Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 3c-5c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 25-30A)
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Radiant color, unusually choice centering, tied by well-struck blue "Friars Point Miss. Jul. 21" circular datestamp on small piece, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)
3c Rose, Ty. I (25). Positions 15/25/35R6, vertical strip of three, perfect centering with outstanding margins for this very tightly spaced issue, rich color, 1857 town cancels, Extremely Fine, a beautiful strip rarely found in this condition, with 2011 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 3-CENT TYPE III, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD.
Ex "Hanover". With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it. This is the only example in this grade we have offered in one of our auctions.
(Image Magnifier)3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Mint N.H., choice centering, showing left frameline double, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher (highest is 98), SMQ value without premium for the variety
(Image Magnifier)3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. III (26). Beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, vivid color, unobtrusive town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect and a wonderful condition rarity, ex Kirke, with 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (latter Superb 98 Jumbo), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
(Image Magnifier)3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Position 7R15 showing triple frameline at left and doubling of frameline at right, well-struck "Strawberry Valley Mass. June 27, 1859" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Four singles, including one with Masonic Triangle fancy cancel of Canton Miss., blue Virginia circular datestamp, numeral "10" and numeral "24" cancels, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, each with 2007-2012 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Block of four, bright color, cancelled by central strike of "Magnolia Md. Oct. 23" circular datestamp, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, an extraordinary used block, with 2014 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)
3c Dull Red, Ty. IV (26A). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1857 TYPE IV IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to any unused example and it is the only example to achieve this grade. The next highest grade is an 85.
(Image Magnifier)3c Dull Red, Ty. IV (26A). With straddle-pane margin at right, bright color, clear strike of "Waldoboro Me. Jul. 9" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)5c Brick Red (27). Beautifully centered with perfs clear of the design at on all sides, vibrant Brick Red color, New Orleans circular datestamp and red transit cancels
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 1857 5-CENT BRICK RED WITH OUTSTANDING COLOR, CENTERING AND AN ATTRACTIVE CANCELLATION.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). Only seven grade higher (highest is 95).
(Image Magnifier)5c Red Brown (28). Exceptionally rich color in a shade that we place on the Indian Red spectrum, bright fresh paper, perfectly centered with perfs well clear of outer projections on all sides, long and full perforations, light strike of circular datestamp leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER.
The deepest shade of Red Brown from the 1858 printing is known as Indian Red. It is found in a short spectrum of color, ranging from a dark purplish shade to a vivid "glowing" orange shade. To be classified as Indian Red, the stamp's impression must be strong throughout, especially in the area of the oval surrounding Jefferson's head. If a stamp possesses anything less than a very deep impression with the characteristic intense red shade, it will fall short of Indian Red, Scott 28A (and that is why Scott 28b was created as "second place"). We would put this stamp—certified as a mere "Red Brown" (Scott 28)—up against many stamps certified as Indian Red.
Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and unusually wide margins, is a true condition rarity.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 98) and five others share this desirable grade. For unused the highest grade is 30.
(Image Magnifier)5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Essentially perfect centering, outstanding deep rich color in the 1858 shade, fresh paper, New Orleans circular datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT BRIGHT RED BROWN WITH INCREDIBLE DEPTH OF COLOR AND EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING. THIS IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
This stamp is, in our opinion, further evidence that the 1858 5c printing produced the deeper shades of Red Brown, Bright Red Brown and Indian Red (and probably the Brick Red as a mistake in ink mixture).
Ex Kirke. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade.
(Image Magnifier)5c Indian Red (28A). Deep rich Indian Red shade and intense impression, lightly cancelled by circular datestamp, exceptionally choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED. RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1994 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85). Only eight grade higher (seven at 90, one at 95) and two others share this grade. These low population numbers underscore how difficult this is to obtain in such choice condition.
(Image Magnifier)5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, beautiful warm color and crisp impression, unusually choice centering with margins clear all around
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN TYPE II.
With 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90). Only three grade higher (two at 95, one at 95J).
(Image Magnifier)5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE II BROWN 1860 SHADE.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85). Only five grade higher.
(Image Magnifier)5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Choice margins and centering, rich color and detailed impression, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2002 P.F., 1996 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only three grade higher
(Image Magnifier)5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Rich color, light strike of red New York circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)