Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — Colored Cancellations-Red, Brown and Purple
1c Buff (112). Rich color, clear strike of magenta 4-ring target cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate, SCV $310
1c Buff (112). Bright color, cancelled by brown 5-ring target cancel, faint diagonal crease at top left, Very Fine appearance, extremely rare, one of only two recorded brown cancels on the 1c 1869 Pictorial Issue, illustrated in Chronicle 242 on p. 162 where it is stated that only approximately seven post offices used true brown cancels during the 1869 period, with 2009 P.F. certificate, unlisted in Scott with a brown cancel
2c Brown (113). Rich color, clear strike of red Baltimore 8-bar open grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, an outstanding strike of this scarce cancel which usually lacks all detail, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Intense shade, choice centering, unusual red segmented cork cancel, small corner creases, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2011 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep shade nicely complemented by red Baltimore Four Diamonds cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Gore (1947 Costales sale), with 2009 and 2021 P.F. certificates (latter XF 90)
3c Ultramarine (114). Bright color nicely complemented by red "Due 3" in circle handstamp, Jumbo margins, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance, ex Nov. 26, 1956 H.R. Harmer sale of specialized 1869s and ex "Connoisseur", with 2011 and 2013 P.F. certificates
3c Ultramarine (114). Straight edge at right, wide and balanced margins, brilliant color, bold strike of red "M" cancel of Manchester Conn. (Skinner-Eno LS-M 8), Extremely Fine stamp and cancel, with 1996 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Detailed impression, choice centering with wide balanced margins, bold central strike of magenta 5-Point Star in Circle cancel, tiny thins at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2005 and 2016 P.F. certificates
3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color, choice centering, Philadelphia purple 3-bar cancel, tiny tear at left and small surface scrape at bottom right do not detract, Extremely Fine appearance, a stamp with great visual appeal, ex Haas, with 2005 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, red circle of hollow segments cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Hessel, Rust and Yost, with 1988, 1997 and 1999 P.F. certificates
6c Ultramarine (115). Rich color on bright paper, clear strike of red "(N. Yor)k Paid All May" circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and attractive, ex Newbury, with 1998 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Bright color and paper, clear strike of red 4-ring target cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Jumbo margins, especially at sides, bright color, red segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, ex Juhring and Walske, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Radiant color on bright paper, clear strike of red segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, offered in our Nov. 1969 auction of "United States Stamps: A Sale of Extraordinary Quality", with 1994 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of red Leaf cancel, matching "New York Paid All Jun. 30" (1869) circular datestamp and "Supplementary Mail" Type A octagonal handstamp on small cover to Edinburgh, Scotland, sender's directive "p China", Edinburgh receiving backstamp (Jul. 10), tear in backflap is insignificant
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST KNOWN SUPPLEMENTARY MAIL COVER WITH THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The "Supplementary Mail" handstamp indicates that it was placed by the post office into a special mail bag brought on board immediately prior to sailing. A full additional rate was required on supplementary mail letters, which was payable in stamps or cash; in this case the additional charge was paid in cash. This cover was carried on the Cunarder Asia, departing New York June 30, 1869, arriving Queenston July 9.
Power Search located only two other 1869 covers with Supplementary Mail handstamps. One bears a pair of 3c stamps. The other bears a 12c stamp. Neither shows the marking as clearly as the example offered here.
Ex Grunin and Bilden, and from our 1995 Rarities sale where acquired by Mr. Kardasis. With 1995 P.F. certificate.
6c Ultramarine (115). Bright color and paper, clear strike of Philadelphia purple segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and attractive, rare with this purple cancel, an underrated rarity, with 1998 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color nicely complemented by red "New York May 21" circular datestamp, Very Fine, ex Haas, Klein and Saadi, with 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Wide margins, bold strike of red Baltimore 3-bar grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, the Apr. 15, 1981 Stanley Gibbons Haas sale offered a cover with a similar cancel (lot 331), with 1998 P.S.E. and 1999 P.F. certificates
10c Yellow (116). Brilliant color, bold strike of bright red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Hoffner, with 1996 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, clear strike of red Baltimore Four Diamonds cancel, Very Fine and attractive, our Sale 529 (Wunsch) sale contained a cover with a similar cancel, ex Juhring, with 1988 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Rich color, bold strike of magenta multipoint negative Star and Circle cancel, Extremely Fine strike of this very unusual cancel, with 2014 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Rich color and detailed impression, deep blood red 4-ring target cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Juhring and Klein, with 1996 and 2021 P.F. certificates
12c Green (117). Detailed impression, bold strike of red 6-Petal Rosette cancel, stamp with minor faults, Very Fine strike
12c Green (117). Rich color, clear strike of red Baltimore Dot in Circle cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Perfectly centered with extra wide margins all around, clear strike of red Baltimore Four Diamonds cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular stamp, ex Dr. Morris, with 1991 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Deep rich color, choice centering, magenta Crossroads cancel (probably San Francisco origin), small thin spot at top of grill, Extremely Fine appearance, ex Newbury (Part VI, lot 605), with 2005 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Detailed impression, purple Philadelphia 3-bars cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Reconstructed vertical block of six made from stamps that were originally contiguous, rich color, bold strikes of red New York Leaf Supplementary Mail cancels, right center stamp two pulled perfs at left
FINE. A BEAUTIFUL RECONSTRUCTED BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH RED NEW YORK LEAF CANCEL USED ON SUPPLEMENTARY MAIL. THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST ATTRACTIVE USED MULTIPLE OF THIS ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
The largest recorded used multiple is a block of 37 with heavy cancels, followed by a block of 12 which is extensively rejoined. Perhaps two additional larger multiples are known, including a block of eight on cover. This is the only large multiple with a colored cancel.
Ex Consul Klep, Grunin and Ishikawa. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors, bold strike of red Baltimore Four Diamonds cancel, Very Fine and choice, see Sale 819 (lot 2217) for similar cancel on 3c cover, ex Caspary, Haas, Grunin and Wunderlich, with 1980 and 2002 P.F. certificates
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, clear strike of red "PAID" handstamp, additional red and black cancels, Very Fine and choice, a rare cancel on the 15c denomination, ex Juhring, Klein and Renne, with 1988 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Clear grill, well-balanced margins, bold strike of red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate, SCV $1,175
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, bold strike of deep red cork cancel, trace of blue marking at top, Extremely Fine, a very unusual blood red cancel, with 1997 P.F. certificate, SCV $950
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Choice centering, lovely colors, red segmented cork cancel struck at top leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, offered in a Nov. 26, 1956 H. R. Harmer auction of specialized 1869 Pictorials, with 1985 and 2003 P.F. certificates
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, bold strike of brown circle of wedges cancel (the result of a mixture of black and red inks), Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine & Black (122). Wide margins, bright colors, red segmented cork cancel
VERY FINE and choice. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELLED SOLELY IN RED.
The bicolored 1869 Pictorial stamps are very desirable cancelled in red, which almost always indicates the stamp was used on a Supplementary Mail cover. The 90c is rare as such and Scott assigns a $1,000 premium for a red cancel.
Ex Haas, White, Grunin and Renne. With 1985 P.F. certificate.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Choice centering, deep rich colors, red cork cancel
VERY FINE and RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE CANCELLED SOLELY IN RED.
The bicolored 1869 Pictorial stamps are very desirable cancelled in red, which almost always indicates the stamp was used on a Supplementary Mail cover. The 90c is rare as such and Scott assigns a $1,000 premium for a red cancel.
With 1989 P.F. certificate.