2019 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS AND FOUR SHOWING SPLIT GRILLS.

With 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as blocks and pairs without premium for the Mint N.H. stamps (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

The iconic S.S. Adriatic engraving by James Smillie, which is depicted on the 12c 1869 Pictorial Issue, served as a symbol of improved postal communications -- a theme continued from the 1869 2c (post rider) and 3c (train) denominations.

With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report and it is shared by only one other (Image)

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VERY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE BEAUTY AND GREAT RARITY.

Our census of Scott 119b, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/119b/119b.pdf , records three unused and 100 used copies of Scott 119b (there are an additional three examples of Scott 119c). Two of the used copies are in institutions -- the Tapling Collection at The British Library and the Miller Collection at The New York Public Library. Fewer than 20 used copies are sound, including the stamp offered here. Over half have serious faults or repairs. In fact, the 15c is at least as difficult to find in sound condition as the more expensive 24c and 30c inverts.

Census No. 119b-CAN-82. Ex Choban. With 1995 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (F 70; SMQ $90,000.00). Only six 15c Pictorial inverts have been submitted for grading -- attesting to the extreme difficulty of finding a sound example. This 70 grade is the highest awarded and it is shared by only one other (Image)

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VERY FINE. ONLY TWO COMBINATION COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE 15-CENT TYPE I AND 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.

This franking pays the triple 15c treaty rate to France, and the 18c credit corresponds to the triple 6c credit to France for a letter sent by British or American Packet via England. One other cover is known with a similar franking. It is also addressed to France (from New Orleans), but was carried by American Packet Direct with a corresponding 9c credit (Walske collection).

Ex Seybold, Knapp, Dr. Heimburger and Price. With 1996 (copy) and 2016 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL.

This stamp has the color and impression of the true Scott 121a variety, not the Double Paper/Without Grill.

With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, XF 90; unpriced in SMQ) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.

With 1990 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ). We are vexed by the 90 grade here. We would have thought this would grade 95 (Image)

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