24c Violet, Thin Paper
(70c). Original gum, rich color and detailed impression, choice
centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER.
The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60 -- see lot 2104), Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here), Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 70c -- see lot 2126). All four are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. The stamp offered here is remarkable in that the Violet ink retains much of its purplish hue, especially in the darker engraved areas, which is most unusual among unused or original-gum examples.
With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Violet, Thin Paper
(70c). Perfectly centered with wide margins margins, intense Violet
color and proof-like impression, bold blue "Cincinnati O. Aug. 10"
circular datestamp and also part of red foreign transit handstamp at
bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR STAMP IN TERMS OF CENTERING, COLOR, CANCELLATIONS AND OVERALL FRESHNESS.
As noted in the description of lot 2118, there are four basic shades of Violet. This is a variation of Violet known as the "Cincinnati Violet", an extraordinarily rich shade with an intense purplish hue. Combined with the blue and red cancellations, the shade of this stamp and its superb overall condition make this one of the most attractive examples of the 24c 1861 we have encountered.
With 1985 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Orange (71). Intense
color, used with 3c Rose (65) and 24c Lilac (78) and cancelled by
Negative Star fancy cancels, red "New-Haven Ct. Mar. 17"
double-circle datestamp on cover to Shanghai, China, 1863 London
transit ties 24c stamp, endorsed "Via Marseilles" and with red "52"
credit handstamp, Boston (Mar. 18), Hong Kong (May 20) and receiving (May
25) backstamps, fresh and Very Fine, a beautiful combination of stamps,
cancel and usage (Image)
90c Blue, Imperforate (72
var). Large margins all around, trace of manuscript at lower left (much
less than on other known examples), Extremely Fine, a particularly choice
example of the 90c 1861 Imperforate, of which only a few are known, ex
Brazer (realized $1,000), with 1999 P.F. certificate
(Image)
2c Black (73). Block of
eight, original gum, most stamps lightly hinged, sharp proof-like
impression, faint diagonal crease affects two stamps at bottom right, few
sensibly reinforced perf separations at top leftVERY FINE BLOCK OF THE 1862 2-CENT BLACK JACK.
Scott Retail as two blocks of four (Image)
3c Scarlet (74). Original
gum, lightly hinged, bright and fresh, exceptionally choice centering with
long full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS AND WITH ORIGINAL GUM. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. THIS STAMP COMES FROM THE SCOTT GROUP.
The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870's, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval. This unused stamp comes from the Scott supply.
With 1953 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Scarlet (74). Four
neat pen strokes, part of imprint at bottom, intense color, bright
and fresh with long full perforations, unusually wide margins, light
vertical creaseEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST-APPEARING EXAMPLES OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS PEN-MARKED EXAMPLE COMES FROM THE ROTHFUCHS GROUP OF 1893.
Please refer to the previous description for a history of the supply of the 3c Scarlet. (Image)
24c Lilac (78). Bright
color and choice centering, tied by cogwheel, "San Francisco Cal. Feb. 12"
double-circle datestamp on 1866 mourning cover to England, bold
strike of blue "Post Office Paid Victoria Vancouver Island" oval
handstamp, red "New York Am. Pkt. 3 Mar. 10" credit datestamp, red London
transit datestamp, piano and music store handstamp on back, light vertical
file fold away from stamp, Extremely Fine, scarce usage and a beautiful
stamp (Image)
24c Blackish Violet
(78c). Intense color, neat strike of target cancel, three
well-proportioned margins, extra wide margin at topVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THIS SCARCE SHADE.
A rare stamp in sound and choice condition. With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)