Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Perfectly centered with even margins, light cancel, sharp impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN UNUSUALLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
The 30c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is normally seen with small margins, or is off-center. If one finds a centered copy, it more often than not turns out to have a small flaw. The stamp offered here is truly the exception to the rule.
Ex Gorham. With 1995, 2005 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. in any category is a 90.
6c Carmine (148). Rich color, tied by quartered cork cancel, "Brooklyn N.Y. Oct. 7" (1870) circular datestamp on tissue-paper cover with elaborate hand-drawn illustration of a concert hall with an orchestra and conductor and audience members, a clown at right holds the address panel to Glasgow, Scotland, red New York transit at upper right, unobtrusive strike of Liverpool circular datestamp at upper left, Glasgow receiving backstamp, few small edge flaws as often associated with this fragile paper and missing part of top flap, stamp trimmed at right prior to use and tied by the elaborate design of the curtain
VERY FINE. A TRULY AMAZING MULTICOLORED HAND-DRAWN DESIGN OF AN ELABORATE CONCERT HALL, WITH LINCOLN TAKING CENTER STAGE, AND SENT TO SCOTLAND. A REMARKABLE WORK OF ART.
The more one looks, the more subtle details emerge, such as the patriotic eagle design above the stage. Is that someone with a gun by the balcony at far left, or is it a flag? This is a contender for one of our favorite hand-drawn designs.
90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of four, original gum, bright color and attractive centering
FINE-VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Most blocks of the 90c 1873 Issue with original gum have been broken to feed collector demand for singles.
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, full perfs without the usual scissors-separation, bright color
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 171, at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/171, contains 80 examples, with 78 available to collectors. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
Census no. 171-UNC-24. With 2013 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75). The P.S.E. grade of 75 is impossible to reconcile with the choice centering and fully formed perforations of this example—best to ignore it.
2c Vermilion (183). Complete right pane of 100, with top and bottom "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY" imprint and "No. 392" plate number, full selvage at right, original gum, most stamps are Mint N.H. including the top plate block of ten, left column with h.r. slivers along edge for sensible perf separation reinforcement, similar h.r. slivers along ungummed selvage at top and bottom, mix of centering with largely Fine-Very Fine, the top right corner margin single is a superb Jumbo, some perf separations and one stamp tiny thin spot
THE ONLY RECORDED COMPLETE PANE OF 100 OF THE 1879 2-CENT VERMILION AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. A GREAT BANK NOTE ISSUE RARITY.
There are eight plate blocks of Scott 183 recorded in the Chapin census. Among these there are only three recorded top plate blocks, including this Mint N.H. example in the unique pane of 100. The Wampler collection contained a bottom plate block from Plate 391, which was not included in the Chapin census, bringing the total count to nine plate blocks with three known from the top position.
Ex Col. Green and from our 1974 Rarities sale. Scott value as two hinged plate blocks (unpriced Mint N.H.) and Mint N.H. singles is approximately $37,000.
90c Dull Carmine, Special Printing (202). Without gum as issued, bright color, three extra wide margins
FRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 90-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 41 EXAMPLES ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census of Scott 202, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/202, contains 43 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library and one in the Luff reference collection at The Philatelic Foundation, leaving 41 available to collectors. Most of the sound examples are centered to the right.
Census no. 202-UNC-09. With 1953 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
90c Dull Carmine, Special Printing (202). Without gum as issued, perfs trimmed off at top, bright color, trivial natural inclusion in left margin
FINE. 43 EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTINGS ARE listed in our census and ONLY 41 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census of Scott 202, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/202, contains 43 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library and one in the Luff reference collection at The Philatelic Foundation, leaving 41 available to collectors. The 90c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is notorious for its condition. Thins or more serious faults affect about half of the known examples. Most of the sound examples are centered to the right, as is this stamp.
Census no. 202-UNC-41. With 1973 P.F. certificate.
4c Blue Green (211). Bottom imprint and plate no. 544 block of ten, original gum, h.r. on most stamps, deep rich color and well-centered, some perf separations including in selvage at bottom right, pos. 4 thin spot and a couple other small thins
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN AT LEAST 30 YEARS.
Incredibly, this is the only original-gum plate block of Scott 211 we have offered since at least 1993 and in our Rarities sales since 1964. We offered a regummed top plate block most recently in our Sale 1227 (lot 3024, realized $8,500 hammer). The W. Parsons Todd collection contained a bottom plate block of 18. The Scott value for this is low considering the price the regummed plate block realized.
ADDENDA -- pos. 4 thin spot and a couple other small thins
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, lightly hinged, mathematically perfect centering with deep rich color, bright and fresh in every respect
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WITH THE PEREFCT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100—THE ONLY SCOTT 217 IN ANY CONDITION TO ACHIEVE THIS TOP GRADE.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100). This is the only Scott 217 in any condition with this perfect grade.
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 288 and letter "D" block of 14, brilliant color, choice centering throughout, some perf separations in ungummed selvage
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF 14 OF THE ONE-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
Using Power Search to review the Mint N.H. plate blocks of Scott 219 offered in our auctions over the past 30 years reveals an astonishing statistic—this is the only Mint N.H. top position plate block among the approximately 15 blocks we have sold. Every other Mint N.H. example was from the bottom position.
3c Purple (221). Mint N.H. full top imprint and plate no. 72 block of twelve, gorgeous color and outstanding centering throughout
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. PROBABLY THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED FULL TOP PLATE BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 3-CENT 1890 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
This is the only Mint N.H. top plate block of twelve listed in Power Search and it would be hard to imagine it being improved upon. Scott value as plate block of ten plus two singles.
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 47 and letter "I" block of ten, rich color and proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
A Power Search review reveals the rarity of this issue as a Mint N.H. plate block. Since this example was last offered in our 2009 Rarities sale, we have offered only one other, also a top but with much less choice centering.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate.
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, deep rich color on crisp paper, bright and fresh
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1890 ISSUE. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
With 1993 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). Only three examples grade higher and three share this lofty grade.
90c Orange (229). Mint N.H. with top right corner sheet selvage, brilliant color, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, hint of oxidation on framelines not noted on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR CORNER SELVAGE COPY OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
Ex Whitman. With 1997 P.F. certificate.