24c Gray Lilac (37).
Vertical block of 20 with full original gum, rich color and remarkably
bright and fresh, well-centered for a large multiple, small manuscript note
on back shows thru slightly on upper right pair, faint bend in fourth row,
one stamp in same row has small thin spotFINE-VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING 24-CENT 1860 BLOCK -- ONE OF THE LARGEST AND ARGUABLY THE FINEST MULTIPLE EXTANT.
Ex Caspary, Klein (where it realized $26,400 versus $14,500 Scott value in 1989) and Zoellner. Scott Retail for four blocks and two pairs (Image)
24c Gray Lilac (37).
Original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly rich color and proof-like
impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB 24-CENT 1860 STAMP IS AS FRESH AND PRISTINE AS THE DAY IT WAS ISSUED.
Although some quantity of the high-value 1857-61 Issue stamps reached philatelists during the 19th century, the vast majority of these are poorly centered. This stamp from the Hall collection is remarkable for its centering and unusual freshness. (Image)
24c Gray Lilac (37).
Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with extra wide margins at
sides, fresh color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT GRAY LILAC.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Orange (38). Deep rich
color, well-struck green grid cancelVERY FINE AND FRESH. ONE OF THE FEW HIGH-VALUE 1857-61 STAMPS IN EXISTENCE WITH A GENUINE TRUE GREEN CANCELLATION.
Green cancellations were rarely used on the higher denominations of the 1857-61 Issue, because these stamps typically paid foreign-mail rates from large post offices where black, red or blue ink was used. Most 30c stamps that appear to have green cancels actually have blue cancels that blend with the orange color of the stamps to appear green. However, in this case, the cancel is a true intense green color. It is an exceedingly rare item, and we doubt that any finer exists.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
90c Blue (39). Unused (no
gum), deep rich color, beautifully centered with phenomenally wide margins
all around, including top and bottom, Extremely Fine Gem, the ideal stamp
for the collector who prizes centering and margins over gum, with 1999 P.F.
certificate (Image)
90c Blue (39). Rich color,
tied by unusual red circle of diamonds fancy cancel of New Haven
Conn. on small piece with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (26), tiny tears at top of
90c stamp which are mostly masked by the red cancel, 3c stamp few clipped
perfsVERY FINE APPEARANCE AND EXTREMELY RARE USED ON PIECE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE WITH A FANCY CANCEL.
This 90c stamp on piece was the subject of an article by Thomas J. Alexander in Opinions II: Philatelic Expertizing - An Insider's View, published by the Philatelic Foundation in 1984. The cancel is known on a cover from New Haven Conn.
With 1983 P.F. certificate (Image)