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

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. 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. Not so the example offered here.

With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,100.00). Only four have graded higher to date (the highest at 98). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WITH BRIGHT COLORS, CHOICE CENTERING AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCELLATION. EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

These high-denomination stamps were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. They were often heavily cancelled by postal clerks to make sure they were not reused. The example offered here is the rare exception to the rule.

Ex Argentum. With 1983 and 2009 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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