The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part Two continued...

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH SUCH AN UNUSUAL CANCELLATION.

The 2c 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue is one of the most difficult values of the set (after the 3c and 12c) to obtain in such superb condition and with such wide margins. SMQ estimates that approximately 45 are known in total, and we would estimate the number at perhaps 60. Most have oval registry cancels, and most are heavily cancelled. We are aware of only one or two others which compare favorably to the stamp offered here. The example offered here is the only we have encountered with anything that might be considered a fancy cancel.

Ex Floyd. With 1985, 1989 and 2001 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, AND VIRTUALLY ALL HAVE FAULTS. THIS IS THE RAREST USED RE-ISSUE DENOMINATION OF THE SERIES.

Our census of Scott 125 in used condition, illustrated at left and available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/125/125.pdf , contains only fifteen copies. An example on cover was offered in the 1956 Caspary sale, but its current whereabouts is unknown. Of the fourteen other used copies, only three are confirmed as sound, but one has a straight-edge and the other has never been certified. two others need to be examined to determine soundness.

Ex Juhring, Hopkins (Christie's Jun. 12, 1989, where it realized $23,000 hammer) and Zoellner (where it realized $65,000 hammer in 1998). With 1978 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue notes "Very few authenticated sound used copies of No. 125 are recorded. The used value is for an attractive example with minimal faults" (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE IN USED CONDITION.

The 6c is the one of the rarest of the set in used condition. SMQ estimates that approximately 30 exist in used condition, and our own informal count concurs. The example offered here is easily one of the finest in existence -- most are either off-center or have flaws.

With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP HAS BEAUTIFUL COLOR, WIDE MARGINS, A PERFECTLY-STRUCK CANCEL AND TREMENDOUS VISUAL APPEAL.

SMQ estimates that approximately 30 used examples are known. We estimate that between 30 and 50 are known used. However, it is surprisingly difficult to obtain in such superb condition.

With 1991 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN THIS CHOICE SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.

The 12c 1869 Pictorial Re-issue is the second rarest of the set in used condition (the 3c is the rarest). The Rose book estimates 15-25 extant used copies, and SMQ estimates 20 extant. It was the only used 1869 Re-issue denomination in the Zoellner collection that was accepted with a small fault.

With 1981 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SENSATIONAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION, WITH WIDE MARGINS, RICH COLOR, AND A BEAUTIFULLY-PLACED CANCEL.

The Type III design of the 15c Re-Issue is similar to the Type I, except it lacks shading lines around the vignette. The Rose book (p. 104) notes that essays of Type III are known from 1868, indicating this type was contemplated but never used for the original 1869 Issue. The vignette plate based on Type III was made for the Re-Issue. According to SMQ approximately 70 used examples are known. Our experience has been that most are either faulty or off-center.

With 1992 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1869 RE-ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. ONE OF THE MAJOR RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.

In United States Postage Stamps of 1869, author Jonathan Rose states that only one sheet of 100 was issued. A significantly smaller group is still known to exist. Only two are known used and are shown at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/129a/129a.pdf , both with contemporary cancels. The other recorded example was offered in our 2001 sale of the Twigg-Smith collection, and is illustrated below. It has a thin spot and is currently owned by a collector who is not likely to sell for quite some time.

Ex "Gentleman's Collection" (1943 Pelander sale) where described as sound. With 1976 and 2000 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue notes "Two used examples of No. 129a are recorded. Both are faulty and are valued thus." (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.

With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ $3,500.00 as 90, $7,500.00 as 95). SMQ estimates that approximately 70 used examples are known. Only three have graded higher (all at 95) and no others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WITH GORGEOUS COLORS, HUGE MARGINS, LONG PERFORATIONS AND A BEAUTIFUL CANCEL. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

SMQ estimates that approximately 40 are known used. Our experience has been that many are either off-center or have small faults.

With 1988 and 1992 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THIS IS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A WONDERFUL CONDITION RARITY.

SMQ estimates that approximately 40 used copies exist. Most are either off-center or have small faults. A review using Power Search failed to find its equal. The closest comparable copy was offered in our sale of the Dauer collection in 2008, which has a similar cancel.

With 1988 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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