Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 5c-12c 1851-56 Issues (Scott 12-16)
5c Red Brown (12). Unused (no gum), large margins all around, beautiful rich color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND LARGE-MARGINED UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound and unused condition. The spacing between stamps is very narrow — in some cases only 1.2 millimeters wide. This left little margin for error when separating the stamps, and it explains why so few examples are known with four margins.
With 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90).
(Image Magnifier)
5c Red Brown (12). A Relief from the top row of the plate, large even margins all around, rich color on bright paper, lightly struck New Orleans circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
(Image Magnifier)5c Red Brown (12). Horizontal pair, choice even margins all around, deep rich color on fresh paper, central strike of New Orleans circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING PAIR OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A PAIR.
Used pairs of this issue are readily available as some were used to pay the 10c over 3,000 miles domestic rate or they can be cut down from a strip of three that typically paid the 15c rate to France. However, they invariably have faults or margins that are cut in due to the close spacing between subjects on the plate. This pair, with full margins and completely sound, is very much the exception and is a wonderful condition rarity.
Ex Kirke. With 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; pairs unpriced in SMQ). This is only pair in the P.S.E. Population Report to achieve this grade with none higher.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. I (13). Enormous margins all around, rich color, unobtrusive strike of cancel leaves entire design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IN THE FINEST CONDITION POSSIBLE.
The Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). Unfortunately, many were trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and only four others share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. I (13). Enormous margins including sheet margin at bottom and significant portion of adjoining stamp at top, deep rich color, bold strikes of circular datestamp as well as trace of red transit at bottom right and also part of red numeral cancel at right
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MASSIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I WITH SHEET MARGIN AT BOTTOM AND A PORTION OF ADJOINING STAMP AT TOP.
Ex Ishikawa, Dr. Hinrichs and Drs. Dauer. With 1979 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. I (13). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins all around, cancelled by clear strikes of Charleston S.C. datestamp, bright color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM PAIR. MULTIPLES OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IMPERFORATE ARE RARELY ENCOUNTERED IN THIS SUPERB QUALITY.
Ex Chapin and Hansen. 1960 and 2003 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2008 P.F. certificate.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. III/I (15/13). Positions 85/95R1, vertical combination pair, two huge margins, ample at bottom and mostly clear at left, wonderful dark shade and early proof-like impression, tied by "New Orleans La. Apr. 3, 1857" circular datestamp on piece, Fine, ex Ackerman, Moody, Chapin and Hansen, with 1965 and 2003 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, large to huge margins all around, deep rich color and proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 IMPERFORATE 10-CENT TYPE II. WORTHY OF THE FINEST COLLECTION.
Given the wide spacing between subjects on the plate used to print the 10c 1855 Issue, one would expect to find an ample supply of examples in sound original-gum condition with four margins. However, such stamps are extremely rare.
With 1979 and 2006 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90). Only six grade higher but we have offered only one of them, graded 98 (realized $29,000 hammer).
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. II (14). Position 60R1, huge margins all around including right sheet margin with "Casilear & Co. BANK NOTE EN" part imprint, bright color nicely complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, especially rare with the imprint and red cancel, with 2009 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. II (14). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins including significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color, New Orleans circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. II (14). Horizontal pair, huge margins all around including left sheet margin and significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, New Orleans circular datestamps, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 1992 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. II/III (14/15). Vertical pair, top stamp Type II, large to huge margins including interpane sheet margin at left, rich color, cancelled solely by "3" rate handstamps, light horizontal crease and tiny corner margin crease affects top stamp, bottom stamp sound, Extremely Fine appearance, a beautiful pair with an unusual cancel, with 1986 P.F. certificate, Scott value $325 without premium for the cancels
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large margins all around, rich color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1986 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. III (15). Position 2L2, huge margins all around, rich color, bold strike of "PAID" straightline handstamp, Extremely Fine, ex Levi and Zoellner as a reconstructed pair, ex Dr. Hinrichs as single, with 1999 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. III (15). Positions 46-47R1, horizontal pair, huge margins to full including significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, 1857 San Francisco circular datestamps, Extremely Fine, a beautiful pair used from San Francisco, with 1987 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. III (15). Positions 41-44R1, horizontal strip of four, huge margins to full including left interpane margin, rich color, New Orleans circular datestamp cancels, right stamp faint vertical crease, otherwise Extremely Fine, Scott value $770 as strip of three and single
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, huge margins all around including parts of adjoining stamp at right, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, bold strike of "New Orleans La. Feb. 29" leap year circular datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE, FROM THE ONLY POSITION RECUT AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
10c 1855 Type IV stamps are defined by the recut of one or both outer lines at the top or bottom of the design. Type IV stamps come from only seven scattered positions on the left pane and one position on the right pane of Plate 1. Therefore, only 4% of the stamps from Plate 1 are Type IV. Of these eight positions, 64L1 is the only one with recut lines at both top and bottom.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (two each at 95J and 98) and 13 others share this desirable grade. The Population Report does not distinguish between the various positions, but we checked with P.S.E. and this is the only example from 64L1 to achieve this grade. One of the two graded 98 is also from this position.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, large margins to full, cancelled solely by "PAID" straightline handstamp
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM THE ONLY POSITION RECUT AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM, CANCELLED BY A CLEARLY STRUCK "PAID" HANDSTAMP.
10c 1855 Type IV stamps are defined by the recut of one or both outer lines at the top or bottom of the design. Type IV stamps come from only seven scattered positions on the left pane and one position on the right pane of Plate 1. Therefore, only 4% of the stamps from Plate 1 are Type IV. Of these eight positions, 64L1 is the only one with recut lines at both top and bottom.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, huge margins to full at left, bright shade, unobtrusive strikes of circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE. A PARTICULARLY CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV IMPERFORATE.
1985 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90).
(Image Magnifier)12c Black (17). Original gum, minor hinge remnant at bottom, large even margins, crisp impression, bright shade
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A RARE AND SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH PROOF-LIKE IMPRESSION, SHOWING EVERY MINUTE DETAIL OF THE LATHEWORK ENGRAVING THAT DISTINGUISHES TOPPAN CARPENTER'S WORK IN SECURITY PRINTING.
The 12c issue was printed from a plate that provided little space between stamps. Copies such as this one with extra wide margins are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition.
With 2005 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
(Image Magnifier)12c Black (17). Huge margins all around showing frameline of adjoining stamp at top, intense shade, Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
(Image Magnifier)12c Black, Triple Transfer (17 var). Position 5R1, large to huge margins including part of top sheet margin, bold strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem example of this desirable and rare variety, with 1988 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins including part of two adjoining stamps at bottom, circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, small backstamp at bottom left, ex Kirke, with 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, large margins to full, intense shade, 1857 circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)