3c Scarlet (74). Manuscript
"J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in three lines, intense shade and impression,
centered slightly to topFINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET WITH INITIALS AND DATE -- PRESUMED TO BE IN THE HAND OF JAMES MACDONOUGH, ONE OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY FOUNDERS. THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN PERFORATED EXAMPLE.
The story of the 3c Scarlet has been well-documented by 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.
Three examples of the 3c Scarlet exist with the initials and date: one perforated and two imperforate (one of the latter is offered in the following lot). The "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" was probably applied by James Macdonough, one of the National Bank Note Company founders. Although Wagshal offers some convincing evidence dating the Scarlet to 1861, these 1868-dated examples suggest an alternate theory that the Scarlet was produced about the time of the 1868 regular-production grills. The existence of numerous essays and color varieties made in 1867 and 1868, as well as actual changes in the color and paper of stamps produced in 1868, show that National was experimenting with various means to prevent stamp re-use and to improve production efficiency and quality. The Scarlet may related to this effort.
With 1973 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Scarlet, Imperforate
(74a). Enormous bottom left corner sheet margin, other sides large,
manuscript "J.M. Jan. 31, 1868" in three lines, presumed to be in
the hand of James Macdonough, one of the founders of the National Bank Note
Company, the shade and paper are identical to the perfoated example offered
in the preceding lot, creases not readily apparent on faceEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT SCARLET PRINTING -- ONE OF THREE RECORDED WITH THE MANUSCRIPT INITIALS AND DATE.
The other imperforate 3c Scarlet with initials and date was offered in the third Ferrary sale in lot 477. All three initialled and dated 3c Scarlet items are without gum and are identical in shade. It is possible that they originate from an ungummed and partially perforated sheet or pane containing subjects that were individually initialled and dated by Macdonough. (Image)
24c Gray Lilac (78).
Perfectly centered, used with two 2c Red Brown (146), rich color, tied by
quartered cork, "Newark N.J. Feb. 15 3 PM" circular datestamp on 1873 cover
to Moradabad, India, red "New York 24 Feb. 17" credit datestamp and
black New York Foreign Mail Ty. A-15 Geometric cancel struck in
transit tying one 2c and 24c, red London Paid transit, red crayon "1" due
marking, Sea P.O. and receiving backstamps, sealed opening tears (one on
front, most in flap), otherwise Very Fine, the use of a New York Foreign
Mail fancy cancel on a cover originating elsewhere is extremely unusual --
this is regarded by some to be the only example -- signed Van Vlissengen
and illustrated in his NYFM book (Image)