Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps continued...

5c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 27-39) continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

3088

10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, pretty color and detailed impression, face-free strike of circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 10-CENT TYPE IV 1857 ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

With 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $5,500.00). Only three examples have been graded higher (at 95, including the previous lot) and this is one of only five to achieve this grade (Image)

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2,600.00

SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

3089

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Extra wide margins and essentially perfect centering, lovely bright color, part strike of New York Ocean Mail circular datestamp with integral grid, Extremely Fine Gem, a desirable stamp combining perfect centering with a scarce cancel, with 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $1,400.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others (Image)

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65.00

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

3090

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Wide well-balanced margins, rich color, cancelled by red "New York Paid May 20" exchange office datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $160.00) (Image)

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72.50

SOLD for $140.00
Will close during Public Auction

3091

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Choice centering, deep rich color nicely complemented by blue Wells, Fargo & Co. double-circle datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 1988, 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90) (Image)

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200.00

SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction

3092

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Positions 93-94L2, horizontal pair, left stamp Curl in "E" of "Cents", right stamp Dash in Forehead, rich color, wide margins, grid cancels, Fine-Very Fine pair containing two interesting plate varieties, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as the listed 93L2 variety and normal single (Image)

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155.00

SOLD for $110.00
Will close during Public Auction

3093

12c Black (36). Intense shade and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with perforations clear of design on all sides, face-free strike of blue target cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 1. THIS STAMP IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE WITH SUCH WONDERFUL CENTERING, IMPRESSION AND CANCELLATION.

Ex Drucker, Hinrichs and Dauer. With 1988 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $9,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others have achieved this grade (Image)

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360.00

SOLD for $5,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

3094

12c Black, Plate 3 (36b). Extra wide margins all around with perfs far from framelines, intense shade and impression which clearly shows double transfer at bottom, neat cancels leave design clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1860 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PROMINENT DOUBLE TRANSFER AT BOTTOM.

Ex Floyd and Tahoe. With 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $1,950.00 with no premium for the double transfer). Only one stamp has been graded higher (at 98). Considering the extraordinary margin width -- almost unheard of in this issue -- and the centering and face-free cancel, we consider this a very strong 95, if not a 98. (Image)

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275.00

SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

3095

24c Gray Lilac (37). Precise centering with wide margins, bright color on fresh paper, perfect strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel and trace of red transit

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS ISSUE IS RARELY ENCOUNTERED WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING CENTERING.

The 24c stamps were not printed and put into use until July 1860 (earliest documented use is July 7). The issue was demonetized thirteen months later. The 24c denomination matched the U.S.-G.B. treaty rate, and the stamp was primarily used on letters to England. These circumstances of a short life and limited use, combined with Toppan Carpenter's typically erratic perforating, are the reasons why superb used examples of the 24c 1860 are so difficult to find.

With 1992 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $8,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share this grade. (Image)

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375.00

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

3096

30c Orange (38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, neat strike of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.

The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 high values were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.

With 1984 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $4,750.00). Only two have graded higher (Image)

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450.00

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

3097

90c Blue (39). Gorgeous centering with wide margins all around, deep rich color and sharp impression, bold strike of deep red grid cancel, bottom left corner perf slightly rounded, called "short" on most recent certificate

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE SHORT-LIVED 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE -- THE FIRST UNITED STATES 90-CENT STAMP.

The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies bearing the 90c are scarce. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound. Of these sound examples, many are off-center. This example is a rare and highly desirable exception.

With 2003 and 2005 P.F. certificates which do not mention the short corner perf. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $13,800.00). Only three examples have achieved this grade and only two have graded higher. (Image)

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10,000.00

SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction