1851 1c Blue, Type II, with ample to large margins, rich color, neatly-cancelled in manuscript on large all-over front and back Valentine's cover, approximately 200x135mm, attractive and ornate bronze-colored bird and floral motif, attractive and very fine. (Sc. 7) (Image)

Est. $150-200

1857 1c Blue Type II Plate 4, scissor separated single, position 7L4, showing vertical plate cracks at left, tied by Boston 20FEB c.d.s. to folded letter with printed banking notice, to New Bedford, Massachusetts, a scarce usage; with 2012 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Sc. 23, $1,100) (Image)

Est. $400-500

1859 5c Brown,Type I, bright color, unobtrusive small part circular datestamp at top, well-centered for this challenging and notoriously tightly-spaced issue, very fine; with 1993 P.F. certificate (Sc. 29, $350) (Image)

Est. $200-300

1859 5c Brown, Type I, bright color, neat partial black and red postmarks, well-centered for this challenging issue, pencil signed on back, fine-very fine. (Sc 29, $350) (Image)

Est. $100-150

1861 5c Deep Orange Brown, Type II, used, bold black grid cancel, good centering, a few negligible shorter perforations at right, fine; with 2020 P.F. certificate. (Sc. 30, $1,300) (Image)

Est. $300-400

1860 24c Grey Lilac, pleasing deep shade, partial black "San Francisco" circular datestamp and trace of red "9" cancellation at left, well-centered for these challenging stamps, very fine; with 1998 P.S.E. certificate. (Sc. 37, $375) (Image)

Est. $200-300