Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78a)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1975 and 2008 P.F. certificates
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Outstanding centering and margins, intense shade of the First Design complemented by bright red grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF 10-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN, WITH A VIVID RED CANCEL. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH THIS CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1993 P.F. certificate.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Intense shade and impression, neat strike of red circular datestamp, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates
30c Red Orange, First Color (61). Original gum, intense fiery color, exceptionally choice centering for this rarity, long full perfs all around, very fresh
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 30-CENT 1861 FIRST COLOR IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN COMPLETELY SOUND CONDITION. THIS WONDERFUL STAMP—WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND FLAWLESS IN EVERY RESPECT—IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 34 RECORDED EXAMPLES.
Our census of Scott 61 at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/61 contains a total of 34 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library. Virtually all are centered to one side, and many are centered to two sides. A characteristic common to most examples of the 30c 1861 First Color is creasing, which in some cases is very severe and in others barely visible. Only ten stamps are confirmed as sound, with seven having original gum, including the example offered here. Among the sound copies are a few with a nibbed perf or two. If all factors are considered—gum state, soundness and centering—this stamp ranks among the top handful in our census.
Census no. 61-OG-05. Ex Col. Green, Chapin and Hansen. With 1993 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
3c Pink (64). Beautifully centered, light strike of blue "Amherst N.Y. 14 Sep." circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK, WITH A BLUE "SOCKED-ON-THE-NOSE" CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other.
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., brilliant color and wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING WITH UNCOMMONLY WIDE MARGINS. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 1966 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
5c Buff (67). Rich color and detailed impression nicely complemented by red grid cancel, choice centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF WITH GORGEOUS COLOR, CENTERING, PERFORATIONS AND CANCEL.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). Only eight grade higher.
5c Buff (67). Deep shade complemented by blue Baltimore circular datestamp cancel, excellent centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF CANCELLED IN BLUE.
Ex Grunin, Klein and Zoellner. With 1988 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only eight grade higher.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Fresh color in an unusually bright shade, choice centering with perforations clear of design on all sides, neat strike of red circular datestamp cancel at right leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE BROWN YELLOW COLOR, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Due to narrow spacing on the 5c plate, it is very difficult to find centered copies with the perforations clear of the design on all sides. The stamp offered here, with choice centering and the red town cancellation, is a true condition rarity.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to Scott 67a and it is shared by only one other.
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright color in Brown Yellow shade (but called Buff on accompanying certificate), well-centered, New York circular datestamp and red French entry datestamp, Very Fine and choice, a lovely stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate as Buff No. 67
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright color in Brown Yellow shade (described as Buff on two P.F. certificates), choice centering and margins, unobtrusive Newton Ill. circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1985 and 2008 P.F. certificates as Buff No. 67
10c Green. "TAG" Double Transfer (68 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
10c Dark Green (68a). Original gum, intense "August" shade and proof-like impression, wide balanced margins and outstanding centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE EARLY DARK GREEN SHADE, GRADED XF-90 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO AN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE AND IT IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
With 1991 P.F. certificate as Yellow Green No. 68, which it clearly is not. A comparison to the No. 68 offered in the previous lot will satisfy any curiosity on this point. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate as Dark Green No. 68a (OGph, XF 90). This is the the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to an original-gum example and it is shared by no others. Even the more common Green and Yellow Green shades of No. 68 have only three original-gum stamps graded 90 or higher.
10c Dark Green (68a). Incredibly deep rich color, choice centering with wide margins, neat strike of "N.York Steamship" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2001 P.F. certificate
12c Black (69). Beautifully centered with balanced margins which are immense for this issue, New York 4-Point Star in Circle fancy cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1994 and 2008 P.F. certificates
12c Black (69). Wide margins and well-centered, intense shade complemented by bright red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.S.E., 1992 and 2008 P.F. certificates
12c Black (69). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Drs. Dauer, with 2004 P.F. certificate
24c Red Lilac (70). Phenomenal dark and rich shade and early impression, clear strike of blue Chicago Ill. double-circle datestamp, essentially perfect centering with wide balanced margins all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE DISTINCTIVE DEEP RED LILAC SHADE AND COMPLEMENTED BY A BLUE CHICAGO DATESTAMP CANCEL. THIS STAMP IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL COMBINATION OF CENTERING, COLOR AND CANCELLATION.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only one Scott 70 grades higher (at 98).
24c Red Lilac (70). Beautifully centered with balanced margins all around, deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, red grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC SHADE CANCELLED IN RED. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Like the Scott 70 offered in the previous lot, this stamp is also one of the finest examples of the early 24c 1861 Red Lilac shade we have handled in terms of centering, margins, cancellation and overall condition.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 1991, 1996 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
24c Red Lilac (70). Stunning color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Washington's portrait framed by Philadelphia circular datestamp and target with additional red datestamp at left
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC SHADE COMBINING STUNNING COLOR, CENTERING AND ATTRACTIVE CANCEL.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs and "Scarsdale". With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Brilliant color in the distinct Steel Blue shade, choice centering and margins, bold grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a premium example of this popular shade, with 1987 P.F. certificate
24c Steel Blue (70b). Beautiful color in the distinctive Steel Blue shade, cancelled by red New York "Supplementary Mail" Type A handstamp, Very Fine, with 1987 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Steel Blue (70b). Intense color in this distinctive shade, lightly struck blue Baltimore circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 1996 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Choice centering with balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression nicely complemented by blue Springfield double-circle datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Beautiful color and nicely centered, neat grid of small squares cancel (probably Philadelphia)
FRESH AND VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
With 1987 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
24c Pale Gray Violet, Thin Paper (70d). Well-centered, cancelled by blue Cincinnati O. double-circle datestamp and grid duplex with bold large red "3" handstamp, some slight toning in top margin is not particularly noticeable, Very Fine appearance, a striking stamp with great visual appeal, ex Grunin and Klein, with 1988 and 2008 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (71). Choice centering and margins, detailed impression and vivid color contrasted by blue Baltimore circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Grunin, Klein and Zoellner, with 1988 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Outstanding centering and margins, bright color complemented by bold red target cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 1993 and 2008 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (71). Outstanding centering, brilliant color, neat grid of small squares cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
30c Orange (71). Choice centering and margins, Franklin's portrait is neatly framed by strikes of fancy circle of rays cancel, Extremely Fine and visually appealing, with 2005 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
90c Blue (72). Extra wide margins at top and bottom, choice centering and bright color, unusual New York Foreign Mail geometric cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1997 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Rich color and detailed impression, choice centering, grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2001 and 2005 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
2c Black (73). Outstanding centering and fine impression, bold New Orleans circular datestamp, minute magenta ink speck below Jackson's eye, still Extremely Fine Gem and striking, most unusual with this town cancellation, ex Zoellner
ADDENDA: Minute magenta ink speck below Jackson's eye
3c Scarlet (74). Original gum, brilliant color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering with well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS AND WITH ORIGINAL GUM. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 — probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition — and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870s, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.
With 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, deep rich color in the distinctive Red Brown shade, outstanding centering and margins, especially for this difficult issue
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE CENTERED AND SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT JEFFERSON IN THE 1862 RED BROWN SHADE.
The 5c Red Brown — issued in early 1862 after the Buff printing — is one of the 1861-66 stamps that challenges collectors who demand choice original-gum examples. Multiples of the Red Brown are extremely rare, with only one recorded original-gum block; therefore, there has never been a supply of blocks from which singles could be removed. The vast majority of original-gum singles are off-center or faulty. The example offered here is remarkable for several reasons: the color is in the distinctive Red Brown shade, it has original gum, the perforations are well-formed, and the stamp is almost perfectly centered.
With 1988 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to an original gum stamp is 70.
5c Brown (76). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issue was printed from plates with closely spaced subjects that left little room for the large 12-gauge perforations. The Brown shade, Scott 76, is scarce in original-gum condition and truly rare in this high grade.
With 1988 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
5c Brown (76). Original gum, rich color, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (75). Brilliant color, choice centering and margins, target cancel and red datestamp at bottom, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90)
15c Black (77). Well-centered, light strike of red circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Lilac (78). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 24-CENT 1861-63 ISSUE IS VERY RARE IN SOUND AND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A FAR GREATER CHALLENGE TO ACQUIRE IN THIS GRADE THAN MANY COLLECTORS REALIZE.
Ex Odeneal. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Excellent centering with wide and balanced margins, beautiful dark shade and proof-like impression, target cancels, Extremely Fine, ex Drs. Dauer, with 2005 P.F. certificate