Spink Shreves Galleries Sale

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1849-1850 CERES ISSUES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

#1, 1850 10c Bister on yellow, select mint single, mostly large margins to well clear at bottom, strong color and impression on fresh paper, o.g., minor h.r., very fine (Yvert #1; €2,200). (Image)

$2,000.00

SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1850 10c Bister on yellowish, a handsome and scarce unused block of four, with uniformly large margins all around, plus its color is sumptuously rich and the paper is immaculate, fresh and very fine; signed Calves and accompanied by his 1973 and 1993 certificates (Yvert #1; €10,000 for o.g.). (Image)

for o.g. $11,000.00

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1850 10c Bister on yellowish, an impressive unused left sheet-margin block of six (3x2), with large to very large margins on the other three sides, gorgeous rich color and crisp impression on fresh paper, extremely fine and handsome; one of the largest surviving multiples; signed Friedl and accompanied by a 1998 von der Weid certificate (Yvert #1). (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $7,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1e, 1850 10c Dark bister on yellowish, tete-beche, a spectacular quality horizontal "face to face" pair, with oversized even margins all around, tied along with 40c Orange on yellowish (#7) by lozenge roller cancel to cover to Rockingham City, North Carolina, two clear strikes of double circle "Paris/28 Juil/51" datestamp and red boxed "P.P." (paid to port) handstamp, manuscript "By Havre Steamer" directive, arrived in the U.S. with "New York/5/Aug 13" exchange office postmark, very fine and choice.This cover shows the special 60c "voie de commerce" rate for the Le Havre line to New York. It was carried on board the steamship "Humbolt" departing on 30th July, 1851 and arriving on 13th August. In addition to being one of only two recorded frankings by a tete-beche pair of the 1850 10c Ceres to the U.S.A., this is one of the finest quality examples of this tete-beche rarity known on any cover. A phenomenally rare franking of great visual appeal. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun and Calves, as well as being accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates; ex-Caspary, "Lafayette" (Yvert #1d, 5). (Image)

Est. $40,000-50,000

SOLD for $28,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#2, 1849 15c Green on greenish, a magnificent quality example of this mint rarity, boasting exceptional physical characteristics, including uniformly large even margins all around, rich verdant color and a detailed impression, plus it possesses and incredible overall freshness which belies its over 160 years of age, but most amazing of all, it features full clean original gum which has never been hinged, extremely fine.The 1849 15c Green on greenish is among France's rarest mint stamps. Few mint examples exist with original gum and being completely free of any faults, so to find a mint never hinged example of this rarity in such premium quality is a miracle indeed.Signed Alberto Diena and Calves, as well as being accompanied by 1971 Alberto Diena, 1983 Enzo Diena and 1984 Calves certificates (Yvert #2; €25,000 for hinged) (Image)

for hinged $23,000.00

SOLD for $21,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#3b, 1849 20c Black on buff, strikingly handsome mint single with a partial sheet margin at left, other margins uncommonly large and even, deep rich color on strongly colored paper, full original gum that has only been lightly hinged, an extremely fine gem; signed Roumet (Yvert #3b; €1,100). (Image)

$1,400.00

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

4, 4c

#4, 4c, 1849 20c Dark blue, tete-beche, a visually striking mint block of six (2x3), the center stamps a "back to back" horizontal tete-beche pair, ample to huge margins all around, striking intense color on bright white paper, original gum, some light gum creases which are not readily apparent on the face, and top left stamp with inconsequential thin (not part of tete-beche pair), neither of which are noted on the certificates, otherwise very fine.An amazing classic multiple and one of the great tete-beche rarities of 1849-50 Ceres issue. The inverted cliche is from position 110 from the first pane. This block was originally part of a block of twelve. Illustrated in the 2000 Yvert Specialized catalog. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun and Goebel, and accompanied by their 2003 certificates; ex-King Farouk, Burrus and "Lafayette" (Yvert #8a, 8d; €98,600+ for tete-beche pair and four singles). (Image)

$81,400.00+

SOLD for $85,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#6b, 1849 25c Blue on yellowish, an attractive mint example of this very scarce stamp, with rich luxuriant color on clean fresh paper, full and even margins all around, part original gum, choice very fine; signed "W.H.C." (Colson) and Friedl, as well as being accompanied by a 1998 von der Weid certificate (Yvert #4b; €8,000). (Image)

$6,400.00

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

#6c, 1849 25c Blue on yellowish, tete-beche, a magnificent appearing horizontal "face to face" tete-beche pair, with uniformly large margins all around, deep rich color on fresh paper, part original gum, 3mm sealed diagonal tear at bottom left corner just into the design and the left stamp with a couple small thinned spots, of superb appearance.One of the greatest of all the French mint tete-beche rarities with only three examples recorded. The inverted cliche comes from position 131 of the second pane.Illustrated in Life Magazine in 1954 (counted among the world's greatest rarities) and in the 2000 Yvert Specialized catalog. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun and Calves and accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates; ex-Ferrary, "Lafayette" (Yvert #4c; €160,000). (Image)

$185,000.00

SOLD for $72,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

#6c, 1849 25c Blue on yellowish, tete-beche, a superior quality horizontal "face to face" tete-beche pair, with mostly large margins to quite ample at top, luxuriant rich color, tied by mute lozenge grid to fresh 1851 folded letter to Marseille, double circle "Lyon/28 Fevr 51" datestamp at right and backstamped at Marseille the next day, extremely fine.Unquestionably one of the finest of the 30 tete-beche pairs on cover recorded.Signed Miro and J.F. Brun, as well as being accompanied by 1980 Brun, 1982 Soluphil and 1997 von der Weid certificates (Yvert #4c; €30,000). (Image)

$30,000.00

SOLD for $22,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#7a, 1850 40c Orange vermilion on yellowish, Ty. I, a gorgeous right sheet-margin mint example, with large even margins on the other three sides, eye-catching intense color and impression on exceptionally fresh paper, full clean original gum that has only been very lightly hinged, extremely fine and handsome; signed A. Brun (Yvert #5b; €5,500). (Image)

$4,250.00

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

#7f, 1850 40c Orange on yellowish, Ty. II, the unique bottom right corner margin combination horizontal strip of five, the left pair Ty. II showing the retouched wide "4" and the right three stamps the normal Ty. I (Scott #7), with mostly ample margins to barely touching the center stamp, gloriously rich color, o.g. which is thick and brownish in places, very fine.This magnificent multiple is one of the greatest rarities in all French philately and an exhibition item of the highest echelon. The retouched wide "4" comes only from positions 146 and 147 in the sheet. Only one other mint pair of Ty. II is known, however this is the unique combination strip of five. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun and Goebel and accompanied by their 2003 certificates; ex-Ferrary, Hind and "Lafayette" (Yvert #5f, 5; €139,250+ for Ty. II pair and Ty. I singles). (imagea) (Image)

$116,250.00+

SOLD for $100,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#8, 1849 1Fr Vermilion on yellowish, a truly extraordinary mint example of this world famous classic rarity, being in a quality with which few (if any) other mint examples can compare, as the single offered here possesses exceptional physical characteristics, especially when compared to the others, as most either have their margins touching the design, have small faults and/or lack original gum, not so the example offered here however, as this lovely stamp features large to very large margins all around, plus its color is luxuriant and its impression is highly detailed, in addition it possesses an extraordinary overall freshness which belies its age, with full clean original gum which only shows the slightest trace of possible hinging (if at all), small natural paper inclusion at top center, certainly extremely fine when compared to the minute existing population.A gem mint example of not only France's rarest stamp, but one of the most sought-after classic rarities of the world. While mint examples do occasionally make an auction appearance, few copies are sound and still retaining their full original gum. Acquired by Mr. Gross from the legendary "Lafayette" collection sold in Paris in 2003.Signed five times and accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates (Yvert #7b; €60,000). (Image)

$100,000.00

SOLD for $32,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

#8, 1849 1Fr Vermilion on yellowish, a gorgeous single with particularly large margins all around, intense color and a detailed impression, tied by neatly struck mute lozenge grid to a very fresh partially printed invoice to Verdun sur Meuse, bold double circle "Sedan/18 Juil/49" datestamp at upper left and blue merchant's cachet, backstamped at Verdun the next day, extremely fine and handsome.An extraordinarily choice and rare single franking usage from Sedan by the 1849 1Fr "Vermilion vif."Accompanied by 1998 von der Weid certificate; ex-Caspary (Yvert #7a; €26,500 for used). (Image)

$29,000.00

SOLD for $21,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

8, 3

#8, 1849 1Fr Vermilion, single with intense color, ample to large margins except where close but clear at top right, tied along with 20c Black on yellowish (#3, mostly large margins to touching at top right) by two strikes of mute lozenge grid to fresh 1849 folded letter to Rome, Italy, clear double circle "Moissey/16 Oct 49" datestamp at top left, red boxed "PD" (paid to destination) departure handstamp, straightline "Franco Sarde" transit and Lons-le-Saunier and Rome backstamps, red "P.F." arrival handstamp, a very fine and spectacular usage.The two stamps paid the 1.20Fr rate to Italy. This is, without doubt, the prettiest of the three recorded covers bearing the two stamps issued in 1849. One of the most famous and eye-appealing covers in French philately.Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun, Calves, E. Diena and Goebel, as well as being accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates; ex-"Lafayette" (Yvert #7, 3). (Image)

Est. $100,000-150,000

SOLD for $70,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#8c, 1849 1Fr Pale vermilion "Vervelle" on yellowish, the iconic full bottom sheet-margin unused horizontal strip of three, with manuscript notations in the sheet selvage mentioning the printing dates of the 1Fr Vermilion, oversized even margins on the other three sides, bright and fresh, sharp early impression, center stamp with a small ink spot, insignificant crease in the selvage only, extremely fine.A unique strip and one of the most important multiples in French philately. The manuscript notation reads in part: "Impression au vermillion les premiers timbres imprimir du 18 au 22 Decembre, 1848..." and most likely comes from the Anatole A. Hulot archives. Mr. Hulot was the deputy to the Graveur General des Monnaies, the printer. A full sheet was found in 1895 among his effects and sold to Ernest Vervelle, a Parisian stamp dealer, by whose name the stamps are now known.One of the most important items in all French philately and certainly a key piece for a Large Gold medal exhibition collection. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, J.F. Brun, Calves and Goebel, as well as being accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates; ex-"Lafayette" (Yvert #7). (Image)

Est. $100,000-150,000

SOLD for $130,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#9a, 1849 1Fr Light carmine on yellowish, tete-beche, a showpiece unused horizontal "face to face" tete-beche pair, featuring strikingly intense color on fresh paper, ample to mostly large margins all around, very fine.This spectacular pair is widely regarded as one of the greatest 1849-50 Ceres issue tete-beche rarities extant, with only four unused examples recorded. It has graced several of the finest collections of classic French stamps ever formed. The inverted cliche comes only from position 35 from the first plate used to print the 1Fr value.Illustrated in the 2000 Yvert Specialized and 2003 Yvert catalogs. Signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, Aime and Jean-Francois Brun, Calves, Goebel and Roumet, as well as being accompanied by 2003 Behr, Brun and Goebel certificates; ex-Ferrary, Hind and "Lafayette" (Yvert #6e; €200,000). (Image)

$235,000.00

SOLD for $190,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#9e, 1849 1Fr Red brown, an impressive example of this rare stamp, being in a quality with which few other mint examples can compare, boasting particularly large and well balanced margins all around, plus it is exceptionally fresh, with strong characteristic color on crisp clean paper, while its reverse reveals full original gum which has only been relatively lightly hinged, an extremely fine gem; unquestionably one of the finest mint singles extant; signed Bernard and Pascal Behr, Calves and Roumet; ex-"Lafayette" (Yvert #6A; €24,000). (Image)

$16,000.00

SOLD for $18,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1852-1870 NAPOLEON ISSUES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

10a

#10a, 1852 10c Dark bister on yellowish, a superior mint example of this rare and seldom offered stamp, with sumptuously rich color and a fine impression on fresh paper, mostly large margins to well clear at bottom right, part o.g., very fine; a stamp which is missing from most advanced collections of France; 1998 von der Weid certificate (Yvert #9; €42,000). (Image)

$37,000.00

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

10b, 11a

#10b, 11a, 1862 10c Bister and 25c Blue re-issues, fresh mint examples of each, both with large to very large margins all around, bright colors and fine impressions, o.g., 10c trivial h.r. and 25c l.h., extremely fine (Yvert #9c, 10c; €1,250). (imagea) (Image)

$1,150.00

SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction

FRANCE