Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2018 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Mint N.H., nicely balanced margins, deep rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate for L-shaped block of three, this the bottom right stamp, Scott value as hinged
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, h.r., Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate for a block of four
5c Brown, First Design (57). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color and detailed impression, small closed tear at top right is barely noticeable, single perf crease at top right not mentioned on accompanying certificate
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 37 EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN.
Our census of Scott 57, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/57, contains a total of 37 copies of this rarity. Of these, one is in The New York Public Library collection. Of the 36 thought to be available to collectors, two are cancelled, 19 have no gum, five have part original gum and ten have full (or nearly full) original gum. Only two of the full or part original gum copies are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 57-OG-27. Ex Drews. With 1993 P.F. certificate.
30c Red Orange, First Color (61). Slightly disturbed original gum according to new certificate (was previously called regummed on older certificate), h.r., vibrant color, small corner crease at bottom right, a previously mentioned tiny thin spot at top right is also not noted on new certificate
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 30-CENT 1861 FIRST COLOR. ONLY 33 ARE CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS, OF WHICH 32 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census of Scott 61, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/61 , contains a total of 33 examples, including one in the Miller collection at 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.
Census no. 61-UNC-29. Ex Drews. 1993 P.F. certificate (275260) stating regummed no longer accompanies. With 2019 P.F. certificate stating "slightly disturbed original gum and a small corner crease at bottom right"
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Well-centered with rich color, neat grid of dots cancel, tiny tear at bottom, appears Very Fine
1c Blue (63). Mint N.H., bright color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, Scott value as hinged
1c Blue (63). Bright color, full and clear strike of "Union" and Flag fancy cancel of Healdsburg Cal., couple slightly short perfs at bottom are immaterial as the strike is Extremely Fine, with 1981 A.P.S. certificate
1c Blue (63). Unusually wide margins, detailed impression, light strike of red New York City carrier circular datestamp with 1c integral rate, Extremely Fine, ex Gorham, with 1991 P.F. certificate
1c Dark Blue (63b). Deep rich color, choice centering, grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), only three examples grade higher
3c Pink (64). Extraordinarily well-centered, incredible depth of color and almost enough bluish tint to qualify it as a Pigeon Blood Pink shade, unobtrusive 6-ring target cancel
EXTREMELY FINE 3-CENT 1861 PINK WITH INTENSE COLOR.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90).
3c Dark Carmine, Trial Color Plate Proof on Gummed Stamp Paper, Imperforate (65P5). Original gum, large top right corner margins, intense color, faults including small hole in right stamp, sealed tear in left stamp and creases, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate as Brazer 65TC-Aa, Dark Carmine on white paper, Scott value as 65P5 Rose shade
3c Bright Rose (65 var). Vivid color in a shade reminiscent of Pink, choice centering and margins, neat double-circle datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
3c "Indian Red" (65 var). Gorgeous warm shade that is very distinct from any other, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, bold strike of large rimless grid cancel of New York
EXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL SHADE VARIETY OF THE 3-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE AT THE DARKER END OF THE COLOR SPECTRUM.
Ex "Natalee Grace" and Gorham. With pencil notation on back by Stanley B. Ashbrook "Indian Red A20" and signed by him. Also accompanied by 1974 letter from Bert Christian stating his opinion that this was Ashbrook's reference copy. He also states "You have a very good shade and it is probably very scarce. I have many copies but cannot match it." With 1974 and 2012 P.F. certificates stating that "It is genuine (shade designated Indian Red by Stanley B. Ashbrook)." This shade is newly listed in Scott
3c Lake (66). Original gum, gorgeous color in the unmistakable Lake color, Fine, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate as the Scott 66TC6 listing
5c Buff (67). Radiant color nicely complemented by blue Baltimore Md. circular datestamp, outstanding centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF STAMP IN TERMS OF COLOR, CENTERING, PERFORATIONS AND CANCELLATION. THIS STAMP, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
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 its choice centering, fresh color and neat blue Baltimore cancel is a condition rarity.
With 1999 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 67 in any condition category, and it is shared by only seven others.
5c Buff (67). Rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of grid cancel, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE BUFF COLOR. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
There has been some confusion in nomenclature over the years with regard to the shades of the 1861 5c stamps. The three main shades are Buff (67), Brown Yellow (67a) and Olive Yellow (67b). The Buff is the darkest of the three; the Brown Yellow shows strong hints of Yellow; the Olive Yellow is the most distinct and rarest of the three, with strong Olive undertones.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs and "Natalee Grace." With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates as Brown Yellow. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate as Buff (XF 90). Only eight grade higher (all at 95).
12c Black (69). Nicely balanced margins, neat grid cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
12c Black (69). Crisp impression on bright paper, well-struck segmented cork cancel, wide margins, Extremely Fine, ex Gorham, with 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates, accompanied by additional used 10c Green (68), Very Fine
12c Black (69). Wide margins and choice centering, unobtrusive grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color, choice centering, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Gorham, with 1991 and 2003 P.F. certificates
24c Steel Blue (70b). Incredibly rich color in the unmistakably true Steel Blue shade, very well-centered, perfectly struck red grid cancel seems to "float" above the stamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 STEEL BLUE COMBINING THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CENTERING, COLOR AND CANCELLATION.
Ex Mayer, "Scarsdale" and Gorham. With 1983, 2003 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. to this iconic 24c shade. By way of comparison, XF-Superb 95 is also the highest grade in the P.S.E. Population Report (three examples).
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering with wide margins on all sides, well-struck large Boston "Paid" grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT IN THE VIOLET SHADE ON THIN PAPER, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c — the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c).
Ex "Scarsdale", Kirke and Morton. With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others.
90c Blue (72). Block of four, original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, top right stamp light diagonal bend not noted on certificate
FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE.
Fewer than ten blocks of four are recorded. Most tend to be centered to left. A block of eight was offered in the Caspary sale, with similar centering, and this may have come from the same sheet.
Ex Hall. 1983 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. Scott value $32,500.
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, strong vibrant color, better centering than normally seen on this issue, single slightly short perf at top right mentioned for accuracy
VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, 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.
With 1962 P.F. certificate.
3c Scarlet (74). Four pen strokes, vibrant color, horizontal crease at bottom
VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, 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.
3c Scarlet (74). Four neat pen strokes, strong vibrant color, two small thin spots at top
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE VERY SCARCE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING.
As has been documented by Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of Chronicle articles (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62), Carl F. Rothfuchs, a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, 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.
With 2022 P.S.E. certificate as the Scott 74TC6 listing.
5c Red Brown (75). Wonderful warm color, neat strikes of target cancel, far better centering than normally seen with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1862 5-CENT RED BROWN.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report.
15c Black (77). Choice centering with Jumbo margins, detailed impression on bright paper, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo)