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

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT BRICK RED. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE -- THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.

Ex Tahoe. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since we last offered this stamp in 2008. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and unusually wide margins, is a true condition rarity.

With 1984 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $9,500.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98) and three others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED, WITH STUNNING COLOR, FRESH PAPER AND LONG AND FULL PERFORATIONS ALL AROUND. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

The deepest shade of Red Brown from the 1858 printing is known as Indian Red. It is found in a short spectrum of color, ranging from a dark purplish shade to a vivid "glowing" orange shade. To be classified as Indian Red, the stamp's impression must be strong throughout, especially in the area of the oval surrounding Jefferson's head. If a stamp possesses anything less than a very deep impression with the characteristic intense red shade, it will fall short of Indian Red, Scott 28A (and that is why Scott 28b was created as "second place").

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $8,100.00). Only one has graded higher and four others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1859 5-CENT TYPE I BROWN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

With 1985 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,800.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98) and five others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT TYPE II.

With 1999, 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $2,700.00). Only three have graded higher. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Type I stamps only come from the 20 positions that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as soundness are taken into consideration.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded, and only four others share it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE II, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Ex Dauer. With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $9,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only other shares it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE III, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS ALSO EXCEEDINGLY RARE WITH THE SELVAGE.

The first perforated 10c stamps produced by Toppan Carpenter from sheets printed from Plate 1 are notorious among collectors for their poor centering. The example offered here, with such beautiful centering and with selvage, is a remarkable rarity. A review using Power Search found only one other with selvage (on a cover).

With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $1,950.00 as 95, $7,500.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our recent Natalee Grace sale) and one other shares this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 10-CENT TYPE IV WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

10c 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, and since their population is low they are difficult to find with such choice centering.

With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $14,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it. (Image)

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