The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps continued...

VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE "SET" OF 1861-66 RE-ISSUE BLOCKS OF FOUR, WHICH IS COMPLETE FROM THE ONE-CENT THRU THE 30-CENT (THE 90-CENT DOES NOT EXIST IN BLOCK FORM). SIX OF THESE BLOCKS ARE UNIQUE. THEY WERE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CASPARY, LILLY AND HETHERINGTON COLLECTIONS, AND AS A GROUP FORM ONE OF THE GREATEST ASSEMBLAGES OF BLOCKS IN CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

Stamps from previous issues were made for the 1875 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and were intended both for sale and also to showcase examples of every U.S. stamp printed to date. Stamps which were no longer valid for postage were called Reprints (those with original issue dates prior to demonetization -- Scott Nos. 3, 4 and 40-47). Those still valid for postage were called Re-Issues. Those printed concurrently with contemporary designs were called Special Printings. The Post Office Department tried to get the original printing company to make them where possible, the Continental Bank Note Company printed Scott Nos. 40-47 and also Scott Nos. 167-177 and 180 and 181, while National Bank Note Company printed Nos. 102-111 and Nos. 123-132.

The 1861 Re-Issue and 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue were the only set of Reprints, Re-issues or Special Printings to be issued with original gum (both were done by the same printing company). The quality of the printing is very high -- the colors are consistent, the impressions are uniformly superior, and the paper used is thicker and whiter than the original issued stamps. The design and perforations are exactly the same as the issued stamps. Perhaps the quality of the printing was an attempt to showcase their skills, to be considered for future stamp contracts. They were only available from the offices of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, who recorded the quantities purchased and the names of the purchasers. On July 23, 1884 the remaining stock was destroyed, by order of the Postmaster General.

Our records for the 1861 Re-Issues are very comprehensive, and encompass hundreds of auction catalogues, as well as the Levi Records. The 3c, 5c, 10c, 12c, 24c and 30c blocks are unique. There are two blocks recorded for the 2c and 15c (the second of the latter with repaired perfs).

Ex Caspary, Lilly and Hetherington. The 1c with 1982 P.F. certificate. Others with 1968 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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FINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

Ex Klein. With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

With 1993 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

Only 465 sold. With 1987 and 1995 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

With 1992 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PARTICULARLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

Only 451 sold. With 1993 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERIOR CONDITION.

Only 389 were sold. Very few known examples compare favorably to the stamp offered here.

With 1966 and 1994 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1866 RE-ISSUE.

Only 397 sold. With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

Only 346 sold. With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

Little space was left on the 30c 1861 plate for vertical rows of perforations between stamps, and the same plate was used for the 1875 Re-Issue. Therefore, well-centered copies with perforations clear at the sides are rare. Only 346 were sold. Our Levi records contain 146 unused singles, an unused pair and an unused block of four. Many have margins either touching or in on at least one side. Few of the sound copies retain all or part of their original gum.

With 1983 and 1997 P.F. certificates (Image)

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