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

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. THIS STAMP IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.

The plate used to print the 5c 1856 imperforate and its Type I perforated counterparts has never been fully reconstructed, due to the lack of multiples or significant plating marks. However, 5c stamps with imprints or corner sheet margins can be reliably plated. It is an extremely difficult stamp to obtain in sound condition from the corner-margin positions. We record only thirteen copies with part of the imprint and only about a half-dozen with corner margins. Of those, only one other shows a significant portion of both of the corner margins.

Ex Mayer. With 1983 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,250.00 as 98). Only two examples have achieved this desirable grade with none higher. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING PAIR OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A PAIR.

Used pairs of this issue are readily available as some were used to pay the 10c over 3,000 miles domestic rate or they can be cut down from a strip of three that typically paid the 15c rate to France. However, they invariably have faults or margins that are cut in due to the close spacing between subjects on the plate. This pair, with full margins and completely sound, is very much the exception and is a wonderful condition rarity.

With 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, pairs unpriced in SMQ). This is only pair in the P.S.E. Population Report to achieve this grade with none higher. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IN THE FINEST CONDITION POSSIBLE.

The 10c Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). For some reason, they were usually trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies. This example, with its enormous margins, is an extreme exception to the rule.

With 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $4,800.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only four others share this grade. In our opinion, this deserves a grade of either Superb 98 Jumbo or Gem 100 (see lot 3049). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IMPERFORATE.

With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $2,475.00 as 95, $4,800.00 as 98). While five stamps have graded higher at 98 (and one at 98J), this stamp, with Jumbo margins, is among the most striking we have encountered and, in our opinion, deserves a Superb 98 Jumbo grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE AND STRIKING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1855 TYPE II WITH A COLORFUL COMBINATION OF CANCELS. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1982 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98). This is one of six to achieve this grade with none higher. Frankly, this is a Gem 100 stamp, plain and simple (see lot 3049). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100. A TRULY SUPERB STAMP IN ALL RESPECTS.

The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult. There are no other used 100's recorded in the P.S.E. Population Report even for the Type II (Scott 14) which is of approximately equal availability to the Type III.

With 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,300.00 as 98). Only two other used Type III's share this grade (including the stamp offered in lot 3050) and none has graded higher (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.

The 10c Type III is defined by its incomplete bottom plumes and breaks in the circles at top. While the subjects on the 10c Plate 1 were spaced further apart than on other plates from the 1851-57 Issues, finding a true Gem 100 grade is still exceedingly difficult. There are no other used 100's recorded in the P.S.E. Population Report even for the Type II (Scott 14) which is of approximately equal availability to the Type III.

With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,300.00 as 98). Only two other used Type III's share this grade (including the stamp offered in lot 3049) and none has graded higher (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IV WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. AN OUTSTANDING CONDITION RARITY AND THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE.

10c 1855 Type IV stamps are defined by the recut of one or both outer lines at the top or bottom of the design. Type IV stamps come from only seven scattered positions on the left pane and one position on the right pane of Plate 1. Therefore, only 4% of the stamps from Plate 1 are Type IV.

With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $12,200.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other example has achieved it. (Image)

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