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

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

Despite the high production numbers for the 10c Ty. II issue, this is a very difficult denomination to obtain in superb quality. Of the 147 used copies sent to P.S.E. for grading, only three have graded 98 or above: the stamp offered here, one other at 98 and the 100J from our Natalie Grace sale (Sale 1024, lot 112, realized $7,500 hammer).

With 1989 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $2,750.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Although the 12c 1861 plate provided ample space between the subjects, the 12-gauge perforation holes use up much of that space, and the lines of perforations were rarely applied in a way that created four balanced margins around the design. This stamp is a one-in-a-million example of perforating outside the normal boundary line on all four sides.

With 1989 P.F. and 2002 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,750.00 as 98). Only two other examples have achieved this grade and none has graded higher. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1993 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT RED LILAC ISSUE AND ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1987 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT BROWN LILAC FEATURING PERFECT CENTERING, FRESH COLOR, SHARP IMPRESSION AND A CLEAR CANCEL. THIS SUPERB STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $7,400.00). Since this stamp was submitted for grading seven years ago, it has remained the only example to achieve this desirable grade with none higher. Reviewing P.S.E. Population Report statistics for all the 24c 1861-63 Issue shades, this is one of only two used stamps to grade at least 98 -- the other is the 98 Jumbo Lilac No. 78 offered in lot 3141. In our opinion, the margin width of this stamp deserves the Jumbo appellation. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 STEEL BLUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. A STAMP WITH WONDERFUL EYE APPEAL .

The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the 24c shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. It is extremely rare in this superb used condition.

With 1994 and 1999 P.F. certificate. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $9,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE VIOLET SHADE ON THIN PAPER. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60), Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c -- the shade offered here), Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c).

Ex Scarsdale. With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $14,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three other examples have achieved this grade (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT IN THE PALE GRAY VIOLET COLOR.

The 24c Pale Gray Violet shade, Scott 70d, comes from an early 1861 printing on thin paper, a characteristic shared by the Violet and Steel Blue stamps. Scott 70d's rarity has been more widely recognized in recent years -- we have only sold two with original gum since keeping computerized records, and we have sold very few sound used copies in Extremely Fine condition.

With 2006 P.F. (XF 90) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $5,350.00). Only one example has achieved this grade and only one has graded higher (at 95) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued, the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes "coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition".

With 1996 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $5,550.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 98J, offered in our Natalie Grace sale). This is one of only two to achieve this grade (Image)

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