Insider Highlights

1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia, wide spaced perforation at top and bottom. Position 92L4, perfect centering amid uncommonly wide margins even at sides, beautiful rich vibrant color on bright paper, a Superb jumbo gem, ex-Eno, Zoellner, Hinrichs & Tahoe, with 2004 P.F. & 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (Superb 98J, SMQ $330,000).Scott No. 19; $10,000.A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 1¢ TYPE 1A PERFORATED ISSUE - CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT 1¢ FRANKLIN ISSUES IN EXISTENCE. According to Neinken, the Type IA stamps were only produced from 18 of the 20 positions from the bottom row of Plate 4. For some months prior to the manufacture of Plate 4, Toppan, Carpenter & Co. had been making experiments with a machine to perforate sheets of stamps. When Plate 3 was made in the spring of 1856 their experiments had not advanced to the state where they considered the new method practical, because Plate 3 was not made with spacings large enough to permit the inclusion of perforations. In contrast, when they made Plate 4, their experiments had reached the practical stage, and consequently Plate 4 was made with spacings large enough to introduce perforations in the vertical and horizontal spacings.The plate four designs of the six reliefs on the roller were approximately of the same length but the short transferring on the plate, combined with the erasures in the horizontal spacings, made the designs in the 2nd to 9th rows inclusive, somewhat shorter than the designs of the top and bottom rows. As a result, when the sheets were perforated, if the perforations did not touch the top part of the designs in the top row, the perforations did cut into the bottom of the designs of these top row stamps. And in addition, it was found that the perforations, with the machine so set, cut into the tops and across the bottom of the stamps in the bottom row. To correct this defect, the machine was reset for the perforating of the top and bottom rows for the first lot of sheets run through the perforating machine. This accounts for stamps from these two rows which show the horizontal perforations farther apart than found on any stamps coming from the body of the plate. This practice of resetting the machine was not continued for any length of time, but the resetting gave us what we refer to as the "wide spaced perforations", the only fine copies that are known of the scarce Types II, IC and IA from Plate Four. The length of the design of a IA stamp is 26mm whereas the normal perforations measure between 25 and 25½mm apart, top to bottom, on stamps from the body of the plate. A short temporary resetting of the machine to 27 to 27½mm was necessary to produce a perforated Type IA stamp not cut into by the perforations.The perforated Type IA stamps that are not touched by perforations as the rarest stamps in the 1857 perforated issue. This example offered here not only exhibits this quality, but is superbly centered making this the finest example known. US$0

1863, 2¢ black. O.g., exceptional centering amid uncommonly large margins, deep rich color enhancing a wonderful proof-like impression, Extremely Fine to Superb, one of six example to receive this lofty grade with no other examples higher, With 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000).Scott No. 73; $350.ONE OF FINEST MINT ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1863 2¢ BLACK JACK ISSUE. US$0

1894, $2 BRIGHT BLUE UNWATERMARKED USED GRADED '95', #262, exceptionally well-centered on bright paper with a light strike of an oval registry cancel, extremely fine - superb, with 1979 P.F. and 2008 PSE certs., the later graded '95', only one used stamp grades higher and two share this grade, extremely rare in this superior condition, SMQ $8,350.00

Canada, 1853, Beaver, 3d brown red. top left sheet margin single, deep rich color, large margins including huge sheet margins, bold "21" four-ring cancel of Montreal, an Extremely Fine gem, ex-Reford, with 1964 Diena, 1965 & 1966 Bolaffi, 2016 Eichele & 2017 P.F. certificates. Scott No. 4a.Unitrade No. 4a; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.THE FINEST 3D 1853 BEAVER CORNER MARGIN SINGLE RECORDED. Illustrated in Robson Lowe Encyclopedia on page 167. US$1,000-1,500

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Top margin single, blue face free town cancels, large to enormous margins showing portions of adjacent stamps on three sides with wide sheet margin at top, rich color enhancing a sharp detailed impression on bright fresh paper, a Superb jumbo gem, one of eleven examples to receive this ultimate grade, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate Graded (Gem 100J, SMQ $2,750 for 100).Scott No. 9; $100.A MAGNIFICENT JUMBO MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1852 1¢ TYPE IV IMPERFORATE ISSUE BEARING A COMPLIMENTARY COLOR CANCELLATION. US$0

1879, 90¢ carmine, A.B.N.C. printing. Extraordinarily well centered within beautiful large and balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper, bold oval cancel, an Extremely Fine gem, ex-Bowman, Morton, with 1992 and 2001 P.F., 2008 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates, both P.S.E. Graded (XF-S 95, SMQ $3,500).Scott No. 191; $375.A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90¢ AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. ISSUE THAT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. Only three examples graded higher by the P.S.E., with one sole example graded 98. US$0

1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Plate 11 (relief B), near perfect centering amid evenly balanced margins all around, deep rich color and bright paper, central strike of "Paid" in lozenge cancel, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex-Dr. Grassi, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $5,550).Scott No. 22; $525.A WONDERFUL GEM FOR THE FINEST COLLECTION WITH ONLY TWO EXAMPLES GRADED HIGHER BY THE P.S.E. US$0

1867, 1¢ blue, E. grill. Wonderful strike of fancy "OK" in grid, well centered with large margins, bright color, Extremely Fine, ex-Haas, Grunin, Hansen & Dr. Grassi, with 2008 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 86; $450; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A MAGNIFICENT 1868 1¢ FRANKLIN E GRILL WITH "OK" FANCY CANCELLATION, WHICH IS UNDOUBTEDLY UNIQUE ON THIS ISSUE. US$1,000-1,500

Supplementary Mail Type A. Clear strike of red cancel on 1857 3¢ Dull Red, Type III (rich color on bright paper), Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp with an extremely rare cancel, ex-Gorham, with 2000 and 2008 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 26; $510; Estimate $300 - 400. US$300-400

Postage Due, 1895, 50¢ deep claret (Scott J37), o.g., hinged, fresh and sound with bold color and clear lines, cleanly centered amid near-jumbo margins, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate.Scott $1,800.

1861, 24¢ violet, thin paper. Bold red grid cancel, perfectly centered amid beautifully balanced margins, strong vibrant violet color and a deep detailed impression, Extremely Fine to Superb, a striking gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate, Graded (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $9,000).Scott No. 70c; $2,250.A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1861 24¢ VIOLET SHADE. THIS IS ONE OF FIVE RECORDED IN THIS GRADE, WITH NONE GRADED HIGHER. US$0

1847, 10¢ black, "stick pin in tie" variety. Position 52L1, neat blue circular grid cancel leaving plate flaw fully visible, large to huge margins showing small portion of adjacent stamp at top, strong color and a crisp detailed impression, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex-Rust & Wall, with 2000 P.F., 2009 & 2024 P.S.E. certificates, the latter two Graded (XF-Superb 95).Scott No. 2 var.; $3,000.A REMARKABLE STAMP AND WHICH IS FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 10¢ 1847 "STICK PIN" VARIETY. A search of our records and of the Siegel's site, shows that only four examples have been offered since keeping computerized records. US$0

Hawaii, 1857, King Kamehameha III, 5¢ blue on thin white wove paper. Slight tear, used on buff cover to Miss C.C. Murdock in Brooklyn, N.Y., in combination with U.S. 1851, 12¢ black (17), small corner crease and tiny nick at top, the Hawaiian stamp with traces of manuscript strokes, tied together with red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Oct 3" cds (242.03) and "San Francisco, Cal., Oct 24" cds, with both postmarks repeated at lower left (S.F.) and upper right (Honolulu), carried by the American bark Yankee (dep. Oct. 3, arr. Oct. 21)., Very Fine, ex-Risvold.Scott No. 8; Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.ONE OF THE FIVE EARLIEST RECORDED COVERS MARKED "OVERLAND" AT SAN FRANCISCO. The 'OVERLAND' handstamp was applied by the San Francisco post office to indicate onward transmission by the Butterfield Southern Route, as opposed to the Panama route. Fourteen Hawaii covers are recorded by Frajola with the 'OVERLAND' marking, starting in October 1859, with the latest usage at San Francisco being February 13, 1860. The cover offered here shows pre-payment of postage by stamps of both Hawaii and the U.S., 5¢ Hawaiian and 12¢ U.S for the 10¢ transcontinental rate and 2¢ for the ship fee.References: Frajola Overland census no. SFC1-4. US$10,000-15,000

1870, 6¢ carmine, H. grill, N.B.N.C. printing (Scott 137), a top-tier stamp, with captivating color, exquisite centering, and incredibly luminous white paper; a must-have for the quality-conscious collector, Extremely Fine to Superb, only a single 98 grades higher in PSE's Population Report, with 1984 & 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates, the last graded XF-SUP 95.SMQ XF-SUP 95; $3,000. Scott Stamp Values $2,750.

1893, 6¢ Columbian. O.g., never hinged, perfect centering amid uncommonly large and beautifully balanced margins, rich radiant color and Post Office fresh, a Superb jumbo gem, the only example to receive this lofty grade by the P.S.E. with only one grading higher (a 100), with 2012 P.S.A.G. (Gem 100), 2012 P.F., 2025 P.F. & 2025 P.S.E. certificates, the latter two Graded (Superb 98J, SMQ $9,500).Scott No. 235; $150.ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 6¢ COLUMBIAN ISSUE. US$0

1847, 5¢ reddish brown (Scott 1 var.), in the family of Ridgway's dark russet, a beauty with alluring color and clarity, fresh and bright with red circular grid cancel, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate noting shade.Scott $425 for normal.

1867, 10¢ blue green, E. grill (Scott 89 var.), gorgeous example of this shade, Post Office fresh with razor-sharp detail and exceptional centering; New York steamship cancel adds to the appeal; couple shortish perforations at left, bottom left corner long perforation tooth weak, otherwise Extremely Fine, ex Morris, with 1980, 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates.Scott $400.

1847, 5¢ red orange, dot in "S" in upper right corner. Bottom left corner margin single, light blue grid cancel, large to huge margins, strong bright color on strong blued paper, Extremely Fine to Superb, one of only two examples to grade as such with no examples higher, with 2007, 2002 P.F. & 2008, 2020 P.S.E. certificates, all Graded (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $15,000).Scott No. 1c; $8,500.ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1847 5¢ RED ORANGE ISSUE - THE RAREST OF ALL 1847 5¢ ISSUE SHADES. US$0

1847, 5¢ red orange, dot in "S" in upper right corner. Bottom left corner margin single, light blue grid cancel, large to huge margins, strong bright color on strong blued paper, Extremely Fine to Superb, one of only two examples to grade as such with no examples higher, with 2007, 2002 P.F. & 2008, 2020 P.S.E. certificates, all Graded (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $15,000).Scott No. 1c; $8,500.ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1847 5¢ RED ORANGE ISSUE - THE RAREST OF ALL 1847 5¢ ISSUE SHADES. US$0

Agriculture Dept., 1873, 3¢ yellow (Scott O3), o.g., very lightly hinged, pristine with radiant color and exceptional centering; as pretty as they come, Extremely Fine to Superb, a Top of the Pop; only two stamps attain this highest grade in PSE's Population Report, with 2008 P.F. certificate graded XF-SUP 95 XQ.SMQ XF-SUP 95; $875. Scott Stamp Values $875.

1851 (Aug 2) entire to Mexico bearing embossed 1s green in strip of four, two pairs and a single to form the 9s rate for up to 2oz by British Packet, tied by London inland numeral ''13'' cancels. Margins are touched in places, one pair with a reduced corner which slightly overlaps the strip. Additionally rated ''6'' (Reales) due from recipient for domestic postage (probably transited at Vera Cruz). A clean and attractive cover, very scarce and an important item of transatlantic maritime and GB postal history.

1857, 1¢ blue, type II. Light red town cancel, exceptional centering amid nicely balanced margins, beautiful deep rich color, full perforations, Extremely Fine to Superb, with 1995 & 2021 P.F. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $2,400).Scott No. 20; $275.A WONDERFULLY CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 1¢ TYPE II ISSUE BEARING A COMPLEMENTARY COLOR CANCELLATION. By way of comparison, the P.S.E. has graded only three stamps with the grade of "95", with none higher. US$0

1875, 10c YELLOW RE-ISSUE MINT GRADED '95', #127, impeccable stamp in superior centering, original gum, lightly hinged, extremely fine - superb, with 1982 & 1995 P.F. certs, in addition to 2007 PSE cert. graded '95', rare in this outstanding condition, SMQ $6,500.00

Newspaper, 1875, 72¢ pale rose, C.B.N.C. "Hard Paper" Special Printing. Without gum as issued, attractive centering with wide margins top and bottom, fresh color on crisp paper, Very Fine and rare, a rare stamp with only 174 sold, ex-Drucker & "Hope", with 1987 P.F. certificate.Scott No. PR45; $4,500.ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL FOUND IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (1.7MB). US$0

1861, 30¢ orange. Blue straight line "Registered" of Philadelphia, Pa. handstamp, perfectly centered with bright color, an Extremely Fine gem, ex-Dr. Grassi, with 2005 P.F. & 2017 P.S.E. certificates.Scott No. 71; Estimate $400 - 600.A WONDERFUL STAMP WITH THIS RARE HANDSTAMP CANCEL. US$400-600