The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps continued...

VERY FINE CENTERING. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 23 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.

Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/55/55.htm) contains a total of 24 examples of this stamp. Of these 24, one is in the New York Public Library collection and two are cancelled. Of the remaining 21 copies, approximately half are defective to some extent. The example offered here, with a minor pulled perforation at upper left, is a most desirable example of this rarity.

Census No. 55-UNC-19. With 1969 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the perforation flaw. (Image)

FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY SIXTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM, AND ONE OF ONLY NINE WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.

Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/57/57.htm) lists a total of 35 copies of Scott 55, including two cancelled and one sound original-gum copy in the New York Public Library collection. Of the sixteen original-gum copies available to collectors, seven have only part original gum. Of the nine copies available with full original gum, none are completely sound. Four have small perf defects, one is reperfed at right, one is repaired, one has unspecified faults (ex Caspary), and two have small closed tears.

Census No. 57-OG-20. With copy of 1948 and with 1969 P.F. certificates describing the stamp as sound. With 2001 P.F. certificate describing a small closed tear at top right center. (Image)

VERY FINE. A RARE AND REMARKABLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN.

The 10c 1861 "First Design" (or Type I from Plate 4) is extremely difficult to find in well-centered, sound, original-gum condition, This is partly due to the narrow spacing on Plate 4, which was used for the earliest printing.

With 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT DARK VIOLET EARLY TRIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE 24-CENT 1861-63 ISSUE SHADES.

The Dark Violet trial printing and Violet regular issue shades are often confused, and the Scott Catalogue adds to the confusion by putting the Dark Violet (the old Scott 60) in the Trial Color Proofs section as 70TCe, while the Violet gets a front seat as Scott 70c. In our opinion, there is no good reason to relegate the Dark Violet to the Trial Color Proof section. As a result, the stamp offered here is undercatalogued in relation to other 24c stamps of equal rarity. For example, Scott 70c has a value of $35,000.00 versus Scott 70TCe at $8,000.00.

Ex Zoellner and Silver Lake. With 1975 and 1998 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as 70TCe (Image)

VERY FINE. THE 3-CENT 1861 PINK IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Examples of the 1861 3c Pink with original gum are almost invariably creased and/or toned. This stamp is a rare exception.

With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING WITH UNCOMMONLY WIDE MARGINS. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 BROWN YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH ANY DECENT DEGREE OF CENTERING. A GREAT RARITY.

The 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original-gum condition. We have offered less than a dozen unused examples in any condition since keeping computerized records.

With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE WITH DOUBLE TRANSFER. AN EXTREMELY SCARCE STAMP IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE.

The increased awareness of the rarity of 1847 to 1879 issues in superb original-gum condition has elevated many valuations for issues with modest Scott values. The 1861-66 issues are prime examples of this trend. This 10c 1861 has a Scott value of $1,250.00, yet one would be severely challenged to locate more than a few examples with original gum, choice centering and rich color.

With 1994 P.F. certificate (not noting double transfer). Scott Retail as normal (Image)