Sale 1315 — The Eugene L. Grace Collection of United States and Confederate States Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 12-14 March, 2024
Category — 1873-88 Bank Note Issues
12c Blackish Violet (162). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Curtis, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
30c Gray Black (165). Choice centering with nicely balanced margins, light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2004 P.F. certificates
90c Rose Carmine (166). Brilliant color, segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Green (184). Two singles with massive Jumbo margins, choice centering, both with Maltese Cross fancy cancels, fresh and Extremely Fine Gems, first is ex Kirke and with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), other with 2009 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
5c Blue (185). Original gum, rich color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
10c Brown, With & Without Secret Mark (187-188). Horizontal pair, left stamp without the secret mark, choice centering, bold duplex cancels, Extremely Fine, a beautiful combination pair, rare in such choice condition, with 1994 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, rich color, detailed impression, bold strike of "9" duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Natalee Grace", with 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Geisler, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
30c Full Black (190). Beautiful wide balance margins, intense shade with unusual unframed grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
30c Full Black (190). Horizontal strip of three, well-centered throughout with wide margins, cancelled by multiple strikes of Philadelphia Pa. oval registry cancel, right stamp also with red crayon at bottom from transit or rating, Very Fine-Extremely Fine and attractive multiple, with 2013 P.F. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates, Scott value as pair and single
5c Yellow Brown (205). Original gum, with bottom plate no. 399 selvage, imperceptibly hinged (appears Mint N.H.), wide margins with truly exceptional centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85)
1c Gray Blue (206). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for Extraordinary Quality, by way of comparison the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is 95
3c Blue Green (207). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)
6c Rose (208). Gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, perfs intact and with significant part of adjoining stamps at sides, brilliant color, neat strikes of Philadelphia oval registry cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Natalee Grace" and Morton, with 1994 and 2012 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color, exceptional centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT DEEP BROWN RED, SCOTT 208a, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Curtis. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is difficult to obtain unused in the higher grades. Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98). The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. examples is one at 95 and then two at 90.
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Horizontal pair, well-centered, deep shade, striking purple "Registered Schenectady N.Y." serrated oval datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1996 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (209). Deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, unobtrusive cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke and Morton, with 1988, 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
10c Brown (209). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely warm color, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1989 and 2002 P.F. certificates
2c Red Brown (210). Mint N.H., bright color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Pale Red Brown, Special Printing (211B). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, rich color, huge margins, Very Fine and choice, an attractive position single, with 1992 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine (212). Mint N.H., brilliant color and paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Green (213). Mint N.H., rich color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
2c Green (213). Jumbo margins on all sides, rich color, light unobtrusive strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Merlin, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
5c Indigo (216). Original gum, single hinge mark, intense shade and impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ)
5c Indigo (216). Neat strike of circular datestamp cancel, gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, lightly hinged, with top part imprint selvage, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Unusually wide margins, rich color, registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for Extraordinary Quality, we are surprised this did not receive a Jumbo designation
90c Purple (218). Horizontal pair, neat duplex cancels, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Block of four, deep rich color, bold strikes of New York registry oval cancels, Very Fine and choice used block, with 1996 P.F. certificate