Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue and Re-Issue
1c Buff (112). Block of 16 in 4x4 format, unused (no gum), somewhat extensive perf separations reinforced by hinges, straight edge at left, Fine-Very Fine and rare multiple which is one of the largest blocks we have encountered, Scott value as four original-gum blocks is $22,000, Scott value as 16 no-gum singles
1c Buff (112). Block of six, original gum, four stamps h.r., rich color, positions 2 and 3 affected by light diagonal crease, Fine appearance, ex Petersen and from our 1997 Rarities sale, Scott value $6,750 as block of four and pair
1c Buff (112). Horizontal block of six, centered to right, neat manuscript "X" cancels, few minor perf separations, about Fine, a scarce used block of six, also includes two used pairs and a strip of three, the pairs pen and cork cancels respectively, the strip blue cork cancels, couple small flaws, Very Good-Fine, Scott value as all handstamp cancels
1c Buff, Colored Cancel Study (112). 20 stamps with colored cancels, including one in green, seven in red and twelve in blue, nice variety within the colors including star, targets, circular datestamps, etc., a few small flaws but overall an attractive and desirable group
1c Buff, Black Cancel Study (112). Group of 30 stamps, range of cancels including crossroads, grids, targets, leaves, various geometrics, a few faults may be encountered, overall Fine and attractive group
1c Buff, 1c Buff, 1880 Re-Issue (112, 133). No. 112 Mint N.H., Very Good, No. 133 bold duplex cancel, Fine, Jakubek backstamps, Scott value counting first as hinged
1c-10c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Japan Cancellations (112-114, 116). Eight stamps including two 1c, one 2c and 3c and three 10c with "HIOGO JAPAN" double-circle handstamp, additional 10c with Yokohama "X" chop, centering varies, minor faults, mostly complete and clear strikes with Fine-Very Fine appearance, a scarce group, especially the lower values, ex "Magnolia", Scott value exceeds $4,300
1c Buff, Without Grill (112b). Large part original gum which covers about 3/4 of the back, centered to right
FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITHOUT GRILL. PROBABLY FEWER THAN TEN ARE KNOWN.
With 1996 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value $32,500.
2c Brown (113). Block of four with bottom imprint selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, few minor perf separations, Fine-Very Fine and attractive full imprint block, ex Dr. Heimburger and "Vaquero", Scott value $3,750 without premium for the imprint position
2c Brown (113). Deep rich color on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), we are unsure if this would meet the same grade with today's standards but it is a great stamp
2c Brown, Without Grill (113b). Original gum, h.r., centered to bottom right
FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
We have offered about a dozen singles, plus a rejoined block of four since 1993. Most examples of this stamp are significantly off center, with perfs in.
Scott value $14,000.
3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (114a). Disturbed original gum, deep rich color, diagonal crease at center, small corner crease at top right, single short perf at bottom not noted on certificate
FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
With 2004 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (114a). Large part disturbed original gum, attractive centering, accompanying certificate notes "lightly stained at bottom" which we have difficulty detecting, Very Fine appearance and rare, with 1998 P.F. certificate, Scott value $13,000
6c Ultramarine (115). Block of twelve in 4x3 format, original gum, lightly hinged, at least one stamp Mint N.H., rich color, vertical crease in third column
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM LARGE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE.
Our records contain only this unused block of twelve, with just two larger — both blocks of sixteen (one ex Zoellner and the other ex Dr. Heimburger). This block was featured in our 1970 Rarities sale.
Scott value $44,500 as two blocks of four and two pairs.
6c Ultramarine (115). Block of four with top selvage, slightly disturbed original gum, fresh color, Very Good, rare multiple, Scott value $16,750
12c Green (117). Block of four, original gum, h.r., deep rich color, expertly rejoined, small toned spot between bottom stamps, Very Good, a scarce original-gum block, very few are known and many are off center, Scott value as intact block $14,000
12c Green (117). Block of four, original gum, h.r., about Fine, Scott value $14,000
12c Green (117). Block of four, unused (no gum), many perf separations rejoined with collodion, left pair tiny stained spots, still a Fine and rare multiple, the Rose book records eight unused blocks of four or larger of the 12c 1869 (though there are a few more than that), this is among the best centered of the group, Scott value as original gum block is $14,000
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Traces of original gum which is redistributed, unusual blue plate scratches at bottom, Fine, scarce in unused condition, Scott value as original gum $9,000
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I, Double Grill (118 var). Disturbed original gum, clear second grill slightly offset and overlapping the first grill, oddly not mentioned on recent P.F. certificate, centered to bottom
FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH DOUBLE GRILL. OUR COMPUTERIZED RECORDS CONTAIN ONLY TWO OTHER EXAMPLES OFFERED IN OUR AUCTIONS.
Power Search contains only two other original-gum examples of the Scott 118 double grill variety. One was offered in our 2016 sale of the Don Price collection and the other in our 2008 and 2010 Rarities sales.
With 1973 A.P.S. certificate as No. 118b (Double Grill, as listed in Scott in 1972). With 2017 P.F. certificate not mentioning the double grill.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors, reperfed at right, Fine appearance, scarce in unused condition
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Bright colors, unusually choice centering, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SCV $900
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I, Without Grill (118a). Disturbed original gum, deep rich colors and detailed impressions
FINE AND SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
Our survey of The Philatelic Foundation records found approximately 25 examples certified as genuine, of which about half have faults.
Ex Schilling. With 1973 P.F. certificate as "o.g".
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, fresh and Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, bold cork cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
24c Green & Violet (120). Part original gum which covers more than half the back, few toned perf tips of little consequence, Very Good, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as original gum $8,000
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (regummed), well-centered., minor scrape top left corner, Very Fine appearance
24c Green & Violet (120). Unused (no gum), bright colors, centered to top, Fine
24c Green & Violet (120). Rich colors and detailed impressions on bright paper, unobtrusive cork cancel, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
24c Green & Violet (120). Horizontal pair, rich colors on bright paper, neat quartered cork cancels, right stamp single short perf at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, otherwise Fine, ex Price, with 1998 P.F. certificate
24c Green & Violet (120). Horizontal pair, bright colors, bold rosette cork cancels, expertly rejoined but not noted as such on accompanying certificate, left stamp pulled perf at top, Fine appearance, ex Price, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as singles
24c Green & Violet, Without Grill (120a). Part original gum which covers less than half the back, but enough to rule out a pressed grill, centered to left, Fine and rare, our informal survey of auction catalogues and the records of The Philatelic Foundation produced approximately 24 copies, many have part original gum or disturbed original gum, and over half have faults, with 1995 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as original gum (the only way it is priced) is $10,000
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Original gum, centered to top right, Fine, with 1973 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright color, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2001 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, light cancels, fresh colors on bright white paper, top pair couple tiny internal creases only visible in fluid, bottom left stamp with a reattached or replaced perf at left, Extremely Fine appearance and unusual with choice centering and a light cancel
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Block of four, typical indistinct cork cancel, also red cancel, reperfed at top, appears Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Original gum, h.r., deep rich colors, wide margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.
With the reclassification of certain copies of Scott 121a as the 30c 1869 double-paper essay, the rarity of stamps that will receive current certificates as Scott 121a has increased significantly. This stamp shows the sharper impression of Scott 121a on normal paper.
Ex Waterhouse and from our 1979 Rarities sale.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Without Grill (121a). Unused (no gum), bright colors, centered to top left but perfs are completely clear, tiny insignificant inclusion speck above eagle's neck, fresh and Fine, a scarce example of the 30c 1869 Pictorial without grill, with clear 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott value $8,000 as original gum
90c Carmine & Black (122). Unused, clumsily regummed which shows throughout the perfs (would be well served with a hot bath), Fine
90c Carmine & Black (122). Unused (no gum), unusual vignette shift strongly to left, faults including repaired, otherwise Fine, the 90c 1869 Pictorial was printed rather carefully and few examples show a significant vignette shift, Scott value $4,000 as unused normal stamp
90c Carmine & Black (122). Vivid frame color, choice centering with balanced margins, segmented cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Scott value $2,000.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, bold strike of cork cancel, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine, with 1984, 2004 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
90c Carmine & Black, Without Grill (122a). Original gum, bright colors, tiny corner crease at top left, accompanying certificate also states "three perfs at right top repunched"
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL. ONLY 26 EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1998 P.F. certificate.
3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Original gum, lightly hinged, fresh color, slightly short perf at left, Fine, with clear 1961 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Re-Issue, Imperforate Horizontally (129a). Unused (no gum), deep rich colors, corner crease at lower left, Fine appearing example of this rarity, Jonathan W. Rose, in his book United States Postage Stamps of 1869, stated that only one sheet of 100 was issued without horizontal perforations, all were cut into singles by a clerk in the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office, it is not known how many were sold but many seem to lack gum, the recently published census of Scott 129a by Andrew Morrison records 40 in total (two used), including one in the Miller Collection at The New York Public Library, Census no. 129a-UNC-30, ex Wunsch, 1965 P.F. certificate declining opinion no longer accompanies, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate
24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (130). Rich colors, well-centered, clear strike of New York registry oval cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Ex Saadi. With 1989 and 2018 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (132). Unused (regummed), rich colors, Very Fine
1c Buff, 1880 Re-Issue (133). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, Very Fine and attractive block