1861 "First Design" Plate Proofs on India (55P3-62P3), complete set, fresh colors. Few thins as often on these fragile India Proofs. Otherwise Very Fine.
Scott $2,605 Scott $2,605 (Image)

Scott $2,605

1861, 3¢ brown rose, First Design (56), original gum, well centered, exceptionally fresh. Reperfed at right. Handsome F.-V.F. appearance.
Scott $550 Scott $550 (Image)

Scott $550

1861, 10¢ dark green, First Design (62B), stunning deep color. Bold grid and a bit of red cancels. Reperfed. Otherwise Fine.
Scott $1,700 Scott $1,700 (Image)

Scott $1,700

1861, 3¢ pink (64), four singles and a pair, all original gum never hinged, two with natural straight edge. Lightly toned but good color, varying tendencies to curl just a bit, the pair has a couple negligible perf flaws but the bottom stamp and the two natural straight edge singles are Fine. Not priced never hinged. Single illustrated by itself.
Scott $84,000 as hinged

Expertization: with 2021 P.F. certificate.

As one might imagine, there has to be a story with this most unusual lot. The mint "pinks" were found in a 19th century desk drawer in the little box illustrated here. There they sat for 160 years until just being discovered now. We sent one of the two best singles for certification, and the certificate reads "genuine, never hinged, but lightly toned." Scott $84,000 as hinged (Image)

Scott $84,000 as hinged

1861, 3¢ rose (65), on small piece with 90% of a beautifully struck Lyre cancel of Canton Miss (Skinner and Eno PO-Lh3). Tiny perf faults upper right. Fine.
Estimate 75 - 100 (Image)

1861, 3¢ lake, plate proof on India (66P3), block of four. Stunning color. Minor translucency in one. Very Fine, pretty block.
Scott $850 Scott $850 (Image)

Scott $850

1861, 12¢ black (69), beautifully centered, sharp impression. "star" cancel. Very Fine to Extremely Fine gem.
Scott $95 Scott $95 (Image)

Scott $95

1861, 30¢ orange (71), very well centered for the 30¢. Boston "Paid" and portion of red transit cancel. Very Fine.
Scott $230+ Scott $230+ (Image)

Scott $230+

1861, 90¢ blue (72), attractive centering within wide margins. Tiny corner creases. F.-V.F. appearance.
Scott $600 Scott $600 (Image)

Scott $600

1863, 2¢ black (73), block of four. Unused, maybe a small part disturbed original gum, crisp color. Fine attractive block.
Scott $2,750 as original gum Scott $2,750 as original gum (Image)

Scott $2,750 as original gum

1867, 15¢ black, E. grill (91), large part original gum, average centering, rich color. Few nibbed perfs at bottom. V.G.-Fine, exceedingly rare with original gum.
Scott $12,500

Expertization: with 2020 P.F. certificate. Scott $12,500 (Image)

Scott $12,500

1867, 3¢ red, F. grill, imperf proof on stamp paper (94P5), horizontal pair. Most original gum, large margins. Light gum soaks. Very Fine.
Scott $1,500 Scott $1,500 (Image)

Scott $1,500

1867, 5¢ brown, F. grill (95), quite well centered for the 5¢ grill, beautiful color. "(P)aid" cancel. F.-V.F., scarce this attractive and sound.
Scott $875 Scott $875 (Image)

Scott $875

1867, 12¢ black, F. grill, double transfer of top and bottom frame lines (97 var.), well centered. Black and a bit of red cancels. Very Fine.
Scott $300 Scott $300 (Image)

Scott $300

1867, 15¢ black, F. grill (98), part original gum. Light soiling/toning, possibly a tiny thin but a collectible example of this rare mint stamp.
Scott $4,250 Scott $4,250 (Image)

Scott $4,250

1867, 24¢ gray lilac, F. grill (99), striking red quartered cork cancel, rich color, beautifully centered. Though reperfed at top, tiny thin. Choice, Extremely Fine appearance.
Scott $1,700 Scott $1,700 (Image)

Scott $1,700

1867, 30¢ orange, F. grill (100), large part original gum, attractive centering for the 30¢ bright rich color. Fine, rare in sound mint condition.
Scott $9,000

Expertization: with 2020 P.F. certificate. Scott $9,000 (Image)

Scott $9,000