Sale 1328 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 23-25 July, 2024
Category — 1861-66 Issue
5c Brown, First Design (57). Small part original gum which thinly covers about half the back but called "traces" on P.F. certificate, deep rich color, short perf at bottom and added (or reattached) perf at upper left
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 37 ARE RECORDED IN THE SIEGEL CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 57, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/57, contains a total of 37 copies of this rarity. Of these, one is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library. Of the 36 available to collectors, two are cancelled, 19 have no gum, five have part original gum and ten have full (or nearly full) original gum.
Census no. 57-OG-02. Ex Lilly, "Newport", Przybyl, and from our 1973 Rarities sale. 1973 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2008 P.F. certificate.
30c Red Orange, First Color (61). Original gum, unmistakable intense shade of the First Color, hinge-reinforced vertical split (called a "crack" on P.F. certificate), gum soaks in Franklin portrait
FINE APPEARING AND PRESENTABLE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 30-CENT 1861 FIRST COLOR. ONLY 34 ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 61, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/61, contains a total of 34 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 this case has extended to a reinforced vertical split or crack.
Census no. 61-UNC-15. Ex "New Amsterdam." 1951 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2019 P.F. certificate. SCV $40,000.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Original gum, lightly hinged, distinctive dark color of the First Design, centered to right with other three margins balanced
FINE. A RARE SOUND AND LIGHTLY HINGED 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 sound, original-gum condition.
With 2019 P.S.E. certificate.
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Unused (regummed), dark color, tiny perf hole tear at top and reperfed at left, still appears Very Fine, a presentable unused example, with 2024 P.F. certificate, SCV $3,600
1c Blue (63). Original gum, outstanding centering and margins, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), SCV $275
3c Pink (64). Showing stitch watermark, radiant color, unobtrusive strike of blue circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2024 P.F. certificate, Scott value without premium for the stitch watermark
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Brilliant color in the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, nicely complemented by blue Cincinnati duplex cancel, well-balanced margins
VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE 1861 ISSUE.
With 2024 P.F. certificate.
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Vibrant color in the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, neat strike of circular datestamp
VERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST SHADES OF THE 1861 ISSUE.
With 2024 P.F. certificate (VF 80).
3c Rose (65). Wide and mathematically balanced margins, lovely color and impression, struck-on-the-nose red target cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE WHICH HAS RECEIVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM THE P.F.
With 2024 P.F. certificate (Gem 100). Although 3c 1861s are very common, one would have to sift thru many thousands to find the peer of this stamp, and even then the task might be hopeless. We have offered only one other Gem 100 P.F. or P.S.E. graded stamp and interestingly, it has a similar target cancel to this example, though struck in blue (ex Kirke, Sale 1032, lot 3110).
24c Red Lilac (70). Unused, called original gum on accompanying certificate but we believe regummed, reperfed at top also not mentioned on certificate, otherwise Very Fine, with clear 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate (80 ogH), Scott value as no-gum
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color and well-centered, bold target cancel and trace of red cancel in top right corner, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
24c Brown Lilac (70a). Unused (no gum), bright shade, choice centering with well-balanced margins top-to-bottom and side-to-side
EXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 BROWN LILAC.
With 1994 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, a single perf at lower left is mostly detached but was described on a recent certificate as "repaired" (we disagree)
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.
The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen (with or without faults).
With clear 2001 P.F. certificate. 2020 P.S.E. certificate describing the perf as repaired no longer accompanies.
24c Steel Blue (70b). Beautifully balanced margins, lovely color in the distinctive Steel Blue shade, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SCV $865
24c Steel Blue (70b). Choice centering and margins, intense color and impression nicely contrasted by bold red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1997 and 2022 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Original gum, magnificent color, well-centered but reperfed at left
FINE APPEARANCE. the 1861 24-CENT VIOLET IS A RARE UNUSED STAMP IN ANY CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
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). All four are rare, especially in original-gum condition.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate. SCV $35,000.
24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Pretty shade, neat strike of magenta grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, this is the first example we have offered cancelled in magenta since keeping computerized records, the P.F. has certified only one other with a magenta grid, plus one faulty example with a small trace of magenta manuscript, ex Gorham, with 2006 and 2022 P.F. certificates
30c Orange (71). Bright color, choice centering and extra wide margins, beautifully clear strike of New York geometric fancy cancel (Skinner-Eno GE-M23), Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo), SMQ value does not take into account fancy cancels
30c Orange (71). Horizontal pair and single, used with $3.00 Charter Party, Green, Perforated (R85c), all tied by "Youngs Smith & Co. N.Y. Feb. 23, 1866" double-circle datestamp on piece of foreign exchange draft issued at Havana, Cuba for $8,000, manuscript acceptance notation on back, revenue stamp with horizontal crease and small scuff, one 30c stamp with a crease and others with minor wrinkles, Very Fine appearance and a rare use of multiple 30c 1861 issue stamps as revenues — particularly a pair — this was subject to the 1864 tax rate for inland exchange of 5c for each $100.00 or faction thereof; it is either short paid 10c for the $4.00 rate or there was another stamp on the full document, ex Col. Green, with 2006 P.F. certificate
90c Blue (72). Original gum, h.r., deep dark color, reperfed at right, Fine appearance, with 2024 P.F. certificate, SCV $3,000
5c Red Brown (75). Pretty shade, unusually choice centering, unobtrusive cancel at lower left
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1862 RED BROWN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others.
5c Chestnut Brown (75 var). Astonishing fiery red color, well-centered, bold target and part of red cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of this distinct shade which is unlisted in Scott, with 2022 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (76). Original gum, strong color and beautifully balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 5-CENT BROWN.
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 1999, 2007, 2014 and 2020 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). Only two hinged examples grade higher (at 95). SCV $1,400