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 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 1, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 1989, 2003 and 2007 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $9,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1860 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $1,950.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in our Natalee Grace sale). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1860 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $8,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share this desirable grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE AND HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

The narrow space between subjects on the plate makes it almost impossible for the perforations to clear the design on all four sides. The example offered here, with extra wide margins at sides and perfs clear at top and bottom, is a true condition rarity.

Ex Senchuk. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $10,500.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 38 in any category, and it is the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES IN CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY TO OBTAIN AS A USED STAMP IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.

The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound. Of these sound examples, many are off-center.

Ex Wagshal. Small red backstamp. With 1979 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $22,000.00). Only one has graded higher and none share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS ONE-CENT 1857 REPRINT HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. IT MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

Ex Whitman. With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $6,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade (the next-highest is a 95). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 REPRINT. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

As collectors of high-grade stamps know only too well, the 5c 1857 Reprint (878 sold) is notorious for its typically tight margins and poor centering. Before seeing this stamp, we doubted that any example could achieve the coveted XF-Superb 95 grade.

Ex Whitman. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $12,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is a 90 (one stamp) which was offered in our Sale 967. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1857 REPRINT, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Only 454 were sold. A significant number of these have the design either close or touching on one side.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $12,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. (Image)

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