Sale 1310 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Dragonfly Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 February, 2024
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78)
American Bank Note Co., 3c Black, Die Essay on India (65-E10). On 28 x 35mm card, separately mounted vignette by Bald, Cousland & Co., denominations and tablets, intense shade, missing "3" at bottom right (as illustrated in Scott Catalogue), tiny corner crease at bottom left is totally immaterial but mentioned for accuracy
VERY FINE. this is THE UNIQUE PASTE-UP ESSAY OF THIS 3-cent 1861 DESIGN, COMBINING LATHEWORK BY AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY AND VIGNETTE BY BALD, COUSLAND & CO.
The lathework frame made by American Bank Note Co. was used with the paste-on cutout of a portrait originally prepared by Bald, Cousland & Co. in competition for the 1851 Issue contract. Bald, Cousland & Co. became part of American Bank Note Company in 1858.
Ex Finkelburg.
American Bank Note Co., 5c Black, Die Essay on India (67-E7). Mounted on 22 x 27mm card, separately mounted vignette by Bald, Cousland & Co., denominations and tablets, intense shade
VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE 5-CENT 1861 DESIGN WITH FRAME PREPARED BY AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. AND VIGNETTE PREPARED BY BALD, COUSLAND AND CO.
This essay for the 5c denomination combines elements from two printers. Bald, Cousland merged with American Bank Note Co. in 1858, and A.B.N. submitted several paste-up designs as models for the 1861 Series contract (see lot 157 in this sale for a 3c example). The "12 & ½ Cents" label at bottom was probably taken from previous work for the Canadian government.
Ex Finkelburg.
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Large Die Proofs on India, "SPECIMEN" Overprint (63SP1/72SP1). Complete set of ten values, 2c Die 1, approximately 42 x 50mm India paper mounted on approximately 100 x 140mm cards, the "SPECIMEN" overprints in vermilion (1c, 2c, 12c, 15c, 90c) or black (3c, 5c, 10c, 24c, 30c), each with "Specimen Postage Stamp from the National Bank Note Company No. 1 Wall Street New York" at bottom of card, these imprints in several different colors, bright and fresh throughout, corner mounting hinges on back
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR COMPLETE SET OF 1861 ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINTS AND NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY IMPRINTS, including the 2-cent black jack die 1.
These proofs originate from a salesman's sample book. Each is rare and this is the only complete set located with Power Search. Scott value more than $9,000.00 as normal proofs (which are more common), and counting the 2c as Die 2.
Ex Drews.
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/78P4). 61 proofs, comprising five singles from each from the five different card proof printings, each printing shows subtle differences in shade (as identified by Falk Finkelburg), including both colors of the 3c (Rose and Scarlet) and both colors of the 24c (Red Lilac and Lilac), also an extra 5c which is much lighter in color, approaching Buff, all have ample to large margins, fresh and bright throughout
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A VERY DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE COMPLETE SET OF 1861 ISSUE CARD PROOFS FROM EACH OF THE FIVE DIFFERENT PRINTINGS.
Ex Finkelburg and Drews. Scott value does not take into account the difficulty of assembling the different printings.
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Specimen Overprint Ty. B (63S-B to 78S-B). Complete set of ten, original gum with some slightly disturbed, typical centering for a few but most have four margins and a few are quite well-centered for these, a couple minor faults but overall Fine-Very Fine and attractive set
1864 "Lincoln Subscription" Campaign Labels. Group of “Cinderellas”, black on surface-colored glazed paper, five of the six values known including 2c, 3c, 5c, 10c and 12c (missing 4c), original gum, h.r., large margins, 3c with light corner crease, 12c with tiny corner crease, overall Very Fine and fascinating group, these were produced by Lincoln supporters to raise funds for his 1864 re-election campaign
1c Indigo, First Design (55). Unused (no gum), intense unmistakable shade of the First Design on bright paper
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 22 UNUSED EXAMPLES ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS, AND ONLY SIX ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND.
Our census of Scott 55, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/55, contains a total of 26 examples. Three have target cancels and one is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library. Of the remaining 22 copies, at least thirteen have faults ranging from serious defects to pulled perfs. This leaves only six confirmed sound copies, of which five have gum.
Census No. 55-UNC-10. Ex Meilstrup and Wingate. With 1979 and 2018 P.F. certificates.
10c Dark Green, Type I (58/62B). Original gum, deep rich color, choice centering with perfs clear of design all around
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN.
The 10c 1861 "First Design" (or Type I from Plate 4) is extremely difficult to find in well-centered, sound, original-gum condition. This is partly due to the narrow spacing on Plate 4, which was used for the earliest printing.
Ex Wingate. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Exceptional depth of color in as true a Pigeon Blood Pink as we have encountered, tied by neat target cancel with "Nashua N.H. Sep. 5, 1861" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Weymouth Mass., Sep. 16, 1861 docketing at top
AN ATTRACTIVE COVER WITH THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE RARE PIGEON BLOOD PINK SHADE—FINE CENTERING WITH COLOR AS RICH AND VIBRANT AS WE HAVE EVER SEEN.
The Pigeon Blood Pink shade, named for the rare ruby, is regarded as the most distinctive and rarest of the Pink shades. Unfortunately, the special bluish-pink tint of the true Pigeon Blood Pink is sensitive to light and other environmental factors. Therefore, examples kept in the dark over many years retain the true Pigeon Blood color, while others have lost it. In terms of color, the stamp on this cover is among the finest we have ever encountered. Stanley B. Ashbrook agreed and signed the cover on December 27, 1951, with the statement "The 3c 1861 on this cover is a gorgeous example of the Pigeon Blood. I doubt if a finer example could be found."
Ex Krug, Gore and Golden. Scott value $5,000 on cover and $4,250 off cover.
5c Buff (67). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful bright shade and impression on fresh paper, a very early printing with fine detail of background and lathework clearly visible
FRESH AND VERY FINE. THE BUFF AND BROWN YELLOW SHADES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE ARE THE EARLIEST PRINTINGS AND THE MOST CHALLENGING TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION — IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES EXIST AS SUCH. THIS STAMP — WITH ITS LIGHTLY HINGED ORIGINAL GUM AND BRILLIANT COLOR — IS AMONG THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The 5c Buff and its shade varieties (Brown Yellow and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major Scott listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
With 2000 P.F. certificate as Buff, Scott 67, but there is enough yellow in this stamp's color, we think the shade is Brown Yellow, Scott 67a.
5c Buff (67). Disturbed part original gum, deep rich color and detailed impression, completely sound
VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF WITH PART DISTURBED ORIGINAL GUM.
The 5c Buff and its shade varieties (Brown Yellow and Olive Yellow) are recognized as being among the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c), but Scott 67 is a major listing and is, therefore, more significant to completion of the series.
With 2024 P.F. certificate. Scott value as no gum $12,500. Scott value as original gum $30,000.
5c Buff (67). Rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Hinrichs and "Natalee Grace", with 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates as Brown Yellow, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate as Buff which we believe is correct (XF 90), only eight grade higher (all at 95)
5c Buff (67). Choice centering with perfs clear of design on all sides, rich color, cancelled by blue circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice
5c Buff (67). Brilliant color and choice centering, light but identifiable strike of red "Supplementary Mail" Type A cancel, reperfed at right, appears Extremely Fine
5c Buff (67). Deep rich color, well-centered, neat strike of red grid cancel, Very Fine and choice
5c Buff (67). Used with 10c Green (68) and 30c Orange (71), tied together by grid cancels on small piece, 5c single nibbed perf at lower left, still Very Fine and colorful
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Vivid color, grid cancel and additional part cancel at bottom (likely French due marking), Very Fine
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Glowing color, light double-circle datestamp cancel, fresh and Very Fine
24c Red Lilac (70). Dark shade and choice centering, Boston large "Paid" grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2001 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
24c Red Lilac (70). Deep color, well-centered, Philadelphia circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Getzin, with 1993 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85)
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color, central strike of Hollow Star fancy cancel, Very Fine
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Radiant color and detailed impression, near perfect centering, bold strike of Shield fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno PS-SD3)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC WITH A FANCY CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2000 A.P.S. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98, neither has a fancy cancel) and seven others share this grade.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Rich true Steel Blue color, wide margins, town cancel and part of red cancel at bottom
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION.
Ex "Clipper City". With 2006 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only three grade higher (at 95).
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Choice centering, rich color nicely complemented by bold blue grid cancels (possibly Cincinnati or Louisville)
EXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
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 "Golden Oak". With 1999 and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Beautiful color, attractive margins and centering, neat target cancel, Very Fine, ex Hutchinson, with 2022 P.F. certificate
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Deep rich color, nicely centered for this tightly spaced issue, grid cancel, Very Fine
90c Blue (72). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, remarkably choice centering, beautiful bright shade on fresh paper, well-formed perforations all around, some reinforced vertical perf separations
extremely fine. The finest known original-gum block of the 90-cent 1861 Issue.
There are approximately ten blocks of the 90c 1861 with original gum that are centered strongly to upper left, have similar dark color, and have malformed perforation holes, the result of the pins failing to fully punch through the thick paper on which these stamps are printed. These 90c blocks undoubtedly came from the same sheet.
This block is unlike that group of off-center blocks. Its distinctive bright shade, precise centering and fully formed perforations are desirable characteristics not found among the other known multiples, except for one that no longer exists as a block. It is found in the Henry B. Close sale (Eugene Costales, 6/23-26/1952, lot 185), and was offered later in the 1969 Rarities of the World sale (Sale 350, lot 76). It has identical centering and color, and we are confident it joined the block offered here in the original sheet. It was divided into singles after its 1969 Rarities sale appearance.
Ex Zoellner and Gross. With 1977 and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value $32,500.
90c Blue (72). Fabulous margins and exceptionally well-centered, lovely color, light multiple strikes of Boston "Paid" grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 90-CENT BLUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills" and "Clipper City". With 2009 P.S.E. (XF-Superb 95) and 2017 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only five grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report.
2c Black (73). Bottom imprint and plate no. 31 block of eight, original gum, detailed impression, attractive margins and centering, some skillfully reinforced perf separations
FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE.
Fourteen full plate blocks are recorded in the Chapin census, but very few have been offered on the market. Including the plate block offered in this sale, Power Search located only three others offered in our auctions since 1994 and all of our Rarities sales. Plate 31 is especially rare, as only three full plate blocks are recorded in the Chapin census.
This block is listed in the Chapin census as number 270, originally known as a plate block of 12 (with pairs adjoining the block of eight at bottom sides). The plate block of 12 appeared in the Siegel 1965 Rarities of the World sale and is shown in the Allen book on page 113. Chapin states that the block was stolen from Allen, and the side pairs were removed before it was recovered.
Ex Allen (illustrated in Lane book on p. 113), Metzger and Faust.
5c Brown (76). Original gum, deep rich color, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN, SCOTT 76.
Scarce with such choice centering.
24c Lilac (78). Rich color, choice centering, large 3-bar segmented grid and red circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, ex Saadi, with 1997 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates
24c Lilac (78). Well-centered with balanced margins, clear strike of circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine, with 2005 A.P.S. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80), SCV $400
24c Lilac (78). Choice centering and fresh color, light circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Wide margins and choice centering, light quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)