869 Census book on page 24. Ex J. D. Baker and Rose. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
12c Green (117). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). With 2024 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This stamp compares very favorably to the P.S.E.-graded Superb 98 we offered in our Sale 1092 in 2015, but stamps with asymmetrical designs without square borders sometimes do not grade as highly as they should.
12c Green (117). Horizontal block of six, original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, clearly defined grills, choice centering for this difficult multiple
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX AND THE FINEST 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE BLOCK EXTANT.
The Rose book notes eight unused blocks, including an off-center block of twelve, two blocks of nine and three blocks of six. We have offered two additional blocks of nine. All of the blocks of six or larger are off center, with the exception of the block offered here. This is the finest block known to us.
Ex Eubanks. With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott value $18,000 as a block of four and pair.
12c Green (117). Centered to top, used with 2c Brown (146), tied by circle of wedges cancels, "Peoria Ill. May 16" (1874) circular datestamp on small cover to Lieutenant Colonel James Bassel in the Egyptian Army at Cairo, Egypt, 24c rate underpaid, both stamps additionally tied by "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID" straightline handstamp applied at New York, red crayon "14" crossed out in blue and re-rated "1-" (one shilling), various North German Union rate notations, two "Insufficiently Paid" markings in German and French, "2½" piastres due marking, backstamped at New York, Trieste, Alexandria and Cairo
VERY FINE COVER. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A COVER ADDRESSED DIRECTLY TO EGYPT. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
The 1869 Census book lists this cover as the only 1869 Pictorial addressed directly to Egypt. The book also lists two covers each with a 15c stamp addressed to Paris and forwarded to Alexandria. One was offered in our Coulter auction (Sale 911, lot 222). The other was offered in our Sale 1223.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Bassel was one of 50 or so American military officers who went to Egypt in the 1870s to train and direct the army of the Khedive Ismail. Bassel served in Egypt for about one year before leaving for the Far East.
Ex Albert and Rose. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Slightly disturbed original gum, bright colors and crisp impressions, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE IS EXTREMELY RARE WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND CHOICE CENTERING—THIS STAMP HAS EXTRAORDINARILY WIDE MARGINS.
A review using Power Search and our digital records shows how rare this is with such superior centering. For graded, there is one at 85 (ex Scarsdale) and one graded 95 (in 2005, this needs to be measured according to current grading standards to confirm its grade). The P.F. has graded one at 95 and two at 85. For ungraded, the nicest example we have offered was in our 2022 "Great Point" collection (Sale 1256, lot 2066).
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1983 and 1993 P.F. certificates as original gum. With 2024 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, XF 90; SMQ $20,000 as OGph).
24c Green & Violet (120). Well-centered, rich colors with unusually fine vignette impression, tied by blue quartered cork cancel with matching blue "Savannah Ga. Oct. 20" (1869) circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Liverpool, England, double 12c rate, red New York and "Paid/Liverpool/U.S. Packet" circular datestamps, merchant's blue oval datestamp, sender's directive "Per City of Antwerp from New York"
EXTREMELY FINE. PROBABLY THE FINEST SINGLE FRANKING OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL IN EXISTENCE. THE ONLY COVER WITH THE STAMP CANCELLED IN BLUE.
There are 72 recorded 24c 1869 covers in the PRA census book, and perhaps another dozen or so not included in the census. Only eighteen in the census book are single frankings. Only seven are recorded to England, a low number considering the double 12c treaty rate fits the stamp's denomination. In our opinion this is the most beautiful of the covers bearing a single stamp.
Ex Waterhouse, Rust and Rose. With 1966 and 1997 P.F. certificates. Scott value $35,000.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Original gum, minor hinge remnant, deep rich colors, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
With the reclassification of many copies of Scott 121a as the 30c 1869 experimental printing on double paper, the rarity of stamps that will be certified as Scott 121a has increased significantly. This stamp shows the sharper impression of Scott 121a on normal paper.
Ex Hetherington. With 1961 and 1991 P.F. certificates.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill, rich colors and detailed impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. AND XF 90 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869s.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). With 2024 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade in SMQ, SMQ $30,000 as 90 and $75,000 as 95). This stamp compares very favorably to the examples graded by P.S.E. at XF-Superb 95 (the margins are wider than some), but grading stamps with designs that are asymmetrical sometimes results in measurements off by a fraction of a millimeter, regardless of appearance.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Original gum described on older certificate as part original gum and on most recent certificate as disturbed original gum, it covers the entire back of the stamp, deep rich colors, gorgeous centering with unusually Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THE CENTERING AND SIZE OF MARGINS ON THIS STAMP ARE TRULY OUTSTANDING. this was recently graded superb 98 jumbo by p.s.e., by far the highest grade awarded to this issue.
The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors.
With 1985 P.F. certificate. With 2024 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, Superb 98 Jumbo). The Superb 98 Jumbo grade is three levels higher than the next highest grade (95) for any unused Scott 122 certified by P.S.E. Six stamps have receive the 95 grade: three with original gum and three in the broad NG/REG/D-POG categories (one with no gum, one with redistributed original gum, and one with large part original gum). XF-Superb 95 is the highest grade priced in SMQ for a stamp with any original gum, at $75,000 (OG).
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue (129). Block of four, unused (no gum), brilliant rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright white paper
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO KNOWN BLOCKS OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. AN OUTSTANDING CLASSIC MULTIPLE IN SUPERB CONDITION.
The other recorded block (ex Worthington, Bechtel, Zoellner and "Lafayette") has an ink spot between the right vertical pair. It brought $37,500 in our 2015 auction of the Hall collection.
Ex Worthington, Ackerman, Lilly and Hetherington. With 1980 and 1998 P.F. certificates. Scott value $42,500 as original-gum block.
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue, Imperforate Horizontally (129a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
Jonathan W. Rose, in his book United States Postage Stamps of 1869, stated that only one sheet of 100 was issued without horizontal perforations. All were cut into singles by a clerk in the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office. It is not known how many were sold, but many seem to lack gum. This stamp has full original gum.
An unpublished census of Scott 129a by Andrew Morrison records 39 in total (two used), and 17 have original gum or part original gum. We have located seven other unduplicated original-gum examples in our auctions.
Ex Gorham. With 1996 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
This issue is surprisingly difficult to find in such pristine condition. With 1991 P.F. certificate.
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Last offered in the 1992 Ivy, Shreve & Mader Interpex auction. With 1985 and 1992 P.F. certificates.