Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

2005 Rarities of the World, Part One continued...

**1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 117 to 119)**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Est/Cat	Realized
207		12c Green (117). Block of four, original gum, rich color, typical centering for blocks of this issue, few small faults FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PCITORIAL ISSUE. The Rose book notes eight unused blocks, including off-center blocks of twelve and nine, three blocks of six and two blocks of four. All of the blocks of six or larger are off center. (Image)	13,000.00	3,750.00
208		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Original gum, lightly hinged, nearly perfect centering with wide margins, bright colors, strong grill impression EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 15-CENT 1869 TYPE I IS VERY RARE IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A SPECTACULAR STAMP AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN. The 15c Type I comes from the first 1869 printing, in May 1869 the 15c went to press using the second frame plate, which produced Type II. In a condition census, both Type I and II would show similar numbers known in the top tier of original-gum condition -- probably 8 to 10 of each. However, Type I is generally a rarer stamp and carries a much higher Scott Catalogue value. Very few of this quality have been offered in years, and we anticipate vigorous competition. With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)	8,250.00	15,000.00
209		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Rich colors, used with 30c Orange, F. Grill (100), tied by small circle of wedges cancels and "New Orleans La. Apr. 12" circular datestamp on blue 1869 folded letter to Bordeaux, France, red "New York 36 Apr. 17" credit circular datestamp also ties stamps, red octagonal "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 3 17 Avril 69" transit datestamp and boxed "PD" handstamp, French transit backstamps VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE TRIPLE-RATE USAGE COMBINING THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL WITH 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. This is a very early usage of the 15c stamp (edu March 31 off-cover and April 2 on cover). Only one other combination franking of its kind is recorded. (Image)	E. 7,500-10,000	7,000.00
210		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Block of six, original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, few faults incl. horizontal crease affecting top stamps FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. Multiples larger than blocks of four are scarce. Scott Retail as block of four and a pair. (Image)	27,000.00	5,000.00
211		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, used with two 2c Brown (113) and tied by red cork cancels, matching "Baltimore Md. Jan. 17" circular datestamp on mourning cover to Rome, Italy, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jan. 19" (1870) circular datestamp, stamps also tied by red "Verviers Coeln Franco" and "PD" handstamps, red "4" credit, blue crayon "f 1-1/2" VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MOURNING COVER WITH 1869 PICTORIAL STAMPS PAYING THE 19-CENT RATE TO ITALY VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAILS. VERY FEW HIGH-DENOMINATION 1869 PICTORIAL COVERS EXIST WITH STAMPS CANCELLED IN RED. Ex LeBow and Lafayette. With 1981 and 2003 P.F. certificates. (Image)	E. 5,000-7,500	8,000.00
212		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, used with 2c Brown (113) and 6c Ultramarine (115), each with wide natural s.e., tied by dark red grid cancels, matching "New York Registered Aug. 21" circular datestamp on 1869 folded cover to Naples, Italy, sender's blue oval datestamp, clear strikes of Milan transit and receiving backstamps VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE THREE-COLOR 1869 PICTORIAL FRANKING ON A REGISTERED-MAIL COVER FROM NEW YORK TO ITALY. IN OUR OPINION, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL 1869 COVERS EXTANT. International registered usages during the 1869 Pictorial period are very rare. This cover was correectly prepaid for the 15c Italian Closed Mail rate and 8c registry fee. Ex Gibson, LeBow and Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate. (Image)	E. 7,500-10,000	16,500.00
213		15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors, used with 3c Ultramarine (114) and 10c Yellow (116), tied by crossroads cancels on folded invoice to Cadiz, Spain, blue April 8, 1870 company handstamp, faint strike of red New York exchange office backstamp, London transit, endorsed "Donau" and carried by that North German Lloyd steamer which departed New York on April 9 and arrived in Southampton on April 19, red "24" credit, 10c negligible corner crease at top left, 15c tiny corner crease at top right and few toned perf tips from gum FRESH AND VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL THREE-COLOR DOUBLE-RATE FRANKING TO SPAIN FROM THE GOMEZ CORRESPONDENCE. Ex Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate. (Image)	E. 7,500-10,000	12,000.00

1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 117 to 119)

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Est/Cat

Realized

207

12c Green (117). Block of four, original gum, rich color, typical centering for blocks of this issue, few small faults

FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PCITORIAL ISSUE.

The Rose book notes eight unused blocks, including off-center blocks of twelve and nine, three blocks of six and two blocks of four. All of the blocks of six or larger are off center. (Image)

13,000.00

3,750.00

208

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Original gum, lightly hinged, nearly perfect centering with wide margins, bright colors, strong grill impression

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 15-CENT 1869 TYPE I IS VERY RARE IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. A SPECTACULAR STAMP AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN.

The 15c Type I comes from the first 1869 printing, in May 1869 the 15c went to press using the second frame plate, which produced Type II. In a condition census, both Type I and II would show similar numbers known in the top tier of original-gum condition -- probably 8 to 10 of each. However, Type I is generally a rarer stamp and carries a much higher Scott Catalogue value. Very few of this quality have been offered in years, and we anticipate vigorous competition.

With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

8,250.00

15,000.00

209

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Rich colors, used with 30c Orange, F. Grill (100), tied by small circle of wedges cancels and "New Orleans La. Apr. 12" circular datestamp on blue 1869 folded letter to Bordeaux, France, red "New York 36 Apr. 17" credit circular datestamp also ties stamps, red octagonal "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 3 17 Avril 69" transit datestamp and boxed "PD" handstamp, French transit backstamps

VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE TRIPLE-RATE USAGE COMBINING THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL WITH 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.

This is a very early usage of the 15c stamp (edu March 31 off-cover and April 2 on cover). Only one other combination franking of its kind is recorded. (Image)

E. 7,500-10,000

7,000.00

210

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Block of six, original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, few faults incl. horizontal crease affecting top stamps

FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.

Multiples larger than blocks of four are scarce. Scott Retail as block of four and a pair. (Image)

27,000.00

5,000.00

211

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, used with two 2c Brown (113) and tied by red cork cancels, matching "Baltimore Md. Jan. 17" circular datestamp on mourning cover to Rome, Italy, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jan. 19" (1870) circular datestamp, stamps also tied by red "Verviers Coeln Franco" and "PD" handstamps, red "4" credit, blue crayon "f 1-1/2"

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MOURNING COVER WITH 1869 PICTORIAL STAMPS PAYING THE 19-CENT RATE TO ITALY VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAILS. VERY FEW HIGH-DENOMINATION 1869 PICTORIAL COVERS EXIST WITH STAMPS CANCELLED IN RED.

Ex LeBow and Lafayette. With 1981 and 2003 P.F. certificates. (Image)

E. 5,000-7,500

8,000.00

212

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, used with 2c Brown (113) and 6c Ultramarine (115), each with wide natural s.e., tied by dark red grid cancels, matching "New York Registered Aug. 21" circular datestamp on 1869 folded cover to Naples, Italy, sender's blue oval datestamp, clear strikes of Milan transit and receiving backstamps

VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE THREE-COLOR 1869 PICTORIAL FRANKING ON A REGISTERED-MAIL COVER FROM NEW YORK TO ITALY. IN OUR OPINION, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL 1869 COVERS EXTANT.

International registered usages during the 1869 Pictorial period are very rare. This cover was correectly prepaid for the 15c Italian Closed Mail rate and 8c registry fee.

Ex Gibson, LeBow and Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate. (Image)

E. 7,500-10,000

16,500.00

213

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Deep rich colors, used with 3c Ultramarine (114) and 10c Yellow (116), tied by crossroads cancels on folded invoice to Cadiz, Spain, blue April 8, 1870 company handstamp, faint strike of red New York exchange office backstamp, London transit, endorsed "Donau" and carried by that North German Lloyd steamer which departed New York on April 9 and arrived in Southampton on April 19, red "24" credit, 10c negligible corner crease at top left, 15c tiny corner crease at top right and few toned perf tips from gum

FRESH AND VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL THREE-COLOR DOUBLE-RATE FRANKING TO SPAIN FROM THE GOMEZ CORRESPONDENCE.

Ex Lafayette. With 2003 P.F. certificate. (Image)

E. 7,500-10,000

12,000.00