The Merlin Collection of Superb Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps continued...

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 ISSUE GRADED SUBERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1991 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded (9 total) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

In his book on the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Jonathan Rose notes that essays were made for both the Type I and II designs prior to the time the stamps were issued. The stamps were fed through the press twice -- first for the vignette and then for the frame. The challenge for the pressmen was to properly align the vignette when printing the frame. Apparently, the addition of the diamond marker at top center of the Type II design made it easier to accomplish this task. It also made any misalignment less noticeable. Type II stamps quickly replaced Type I.

With 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $12,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (offered in our Kirke sale) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL.

With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $2,100.00). Only one has graded higher and only three others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2008 when we last offered this stamp. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

This marvelous used 24c 1869 defies the norms of this issue. Although the space between subjects on the 24c 1869 frame plate provided ample room for perforations, the National Bank Note Co. employees had difficulty applying lines of perforations in a uniform manner. Therefore, stamps with balanced margins on all four sides represent a tiny fraction of the original population. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. In this stamp we have a degree of perfection rarely achieved by the manufacturer and a fortuitously merciful cancellation, leaving most of the design unobscured.

Ex Senchuk. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A FANTASTIC USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE HAS ACHIEVED THIS GRADE.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $3,300.00 as 95, unpriced as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other has achieved it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.

The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869's.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $8,800.00 as 95, $22,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade. (Image)

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