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

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS STAMP IS WIDELY ESTEEMED AS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT EXTANT. THE COLORS ARE REMARKABLE, THE MARGINS ARE WIDE ALL AROUND, IT HAS A STAR FANCY CANCEL, AND IT IS COMPLETELY SOUND. A TRULY REMARKABLE STAMP.

Our census of 15c 1869 Inverts, recently updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/119b/119b.pdf , contains three unused and 96 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection and one in the NY Public Library's Miller Collection). Only nine are confirmed as sound, and virtually all have perfs either close or touching on one or more sides. This is considered to be the finest truly sound stamp.

Census No. 119b-CAN-31. Ex Moody, "Ambassador", Wunderlich, Kantor, Koppersmith and Eubanks. With 1971, 1986, 2001 and 2010 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF ALL 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERTS. IT IS ALSO THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 119c -- CENTER DOUBLE WITH ONE INVERTED -- IN EXISTENCE. ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF THIS RARITY ARE RECORDED.

In an article in Chronicle No. 181, February 1999, Scott R. Trepel examines the three confirmed examples of the Scott 119c variety and offers a theory as to how they were produced. Using computer imaging software and high-resolution scans, he makes the argument that the upright impression of the vignette, which in all three cases is faint, was created as a result of offset when the sheet was accidentally folded over on itself and stacked. His work is reproduced at left.

The three recorded examples of Scott 119c are illustrated below. Only one other is potentially sound. Census No. 119c-CAN-01. Ex Newbury and Drucker. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue value has not changed in almost a decade. (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS STAMP IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT IN EXISTENCE. THE COLORS ARE FRESH, THE MARGINS ARE WIDE, THE CANCEL IS UNOBTRUSIVE, AND IT IS COMPLETELY SOUND. ONLY ELEVEN CONFIRMED SOUND COPIES ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS.

Our census of 24c 1869 Inverts, recently updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/120b/120b.pdf , contains four unused, 83 used singles, one used pair, one on cover and the unique block of four, for a total of 90 copies of the perforated 24c Invert. Of these, only eleven are confirmed as sound. An additional ten copies have not been seen in some time and need to be reexamined for condition. Of the eleven confirmed as sound, only two or three have decent centering comparable to the example offered here.

Census No. 120b-CAN-63. Ex Cole, Koppersmith and McKinney. With 1988 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT IN EXISTENCE. ONLY THREE OF THE 40 RECORDED USED COPIES ARE CENTERED AND SOUND. A PHENOMENAL CONDITION RARITY.

Our recently updated census of 30c 1869 Inverts, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/121b/121b.pdf , contains a total of 47 stamps, including 7 unused and 40 used (one in the Miller Collection at the N.Y. Public Library). Of the ten used "centered" copies, only three are sound. The other two were offered in our sales of the Zoellner and Twigg-Smith Collections.

Census No. 121b-CAN-11. Ex "Country Gentleman" and Drucker. With 1946 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $125,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 90). (Image)

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