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• Dec-21-24 08:42

THE ONLY KNOWN COVER BEARING THE HAWAIIAN 2-CENT MISSIONARY AND THE ONLY INTACT COVER WITH TWO DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS OF HAWAIIAN MISSIONARY STAMPS. THE RAREST AND MOST FAMOUS OF ALL HAWAIIAN AND UNITED STATES COVERS, AND UNIVERSALLY RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT PHILATELIC ITEMS.

Exhibited among The Aristocrats of Philately” at Anphilex 1971 (New York City), Interphil 1976 (Philadelphia) and Anphilex 1996 (New York City). Shown by invitation in the Courts of Honor of 15 international philatelic exhibitions (last displayed at Washington 2006) and illustrated in the exhibition catalogues for London 1980 and World Stamp Expo 1989. Displayed in the Gems of Hawaii: The Persis Collection” exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in celebration of the museum’s first anniversary. Pictured on the United States Postal Service 2002 souvenir sheet designed by Richard Sheaff (Scott 3694).

Illustrated in Rare Stamps, L. N. and M. Williams, Encyclopedia of Rare and Famous Stamps, L. N. Williams, described and illustrated in Meyer-Harris Hawaii, Its Stamps and Postal History, and Gregory Hawaii Foreign Mails to 1870 (Figure 15-28 and pictured on the front cover of Volume I), featured in Life magazine’s The World's Greatest Stamps” (May 3, 1954) and on the cover of Esquire magazine (October 1956).

Ex George H. Worthington (pencil 3/11/05 New Eng. S. Co. ISSS SS”), Alfred F. Lichtenstein, Alfred H. Caspary, Benjamin D. Phillips, Alfred J. Ostheimer III, Honolulu Advertiser (Thurston Twigg-Smith/Persis Corporation) and Guido Craveri/Tito Giamporcaro.

Siegel Census No. 1-II-COV-15. Gregory Census No. 2c-1 and 5c-2. With 1995 Philatelic Foundation certificate stating it is genuine.”

For an introduction to the Hawaiian Missionaries: https://siegelauctions.com/2013/1045/Missionaries.pdf

For additional description and information about the correspondence and voyage: https://siegelauctions.com/2013/1045/Dawson.pdf

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT INVERTED JENNY FROM POSITION 49 WAS RECENTLY REDISCOVERED. IT IS OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SHEET OF 100 WAS BROKEN 100 YEARS AGO. IN OUR OPINION THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE, BY VIRTUE OF ITS PRISTINE GUM AND PHENOMENAL CENTERING. IT IS GRADED MINT N.H. XF-90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.

The original sheet of one hundred Inverted Jenny errors was purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, the first day the stamps went on sale in all three principal airmail route cities: Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. Robey bought the sheet for its $24 face value at the New York Avenue Post Office window in the District of Columbia. On Sunday, May 19, Robey agreed to give Eugene Klein, a prominent Philadelphia stamp dealer, a one-day option to buy the sheet for $15,000. Klein exercised his option on Monday, May 20, in a late afternoon phone call, and he confirmed it with a registered letter to Robey sent in the evening mail. The sheet was delivered to Klein’s office by Robey and his father-in-law on the following day, Tuesday, May 21, 1918.

No later than Monday, May 20, the day Klein exercised his option, he had arranged to sell the sheet for $20,000 to Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Half of the $5,000 profit went to Klein’s partners, Percy McGraw Mann and Joseph A. Steinmetz. Klein was then authorized by Colonel Green to divide the sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks.

Despite the great rarity and value of Inverted Jenny stamps, many of the original hundred have been mistreated by collectors over the years. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Eight straight-edge copies that Klein was unable to sell and returned to Colonel Green were found in Green’s estate stuck together in an envelope (they were soaked and lost their gum). Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and one was physically Scotch-taped to an exhibit page. Another was nearly lost to philately forever when it was swept up in a vacuum cleaner.

The stamp offered here -- Position 49 -- was purchased by a relative of the current consignor shortly after the sheet was broken in 1918. It was kept in a safety deposit box and passed down through descendants to the current owner, who has decided to release it back onto the market. This stamp was unknown to scholars until recently.

Ex Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Pencil "49" position number (written by Eugene Klein on all 100 positions) on back. With 2018 P.F. certificate (Mint N.H., XF 90)

View the special catalogue for Inverted Jenny Position 49: https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1192/1192A.pdf

For the complete history and detailed records of every Inverted Jenny and owners’ biographies, go to https://invertedjenny.com

Offered intact from a collector’s estate, by order of the trustee

This collection in 33 Scott Specialty albums is the result of at least three decades of dedicated collecting by one of those rare individuals who set out to complete the world. Excluding the United States and Possessions, which are not part of this collection, virtually every country is represented for the years stamps were issued up to the mid- 20th century. There are tens of thousands of unused and used stamps carefully mounted with hinges or in hingeless mounts. Hundreds of countries and thousands of completely filled pages are contained in this massive collection, which is offered intact, according to instructions received from the trustee of the deceased collector’s trust.

It is impossible to describe every significant item in this collection, but the following overview will convey the flavor” of the collection, as well as the scope and depth of representation. The Scott Specialty albums are arranged by geopolitical categories, and this overview follows that arrangement.

We begin with the two volumes of Great Britain, British Europe and Oceania, in which there is a valuable collection of Great Britain, including several scarce or rare ten-shilling, one- and five-pound Victoria issues, most of the George V and VI sets complete, a choice unused V.R.” Official and many of the other scarce Officials. The value of the Great Britain collection alone is in the mid-five figures. In addition to Great Britain there are solid collections of Australasia, including Australian States (an excellent showing of used classic issues, especially New South Wales and New Zealand) and Australia pound-value Kangaroos (mixed used and unused). Noteworthy scarce stamps among the Pacific Islands include Fiji Times Express and VR” overprints, New Britain overprints, North Borneo (including Japanese Occupation), North-West Pacific Islands overprints and an unusually complete collection of Samoa Express stamps.

The next volume is dedicated to British America, including Canada and Maritime Provinces, and Caribbean and Latin American colonies. There is substantial value in the Canadian Pence and Large Queens issues, and Newfoundland is the most valuable of the Maritime Provinces. Dominica features the rare 1886 1p on 4p Green (14; SG 18) on piece, a major world rarity. Among the more valuable country collections is Turks Islands, featuring a selection of the scarce or rare surcharged issues. British Guiana boasts two of the typeset provisional issues.

Rounding out the British Colonial and Commonwealth countries are two volumes of British Africa and two volumes of British Asia.These albums are packed with complete sets and high-denomination George V and George VI issues, as well as the myriad overprinted issues from stamp-issuing entities in Africa and other colonial outposts. Madagascar is especially strong in Consular issues. The Mafeking Siege is represented by some of the scarcer provisionals. All together, the British Africa is a formidable collection worth six figures on its own. The British Asia collection is a bit lighter in the more valuable issues, but its total value is still in the mid-five figures, with Ceylon, India and Malaya dominating.

Next we come to the vast collection of Europe and European Colonies, contained in seventeen volumes, many of which are bulging with filled pages. Naturally, France and Germany dominate, with the classic issues well-represented and German States featuring a Saxony First Issue. Italian States are surprisingly complete and in excellent condition, including a choice Savoy Cross on piece. The undisputed highlight of the collection will be found in Switzerland, where a sound and Very Fine Double Geneva is located (with von der Weid certificate). This rare gem is a $20,000-$30,000 item and would satisfy the most discriminating collector.

The volumes containing Scandinavia-Finland (one), Latin West Indies (one), Central and South America (five) will impress the viewer with their completeness and many scarce issues. Two volumes of Independent Countries of Asia have most of the value concentrated in China, where a 5c Large Dragon Wide Spacing and Red Revenues light up the pages. There is also a separate collection of People’s Republic of China contained in two three-ring notebooks, which is worth several thousand dollars (it contains the Year of the Monkey stamp).

Regarding condition, this is most definitely not a spacefiller” collection. The better stamps in this collection are at least Fine and more often Very Fine. It contains stamps that were bought at auction and from dealers at significant percentages of catalogue value. Some of the sets are mixed unused and used, and minor faults in some of the classic issues should be expected, but sound Very Fine stamps with catalogue values in excess of $500.00 will be found throughout. There are a large number of expert certificates, and we detected very few problematic stamps.

Our conservative estimate is based on the fair market value of the stamps if they were offered in typical individual lots and small country collections. The estimate does not reflect the extraordinary opportunity to acquire a worldwide collection of this vast scope and depth in one lot. Filling page after page with the sets and scarce issues found in this collection took decades and, if attempted incrementally, would take an equal amount of time. For someone who loves stamps -- the entire world of stamps -- and wants a turn-key” worldwide collection on which to build, this is a unique opportunity. Needless to say, for a dealer with the means to make a substantial investment, its acquisition within, or even above, our estimate range holds certain potential for a substantial resale profit.

Special presale registration will be required in order to bid on this lot, and it will only be released to the winning bidder after payment in full has been made, in accordance with the Conditions of Sale.

DESCRIPTION

5¢ Red Brown (1), three ample margins, clear to just slightly in at left, late impression, used with Canada, 1851, 3p Red on Laid (1), large even margins, bright color, both stamps tied by bold strikes of Canadian 7-ring target cancel, red "Montreal L.C. JU 8, 1851" circular datestamp, red "CANADA" in framed arc cross-border handstamp on blue folded letter from Montreal, Canada, to New York City, from the D. S. Kennedy correspondence, datelined "Montreal, June 7th 1851", sender's notation "p. paid" at top right, red "PAID" arc handstamp applied in New York ties both stamps and confirms that the 5¢ stamp affixed in Canada was accepted as full prepayment

PROVENANCE

Alfred F. Lichtenstein and Louise Boyd Dale, H. R. Harmer, Sale 10, 12/7-8/1970, lot 16, to Hillmer

Duane Hillmer (sold privately to Grunin)

Louis Grunin (sold privately to Garrett)

Duane B. Garrett (collection sold privately to Dr. Kapiloff)

Dr. Leonard Kapiloff, Siegel Auction Galleries, 6/9/1992, Sale 743, lot 121, to Craveri

Guido Craveri, Bennett sale, 3/23/2002, lot 47

Acquired by William H. Gross in a private transaction

CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES

USPCS census no. 261 https://www.uspcs.org/resource-center/censuses/1847-cover-census/

Winthrop S. Boggs, The Postage Stamps and Postal History of Canada, p. 79, fig. 36

Creighton C. Hart, "1847 Cross-Border Covers," Chronicle 98, p. 96, fig. 3

INTERPHIL 1976 (Hillmer)

Special Exhibition of Greatest Covers from the Collections of Alfred F. Lichtenstein and Louise Boyd Dale, published by The Philatelic Foundation, 1995

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (1992)

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine; faint vertical file fold affects 3p stamp

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

One Beaver, One Benjamin--Both Cancelled in Canada

The events that created the Beaver cover start on April 6, 1851, when a new postal treaty between Canada and the United States went into effect. For decades there had been no easy way to pay postage on letters between the two adjoining North American nations. Postage on each side was calculated based on distance to the border, and letters would be delivered marked postage due for the receiving country's share. The 1851 postal treaty created a reciprocal postage rate--6 pence in Canada and 10 cents in the U.S.--without any need for cumbersome postage collection. The new agreement went into effect on April 6, 1851.

On April 23, 1851, Canada's first issue of postage stamps became available. The 3-pence stamp was an orange-red, rectangular design depicting a semi-aquatic rodent, whose lustrous fur, when removed and turned into hats, had made it a vital part of Canada's economic history and a symbol of the British North American colony--the beaver. The Beaver stamp paid the 3p domestic rate in Canada.

At the same time in the United States, Congress had established lower postage rates and authorized new stamps to pay them, set for release on July 1, 1851. On that day the old 1847 Issue would no longer be valid for postage, and a three-month redemption period would commence. For years before, the 1847 stamps had been supplied to Canadian post offices and used there to prepay the U.S. postage on letters addressed to the states. After the 1851 U.S.-Canada postal treaty took effect, Canadian postmasters accepted the U.S. stamps in payment of the Canada 6-pence rate (roughly equivalent to 10¢ U.S.), even after the 1847s were demonetized in the their own country of origin.

The time between the release date of Canada's first issue and the last day the 1847 Issue was valid for postage in the U.S. is 69 days. During this brief period, the first issues of both countries, printed by the same firm--Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson--could be used on the same letter, but only under very unusual circumstances, which technically skirted the rules of the new treaty, but were nonetheless practiced and accepted by post offices on both sides.

This cover with a single Canada 3p Beaver and 5¢ 1847 was highlighted in Sale 10 of the Dale-Lichtenstein collection (H. R. Harmer, 12/7-8/1970) and realized $9,000, the second highest price of the auction, exceeded only by the mint corner pair of the Canada 1851 12p Black. It became part of the Duane Hillmer collection of Canada and then passed to Louis Grunin when the Hillmer collection was sold privately. Grunin's 1847s were acquired by Duane Garrett, and then the entire Garrett collection was bought by Dr. Leonard Kapiloff. At the Kapiloff sale in 1992, Guido Craveri bought the Beaver cover, and it was later sold to Mr. Gross.

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO OR THREE SOUND COPIES. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

Only seven unused examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue with inverted flags are known. Only one has original gum (recently sold in our auction of the Beverly Hills collection for $600,000 hammer). The other six have no gum. Of the seven unused copies, the original-gum example is sound, as is the example offered here. One other is potentially sound, but has not been seen since 1960. Therefore, it is possible that this and the original-gum example are the only two completely sound unused examples of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Invert.

Census No. 121b-UNC-02. Ex Colonel Stillwell (Siegel Sale 413, sold by order of U.S. Trust Co.). Acquired by the current owner in our 1975 Rarities sale. With 2014 P.F. certificate.

Click here for a census of the unused 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue Inverts: https://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/30c_Unused.pdf

FINE-VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS 1918 24-CENT INVERTED "JENNY" ERROR. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS STAMP IN AMERICAN PHILATELY.

The original sheet of one hundred Inverted Jenny errors was purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, the first day the stamps went on sale in all three principal airmail route cities: Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. Robey bought the sheet for its $24 face value at the New York Avenue Post Office window in the District of Columbia. On Sunday, May 19, Robey agreed to give Eugene Klein, a prominent Philadelphia stamp dealer, a one-day option to buy the sheet for $15,000. Klein exercised his option on Monday, May 20, in a late afternoon phone call, and he confirmed it with a registered letter to Robey sent in the evening mail. The sheet was delivered to Klein’s office by Robey and his father-in-law on the following day, Tuesday, May 21, 1918.

No later than Monday, May 20, the day Klein exercised his option, he had arranged to sell the sheet for $20,000 to Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Half of the $5,000 profit went to Klein’s partners, Percy McGraw Mann and Joseph A. Steinmetz. Klein was then authorized by Colonel Green to divide the sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks.

Despite the great rarity and value of Inverted Jenny stamps, many of the original hundred have been mistreated by collectors over the years. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Eight straight-edge copies that Klein was unable to sell and returned to Colonel Green were found in Green’s estate stuck together in an envelope (they were soaked and lost their gum). Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and one was physically Scotch-taped to an exhibit page. Another was nearly lost to philately forever when it was swept up in a vacuum cleaner.

The stamp offered here -- Position 15 -- was owned by John H. Clapp, scion of a wealthy Pennsylvania oil family. He passed away in 1940 and shortly afterward his entire stamp collection was sold to dealer Spencer Anderson for $100,000. Soon after, Anderson, whose pencil initials appear on the back, sold the Inverted Jenny to Louise Hoffman for a reported price of $2,500. Hoffman formed an important Air Post collection and held her Inverted Jenny for the next two decades. The stamp was included in the sale of her collection in 1966, where it realized $9,000, selling to Robert A. Siegel, who was likely acting as an agent for collector Dr. Drew B. Meilstrup. It next sold in the 1973 Siegel auction of the Meilstrup collection to an anonymous buyer. It has made only three other auction appearances since 1973, selling in 1997 to dealer Irwin Weinberg. The purple ink marks were not present when it was offered in 1997.

Ex Colonel Edward H. R. Green, John H. Clapp, Spencer Anderson (dealer), Louise Hoffman and Dr. Drew B. Meilstrup. Pencil "15" position number (written by Eugene Klein on all 100 positions) and "SA" (Spencer Anderson) initials on back. With 2010 P.F. certificate

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE $2.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE.

This issue was printed from only one printing plate -- Plate 84. Lewis Kaufman's records contain only five plate blocks of this issue -- all are described as the Dark Blue shade: 1) top plate block of six, from our 1986 Rarities sale and offered here, 2) the plate block offered in the following lot, from our 1985 Rarities sale and ex Wampler, 3) top plate block of six, offered in our 1967 Rarities sale and illustrated in Durland book, 4) top plate block, regummed, ex Simon (1975 Siegel sale), and 5) top plate block, selvage partly separated and rejoined, offered in Oct. 1974 Siegel sale and more recently in the Newport collection.

With 1971 P.F. certificate

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINER OF THE TWO RECORDED ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCKS OF SIX OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST RECORDED INTACT MULTIPLE. THIS BLOCK IS THE ONLY ONE WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CASPARY AND EUBANKS 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COLLECTIONS AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSIC UNITED STATES BLOCKS EXTANT.

The contract for the 1869 Pictorial Issue was awarded to National Bank Note Co. in February 1869 by the outgoing Johnson administration (Grant was inaugurated March 4, 1869). Three of the ten stamps had traditional portraits: the 1c Franklin, 6c Washington and 90c Lincoln. The other values represented a radical departure from the portraiture of all previous issues, depicting scenes of fast communication and historical events.

Contemporary critical review was unexpectedly negative. While preceding issues had been current for 7 to 10 years and the 1870 Bank Note issue lasted 18 years, not even a year was given to the 1869 Pictorial Issue. For the 90c, the portrait of Lincoln was admired, but the "prison bars" behind his head were criticized.

The 90c stamps were intended to be used on heavy domestic packages or on multiple-rate mail to foreign destinations. Given the high cost of the stamp (equivalent to $14.33 in today's money), the 90c 1869's were not bought in any quantity to be stored and used later, as was the case with lower-denomination stamps. With the reduction in many foreign treaty rates, the 90c could only be used on multiple-rate letters. The short lifespan of the 1869 Pictorial Issue closed the window of opportunity for the public to buy the 90c Lincoln stamps at the post office.

Only one 90c on cover is recorded: the famous "Ice House" cover, sold by the Siegel firm for $375,000 hammer. There are two recorded unused blocks of six, the largest recorded unused multiples: 1) full original gum, sound, the block offered here, ex Caspary, Kapiloff and Joseph, and 2) traces of original gum, slightly dry print at right, right center stamp small thin spot, perfs strengthened and rejoined, ex Hind, Bechtel, Zoellner and Ainsworth (now in the Gross collection). There is also a reconstructed unused block of eight (ex Lafayette).

Ex Caspary, Kapiloff and Joseph. With 2010 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott Catalogue as a block of six

DESCRIPTION

10¢ Black (2), two horizontal strips of three, originally a block of six, Positions 85-87R and 95-97R, used with three singles, Positions 71R, 81R and 91R, originally a vertical strip of three, clear to huge margins on all stamps except for single at upper right which was damaged in handling (a stamp with a similar cancel has been hinged over the part stamp to enhance the cover's appearance), each with light strike of red grid cancel, matching red "PANAMA" straightline handstamp applied before the stamps were affixed on folded cover originating in Lima, Peru, and sent to Barron, Forbes & Co. in San Blas, Mexico, and on to Tepic, receipt docketing gives Lima origin and July 13, 1850, mailing date: "1850, Santiago [?], Lima 13 Julio, R 30 Octobre, C. 8 Nove"

PROVENANCE

Described in Ashbrook Scrap Book 17, p. 19 (P.F. website), with copy of 1948 letter from Jerome L. Cohen, a Tucson dealer

Col. James T. DeVoss, Sotheby Parke Bernet sale, 10/25/1978, Sale 25, lot 2166, to Ishikawa

Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 79, to Craveri

Guido Craveri, Bennett sale, 3/23/2002, lot 19, to William H. Gross

CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES

USPCS census no. 10216 https://www.uspcs.org/resource-center/censuses/1847-cover-census/

Stanley B. Ashbrook, Special Service, #11, p. 71, photo 38

Hugh J. and J. David Baker, Bakers' U.S. Classics, p. 152

Col. James T. DeVoss, "A Remarkable Cover: Largest Multiple Use of The 10-Cent 1847 Stamp Known on Cover," Chronicle 91 -- Via Panama, p. 148

Gordon Eubanks, Jr., "Covers with Three or More 1847 Stamps," Chronicle 254, fig. 2

Richard B. Graham, "Postal History and Stamps: A Colorful Combination, 1847-1861," American Philatelist, November 1978

Creighton C. Hart, "1847 Covers from Panama," Chronicle 58

Jonathan W. Rose, Classic United States Imperforate Stamps, p. 22

PHILYMPIA 1970 London International Stamp Exhibition (DeVoss), illustrated in the exhibition catalogue (p. 90)

INTERPHIL 1976 (DeVoss)

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (1999)

CONDITION NOTES

Fine appearance; stamp at upper right hinged over remnant of original stamp, some ink erosion in address and horizontal file fold with some slight splitting

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

Nine 10¢ 1847s Used Entirely Outside the United States

This astonishing cover has nine 10¢ 1847 stamps, all cut from one of the 25 sheets supplied to the U.S. mail agent in Panama, shortly after the stamps arrived. The two strips of three along the top originally formed a block of six.

The 90¢ postage paid the triple 30¢ per half-ounce rate from Panama to points along the West Coast. The cover originated in Lima, Peru, and was stamped by the U.S. mail agent and consul in Panama, Amos B. Corwine, before it was carried on a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer on the coastal route to San Francisco. Among the stops made on this route was the Mexican port city of San Blas.

Official records of 1847 stamp distribution indicate that 25 sheets of the 10¢ (2,500 stamps) were sent on June 22, 1850, to Corwine in Panama, and received on July 16. Another 25 sheets were sent on January 17, 1851, and received March 21. The stamps on this cover come from the first supply and were used soon after they arrived. A red "PANAMA" handstamp was applied by Corwine before he affixed the stamps. A digital mirror image of the reverse side is shown.

The USPCS 1847 census lists ten covers originating in Panama. This is one of three addressed to a destination outside of the United States, including one to Mazatlan (lot 119 in this sale) and two to San Blas/Tepic. This cover is the only multiple 30¢ rate stamped cover. More significantly, it is the largest 10¢ 1847 franking on any extant cover.

Barron Forbes & Co., the recipient, was founded in the 1820s and became one of the region's leading trade, banking and mercantile enterprises. According to historian Howard Gulick, "during the period from 1846 to 1853 the company controlled the port of San Blas by corrupting the customs employees to such an extent that it was practically impossible for anybody but the company to import goods profitably."

VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR PAIR OF COVERS BEARING MATCHING HALVES OF THE SAME 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMP, EACH USED WITH A STRIP OF FOUR ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMPS FROM PLATE ONE EARLY TO PAY THE 10-CENT TREATY RATE TO CANADA -- ONE ORIGINATING IN CUBA AND THE OTHER IN NEW YORK CITY. THESE EXTRAORDINARY COVERS ARE AMONG THE GREATEST ITEMS IN CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND POSTAL HISTORY.

The pair of covers offered here is remarkable in several respects. To begin, these covers were stamped in New York City on August 21, 1851, using the new 1851 Issue, which was released just seven weeks earlier on July 1 (the earliest documented date of use of the 12c 1851 is August 4, 1851). Further, the use of a 12c bisect to pay part of the 10c treaty rate to Canada is highly unusual. Although the 10c treaty rate took effect on April 6, 1851, the U.S. Post Office Department did not issue a 10c stamp until 1855, so the 10c rate was usually made up with 1c and 3c stamps. We are aware of three covers to the province of New Brunswick with 12c 1851 bisects used with 1c and 3c 1851 stamps, but no other covers are known with strips of the 1c used with a bisect or mailed at this early date. This is the earliest documented use of a 12c bisect, and the use of bisects was prohibited in late 1853. Finally, the unusual circumstance of mailing -- mailed on the same day by the same person to the same addressee, but originating from two different correspondents -- provides a fascinating explanation for the two identical frankings and use of matching halves of the same 12c stamp.

We have been unable to learn anything of substance about the addressee, Thomas Casey. The notation at the lower left of the cover from Havana either reads "v/ New York" (via New York) to describe the route or "of New York" to describe the addressee's residence. An internet search for Thomas Casey in New York City or in Quebec during the relevant time period failed to produce any information. We can surmise that the senders conducted business with Thomas Casey, and we know something about their businesses. Drake Brothers & Company was a large New York-based trading firm founded in the 1790's by British-born immigrant James Drake. The firm traded in sugar, coffee, jerked beef and precious metals, and it owned one of the largest plantations in Cuba, in collaboration with the United States Mail Steamship Company (Richard P. Tucker, Insatiable Appetite: The United States and the Ecological Degradation of the Tropical World). Henry A. Coit was also a New York-based merchant and served as a director on at least one insurance company's board (New York Times digital archives).

Drake Brothers & Company's connection to the United States Mail Steamship Company (USMSC) gives us a clue about how the cover travelled from Cuba to New York City. According to United States Incoming Steamship Mail 1847-1875 (page 342), the USMSC Cherokee arrived in New York on August 21, 1851, after departing Havana around August 17. The previous sailing from Havana left on August 2, before the Drake Brothers letter was written on August 7 (per receipt docketing). Although no forwarder marking appears on either cover, they were almost certainly handled by an agent in New York City, who would have had instructions to forward letters to Thomas Casey in Quebec. Beneath the stamps on each letter is a pencil "10", indicating the rate for a letter to Canada. This type of notation is typical of mail handled by forwarding agents.

The two covers were together when they first appeared in the January 1900 auction of the F. W. Hunter collection, held by Scott Stamp & Coin Co. They went separate ways after the 1900 Hunter sale, but the covers were illustrated and described in Ashbrook's Special Service in 1952 (pages 98, 106-107 and 163, photos 47 and 75), at which point they were still apart in different collections. In an article by Mortimer L. Neinken in the May 1970 Chronicle (No. 66, page 63-65), he recapped the history of the two covers (quoting Ashbrook) and coyly noted "this commentator has ascertained that the two covers are now reunited in one collection again." In fact, it was Mortimer Neinken who reunited the covers when he bought one in 1961 and the other in 1970.

The former cover with upper right bisect is known as the "Emerson" cover and its pedigree is as follows: ex F. W. Hunter (Scott Stamp & Coin Co. sale, Jan. 10-12, 16-18, 1900, lots 189-190), W. A. Smith, Spiegelberg (J. C. Morgenthau sale, Jan. 10, 1911, lot 15), Barry (Nassau Stamp Co. sale, Apr. 2-3, 1914, lot 84), Judge Robert S. Emerson (Daniel F. Kelleher Co. sale, Oct. 19, 1937, lot 78), Philip H. Ward private collection (per Ashbrook's Special Service, Feb. 1, 1953), H. R. Harmer sale (Feb. 17, 1970, lot 156) and Mortimer L. Neinken (acquired by Jerome S. Wagshal privately from the Neinken estate).

The latter cover with lower left bisect is known as the "Hind" cover and its pedigree is as follows: ex F. W. Hunter (Scott Stamp & Coin Co. sale, Jan. 10-12, 16-18, 1900, lots 189-190), Arthur Hind (Phillips-Kennett sale, Nov. 20, 1933, lot 145), Carl Brandenbury (Percy Doane sale, Dec. 6, 1943, lot 76), John A. Fox sale (Dec. 12, 1961, lot 582) and Mortimer L. Neinken (acquired by Jerome S. Wagshal privately from the Neinken estate).

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 12-PENCE BLACK ON LAID PAPER - A FABLED RARITY AND ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DESIRABLE CLASSIC STAMPS.

The first Pence Issues of Canada were printed by the New York firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, the same firm that printed the New York Postmaster's Provisional and United States 5c and 10c 1847 Issue. The Pence issues, and particularly the 12-pence, show the same fine quality of engraving that distinguishes the U.S. 1847 Issue. The original die was engraved by Alfred Jones based upon the Chalon portrait - which was also used on stamps of the Australian States Queensland and Tasmania, Bahamas, New Zealand among other British colonies. The stamps were printed early in 1851 (12p issued June 14), at the same time that RWH&E's contract for providing United States stamps was coming to an end.

A total of 50,000 stamps were printed from 250 sheets of 200 subjects (two panes of 100). Only 1,450 examples were sold with the balance being destroyed. Our Census records a total of eighteen original gum singles and four pairs (another pair is thought to possibly exist). While others may have similarly large margins, few compare to the incredible depth of impression this stamp exudes.

Census No. 3-OG-10. From Weill Stock and ex Sir Gawaine Baillie. With 1959 R.P.S. certificate. SG £200,000. Unitrade C$300,000.00

EXTREMELY FINE GEM AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN COMPLETELY SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FOUR LARGE MARGINS. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.

The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law's effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.

With 2011 P.F. certificate

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE 2. THIS PHENOMENAL MULTIPLE CONTAINS THE ONLY TWO STAMPS ON THE PLATE THAT ARE NOT TYPE II. IT ALSO CONTAINS TWO OF THE MOST PRONOUNCED DOUBLE TRANSFERS ON ANY CLASSIC UNITED STATES PRINTING PLATE, ONE OF WHICH IS THE FAMOUS POSITION 99R2. A MULTIPLE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER OF RARITY.

Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2).

Guide dots were used to correctly lay out the spacing for the plate. According to the Neinken book, Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line. The misplaced dot was accidentally used and the bed of the press was moved too far, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. "The original entry of Position 99R was out of place and so it was erased or burnished out, but seemingly no attempt was made to erase the parts of the A Relief transferred into the bottom of Position 89R."

When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).

With copy of 1981 P.F. certificate. From our 1981 Rarities sale and offered to the market for the first time in 31 years. Scott Retail as block of four of No. 7 and pair of these positions

ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE EIGHT AVAILABLE COVERS BEARING A SINGLE 5-CENT HAWAIIAN MISSIONARY STAMP AND ONE OF TWO RECORDED MISSIONARY COVERS WITH A FORWARDER’S HANDSTAMPED MARKING.

Ten 5c Missionary covers are recorded in our census and the Gregory census. Included in this total are the Dawson 2c/5c cover and the 5c cover acquired by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in the Honolulu Advertiser sale, leaving eight 5c covers for collectors. Of the 28 recorded intact Missionary covers, only two were handstamped by forwarders: the Porter & Ogden cover (ex Honolulu Advertiser, offered in the 2013 Rarities of the World sale) and the G. D. Gilman cover offered here. This is the only recorded example of this G. D. Gilman” handstamp.

Gorham D. Gilman (1822-1909) was a prominent Hawaiian businessman who returned to the U.S. in 1862 and served as Hawaiian Consul in Boston. After applying the forwarder marking, Gilman mailed this cover at Lahaina. It was datestamped at Honolulu on October 4 (1852), the same day as the Dawson cover and a 13c Missionary cover (3-I-COV-142). All of the October 4 mail was probably carried from Honolulu to San Francisco on the Mary A. Jones, which cleared customs on October 4, 1852 (The Friend, October 8), and sailed the following day. The ship arrived in San Francisco on October 26, after a reported journey of 21 days (Daily Alta California, October 27).

According to the Daily Alta California (October 27, 1852), the PMSC Northerner and California were brought down from Benicia in newly painted” condition on October 26 and 27, respectively. The Northerner was scheduled to depart on Saturday, October 30, and the California on Monday, November 1. This and the 13c Missionary cover with the October 4 Honolulu datestamp have San Francisco November 1 datestamps, whereas the Dawson cover with the U.S. 3c 1851 pair has an October 27 San Francisco datestamp. The two Missionary covers without U.S. stamps affixed required an extra step to account for U.S. postage and the ship letter fee. After making the necessary accounting entries, they were datestamped and bagged for the Panama departure. The November 1 date was inserted into the San Francisco datestamp to correspond with the sailing of the California, but the actual application of the marking could have occurred days earlier.

The California arrived on November 16. All of the mail was carried across the isthmus to Aspinwall, and from there it left on the U.S. Mail Steamship Company’s Georgia, which departed Aspinwall on November 18 and arrived in New York on November 28, after stopping at Kingston, Jamaica. According to the Weekly Herald report, the Georgia arrived in New York with the largest load of California gold ever transported. The Georgia was under the command of the famous American naval officer, Admiral David Dixon Porter, who at the time held the rank of lieutenant and worked as a civilian for the U.S. Mail Steamship Company.

Ex George H. Worthington (pencil code 3/15/93 Scott Auction UHN SS”), Alfred F. Lichtenstein, Frank Godden, Emmerson C. Krug, Adm. Frederic R. Harris, Charles F. Meroni, David Golden, Guido Craveri, Tito Giamporcaro, Lake Shore” and Walske. Red Kohler” handstamp at bottom right.

Siegel Census No. 2-I-COV-70. Gregory Census No. 5c-3 (Figure 19-10). With 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

For an introduction to the Hawaiian Missionaries: https://siegelauctions.com/2013/1045/Missionaries.pdf

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.

The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Inverts. It is surmised that approximately 200 were issued through the post office, with two distinct shades known. Estimates of surviving examples range from an early count (1945) of 55 unused and 2-3 used to the 1998 Datz estimate of 150 unused, 3-5 used and a block of four intact. Our Levi records contain the intact block (4), reconstructed block (4), 64 unused singles and 6 used singles, for a total of 72 unused and 6 used. Many of the unused singles have disturbed gum or no gum, and/or are off center to top or top left. This Extremely Fine sound stamp with original gum is among the finest known examples.

Ex Drucker. With 1988 and 2002 P.F. certificates. Scott footnote states "Almost all unused copies of No. 295a have partial or disturbed gum. Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed." The stamp offered here has fresh lightly-hinged gum.

EXTREMELY FINE GEM IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE STRIP OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. IN OUR OPINION, IT IS THE FINEST-QUALITY PLATE NUMBER MULTIPLE.

The $5.00 plate number block of eight is believed to be unique; therefore, a strip of four is the only practical means to show the complete imprint and plate number with plate letters.

Ex "Argentum" (Dr. Graves). With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates

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, "Lafayette" and Gross (Scott #9a; $235,000.00).

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF 90 BY P.S.E.

The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Inverts. It is surmised that approximately 200 were issued through the post office, with two distinct shades known. Estimates of surviving examples range from an early count (1945) of 55 unused and 2-3 used to the 1998 Datz estimate of 150 unused, 3-5 used and a block of four intact. Our Levi records contain the intact block offered in this sale (4), a reconstructed block offered in our Zoellner sale (4), 64 unused singles and 6 used singles, for a total of 72 unused and 6 used. Many of the unused singles have disturbed gum or no gum, and/or are off center to top or top left.

With 1976 and 1993 P.F. certificates and 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90). The Scott Catalogue value is for a stamp with slightly disturbed gum.

VERY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT "SOUTHERN LETTER UNPAID" COVER FRANKED WITH A COMBINATION OF THE NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL -- USED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF ISSUE -- AND THE UNITED STATES 3-CENT 1857 ISSUE, WHICH WAS REJECTED BY THE LOUISVILLE POST OFFICE. ONLY ONE OTHER SUCH COMBINATION IS RECORDED, AND THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO. AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT FROM SEVERAL PERSPECTIVES.

This folded notice of Protest was dated June 14, 1861, by the notary public in New Orleans, Octave de Armas, and mailed to James Lester in Eddyville, Kentucky. It was probably postmarked at the New Orleans post office on the following day (June 15), but this type of circular datestamp (with large serif letters) is often difficult to read, in this instance, the day of the month is illegible. By the time this letter reached Nashville on or about June 17, the U.S. mail agent had already been withdrawn from the route between Nashville and Louisville (the last regular mail run was on June 12). On June 15, the Nashville postmaster, W. D. McNish, started to forward mail to Louisville by using the American Letter Express Company, who brought the mails across the lines and deposited them in the Louisville post office. This letter was among the first group of mail forwarded by express under this unusual arrangement.

Starting June 13, the Louisville postmaster, Dr. John J. Speed, decided to hold the northbound mail received from Nashville, rather than divert it to the U.S. Dead Letter Office. Speed sent a request to Washington D.C. for instructions on how to handle the mail that was rapidly accumulating. When this letter arrived in Louisville on June 19, it was held until Postmaster Speed received instructions from the U.S. Post Office Department, which were wired on June 24, advising him to "forward letters from the South for the loyal states as unpaid after removing postage stamps..." Since it was impractical to remove stamps from all of the letters (although apparently that was attempted at first), Postmaster Speed created the "Southn. Letter Unpaid" marking to explain to the addressees that the U.S. stamps applied by the senders were invalid for postage. The first group of mail to be released with the "Southn. Letter Unpaid" marking was actually the mail received at Louisville by private express between June 17 and 25, which included the cover offered here. This group was released on June 25, but none of these letters was postmarked with the Louisville datestamp.

There are 29 "Southn. Letter Unpaid" covers recorded in the Special Routes book (No. 25 has been deleted as a fake since publication), only two of which have a Southern Postmaster's Provisional stamps (both New Orleans). There is one other New Orleans provisional cover known that was addressed to Louisville, carried by American Letter Express from Nashville, but it bears only the "Due 3" marking and was not marked "Southn. Letter Unpaid" because it was delivered locally in Louisville.

Special Routes Census No. SLU-14. Illustrated in National Philatelic Museum 1857 Perforation Centennial book and Special Routes (p. 17). Ex Worthington, Caspary, Lightner, Matz, Haas, Ishikawa and Walske. With 2010 P.F. certificate

VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING A STRIP OF FOUR OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL. THIS OUTSTANDING COVER HAS NOT BEEN SEEN PUBLICLY SINCE 1936.

In his outstanding series of Chronicle articles on the New York Postmaster's Provisional, Philip T. Wall offered his opinion on the five most outstanding New York covers (Chronicle 107, pp. 153-155). In addition to the famous Hasbrouck cover with a block of nine and a strip of three, and the cover front with a pair of stamps initialed "MMJr", Wall selected the three covers with strips of four that were known to him to still exist. This cover, the fourth known with a strip of four, was pictured in another Wall article (Chronicle 111, p. 153), but its whereabouts was unknown at the time. It is one of three ex-Lapham rarities described by Wall as "phantoms," which, unbeknownst to him, were residing in the Frelinghuysen collection.

Henry G. Lapham displayed this cover in his exhibit of New York provisionals at the 1926 New York exhibition and at the Collectors Club of New York in April 1928. Henry's son Raymond included this cover in his Grand Award exhibit at the 1936 TIPEX exhibition. After Henry's death in 1939, Frelinghuysen acquired the cover, along with other rare provisionals, when Warren H. Colson sold portions of the Lapham collection privately.

There are four known New York Postmaster's Provisional covers with strips of four, as follows in order of use: 1) Positions 31-34, New York Oct. (1845) circular datestamp, used to Cincinnati O., double 10c rate, ex Hart, Klep, Chafee and Jaretzky, 2) Positions 6-9, New York March 17 (1846) circular datestamp, used to Geneva N.Y., double 10c rate, ex Grunin and Zoellner, 3) Positions 32-35, New York Jun. 2 (1846) circular datestamp, used to Marietta O., double 10c rate, ex Lapham, the cover offered here, and 4) Positions 37-40, New York Sep. 13 (1846) circular datestamp, used to Fort Wayne Ind., double 10c rate, ex Seybold, Hart and Gibson.

Ex Lapham.

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue. As a point of reference, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only two OG examples: one Mint N.H. stamp at VF 80 and one OGph stamp at 20(!).

Ex Argentum (where it realized $32,500 hammer in our 1999 auction). With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates

DESCRIPTION

$2.00 Dark Blue (277a), full top "BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING" imprint and plate number 84 block of six, bottom side stamps hinge remnants, tiny hinge slivers are barely noticeable and placed as a preventive measure, unusually choice centering throughout, rich color

PROVENANCE

Order of U.S. Trust Company, H. R. Harmer 1/19/1971, lot 306

Siegel Auction Galleries, 1986 Rarities of the World, 4/5/1986, lot 187

"MLG" collection, Siegel Auction Galleries, 4/21/2009, lot 1167, to William H. Gross

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (1971)

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine

SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)

$85,000.00

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

A Gem Quality "Little Jemmy" Plate Block

The $2.00 regular issue designed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1894 was the first stamp to depict this Founding Father and the nation's fourth president, James Madison, whose diminutive stature earned him the unflattering nickname "Little Jemmy." This was also the first $2.00 regular issue (preceded by the Columbian $2.00 stamp).

The die was engraved by Lyman F. Ellis and George F. C. Smillie. It was printed from one printing plate--Plate 84. Lewis Kaufman's records contain five plate blocks of this stamp (all described as the Dark Blue shade), but only three are free of serious condition problems, which are noted below:

1) Full top plate block of 6, 1986 Rarities of the World sale and "MLG" collection, offered in this sale

2) Bottom plate block of 6, 1985 Rarities of the World sale, ex Wampler and "MLG" collection

3) Wide top plate block of 6, 1967 Rarities of the World sale, illustrated in Durland book

4) Top plate block of 6, regummed, ex Simon (1975 Siegel sale)

5) Full top plate block of 6, selvage partly separated and rejoined, October 1974 Siegel sale and more recently in the 2008 "Newport" sale (Weiss).

VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED WESTBOUND PONY EXPRESS COVERS DELAYED DUE TO THE PAIUTE INDIAN WAR IN 1860, OF WHICH TWO HAVE FREE FRANKS.

As recently documented in The Impact of Indian Attacks on the Pony Express in 1860 (published by our firm and available on our website at LINK), even when service in California and Nevada was suspended from June 1 to July 6, 1860, the Pony Express continued to run horses in both directions on a shortened route between St. Joseph and Ruby Valley. The westbound mail addressed to California that left St. Joseph on May 20, May 27, June 3 and June 10 (all Sunday departures) was carried as far west as possible and held until a military escort could accompany the riders beyond the dangerous part of the route. Five covers are recorded with these departure dates, one of which also left on June 3, but was delivered to a military offer at Camp Floyd near Salt Lake City.

The westbound trip departing from St. Joseph on Sunday, June 10, was the last scheduled Sunday departure, and it made it through to California after catching up with the three earlier mails. The Mountaineer 6/16/1860 reports the arrival of an express from the East in Salt Lake City at 8 p.m. on June 15, which fits with the June 10 departure. The Daily Alta California 6/24/1860 contains a report from Carson City dated June 23, which states, "The long missing Pony Express arrived at Carson City last evening, bringing dates from St. Louis to June 10th." The San Francisco Bulletin 6/25/1860 reported The Pony Express will arrive here to-night about 10 o’clock, on board the Sacramento steamer. The Express will bring four several letter-bags -- the number now due -- and will have altogether 300 letters, at least" (boldface added for emphasis). This report confirms that the four delayed express mails -- May 20, May 27, June 3 and June 10 -- arrived in San Francisco on June 25.

How did the express with the four mails, including the cover offered here, travel to Carson City? The military escort of "20 picked men, well armed and mounted," which guarded the May 25 eastbound mail through hostile territory after they left Carson City on June 9, passed through Roberts' Creek on June 15, as reported by an army private named Charles A. Scott in his journal. The convoy moved at a rate of approximately 40 miles per day, obviously a much slower pace than an individual Pony rider could achieve. The timing strongly indicates that the westbound mail, which had accumulated in the safe zone for weeks, was carried to Carson City with the same military escort on its return trip. The westbound express reached Carson City during the evening of June 22 (Daily Alta California 6/24/1860). Six days of travel points to a June 16 or 17 departure from somewhere near Ruby Valley, where the 4th Artillery had set up their base of operations.

Senator Milton S. Latham went to California in 1850 and was elected to Congress on the 1852 Democratic ticket. After his term expired, he declined to run for re-election and served as collector for the port of San Francisco. In 1859 he was elected governor, but he resigned five days after taking office to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when Senator David C. Broderick was killed in a duel. It was during his term as a U.S. senator that Latham franked this cover addressed to his friend and fellow Democrat, General James W. Denver, who was the former territorial governor of Kansas, state senator and U.S. congressman, and who would be commissioned as a general in the Union army at the start of the Civil War.

Senator Latham was a friend of William H. Russell, the Central Overland California & Pike’s Peak Express Co. president, and a strong supporter of COC&PP in their effort to secure the contract for the Central Route. He was among the few individuals later permitted to send Pony Express letters free of charge. In this case Senator Latham’s free frank applied to the $5.00 Pony Express rate and U.S. postage. There are 15 recorded Pony Express covers with any form of free frank for postage or express charges. Of these, six are signed by Latham (FKW E94, W3, W5, W7, W48 and W62). The eastbound cover (E94) has the San Francisco Running Pony oval. Three of the westbound Latham covers have the St. Joseph Running Pony oval (W3, W5 and W7), and two have the oval within circle datestamp (W48 and W62). The cover offered here is one of two recorded Latham free-franked covers delayed by the Paiute Indian War (the other is dated May 27, FKW W5).

FKW Census W6. Ex Salzer, Vogel, Walske and Stach

***New to this List***

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE CHARLESTON 10-CENT PRESS-PRINTED PALMETTO TREE PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE, USED DURING A SHORTAGE OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL ISSUES.

After graduation from Princeton University, Alfred Huger returned to Charleston to run his plantation. Huger received his postmaster appointment from President Andrew Jackson on December 19, 1834, and he served until Federal occupation in February 1865. Huger was postmaster in July 1835 when sacks of mail containing abolitionist literature from the North were burned by a pro-slavery mob. After the war Huger declined President Andrew Johnson's offer of reappointment as a U.S. postmaster.

Huger issued press-printed typographic provisional envelopes in the summer of 1861, probably close to the earliest known date of August 16 (Calhoun census). The lithographed adhesive provisional stamp followed in early September 1861. Lithography was used by only three postmasters to print provisional stamps (Charleston, Livingston and Mobile). The first supply of Confederate General Issue stamps was placed on sale on December 7, 1861, and the provisionals were withdrawn from sale. However, provisionals purchased by the public prior to withdrawal continued to be used concurrently with the General Issues. In June and July 1862 the Charleston post office ran short of General Issue stamps, and provisionals were re-released. The latest recorded use of a Charleston provisional is dated August 5, 1862, with a mixed franking of the 5c De La Rue Print (Scott 6) and 5c adhesive (Richard L. Calhoun, "Inventory of Charleston, South Carolina, Postmaster Provisionals," Confederate Philatelist, Jan.-Feb. 1989).

It is reported that the stamps and envelopes were printed by the large Charleston-based printing firm of Evans and Cogswell. According to https://www.csa-scla.org : "...Evans & Cogswell Printing Company was retained as printers to the Secession Convention, and daily printed the minutes of the Convention in S.C., and printed the documents that communicated the secession to the other Southern States. The Ordinance of Secession, one of the most fateful and fatal documents in America's history, was lithographed by Evans & Cogswell. During the War Between the States, Evans and Cogswell printed small denomination currency, Government bonds, the Soldier's Prayer Book, books on war tactics, stamps, and medical books for the Confederacy."

This Palmetto Tree design is unique among Southern Postmasters' Provisionals. On this entire -- the sole surviving example -- the woodcut is printed in dark blue, identical in shade and impression to the 5c provisional envelope stamp issued in August 1861. The circular datestamp is struck at the center of the upper half of the entire. Charleston did not have a separate cancelling device and used the datestamp to cancel adhesive stamps, therefore, the position of the complete datestamp on this entire confirms the presence of the printed provisional at upper right and precludes the removal of an adhesive stamp from the envelope.

The first Charleston provisionals were the press-printed 5c envelopes issued in August 1861 and used consistently until the estimated 5,000 prepared were sold out in November 1861 (dates range from August 16 to November 12, 1861). Approximately 25,000 5c adhesive stamps were produced and placed on sale as early as September 1861 (earliest recorded date is September 4). Both provisionals were used concurrently with the handstamped "Paid" markings, but the surcharge on the price of provisionals made the stamps and envelopes less popular with the public. When the General Issues were finally received and put on sale on December 7, 1861, the large number of 5c provisionals still on hand was withdrawn, although they remained valid for prepayment.

In June 1862 the supply of 5c General Issues available at the Charleston post office was running low, and Postmaster Huger authorized the renewed sale of provisionals. More than a dozen examples of the 5c provisional stamp are known used in the months of June, July and August 1862. The handstamped "Paid" marking was also used again briefly in June 1862 after having been previously retired in December 1861. The rate increase from 5c to 10c for any distance became effective July 1, 1862, during this shortage of General Issues. Charleston covers are recorded in early July 1862 with the 5c Blue Lithograph and 10c Rose Lithograph stamps, but these are scarce, indicating that only a small supply of the newer General Issues was available. Further evidence of the shortage is an August 5, 1862, cover with a combination of the 5c De La Rue stamp and 5c provisional for the 10c rate. A supply of press-printed 10c envelopes from an earlier printing was probably released in anticipation of the July 1862 rate change and in response to the shortage of General Issues. The provisional envelope's great rarity is probably due to the arrival of 10c Rose stamps in July 1862, which are found on covers dated July 3, 4, 5 and continuing on with frequency until replaced by the De La Rue and Richmond 5c printings.

This unique example of the 10c Palmetto Tree entire was discovered by the late Dr. Don Preston Peters of Lynchburg, Virginia, in an original correspondence to A. O. Norris at Anderson Court House, South Carolina. Norris was a newspaper publisher and, after the war, a probate judge. The receipt docketing indicates that the sender was J. H. Johnson. There was an ordnance sergeant with the 10th South Carolina Infantry Regiment named J. H. Johnson, who might be the same person.

We regard this entire as one of the most important and distinctive of all Southern Postmasters' Provisionals, by virtue of its extreme rarity, the distinctive Palmetto Tree design, and as one of the few 10c provisionals issued east of the Mississippi.

Ex Dr. Peters, Heathcote, Dr. Graves and Birkinbine. With Ashbrook letter

VERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY COVERS WITH THE NASHVILLE 10-CENT PROVISIONAL, OF WHICH ONLY TWO ARE MIXED FRANKINGS WITH UNITED STATES POSTAGE. AN OUTSTANDING COVER THAT COMBINES THE RAREST ELEMENTS OF PHILATELY AND POSTAL HISTORY.

Adams Express Company was required to ensure the prepayment of government postage (Federal and Confederate), although the letter was carried outside the regular mails. Very few covers are recorded with Confederate provisional stamps or markings used in conjunction with across-the-lines express service. This group includes the provisionals of Atlanta (handstamp), Houston (handstamp), Lynchburg (press-printed entire), Memphis (adhesive), Mobile (adhesive), Montgomery (handstamp), Nashville (adhesive and handstamp) and New Orleans (adhesive).

Only three across-the-lines express covers are recorded with the Nashville 10c adhesive provisional (Special Routes Census Nos. S-AD-44, 45 and 46), all dated at Nashville on August 1. Only two of the 10c covers are mixed frankings (the third is used alone). These two Nashville 10c mixed-franking covers carried by Adams, both North-to-South usages, are the only 10c adhesive Confederate provisionals known in combination with United States postage. As such, they are quite significant artifacts from this remarkable period of postal history.

Our records contain six genuine covers with the Nashville 10c Green provisional: 1) Tied by Aug. 1 (1861) Adams Express oval, to Hardy & Bros., Norfolk Va., 2) Tied by Sep. 15, 1861, Nashville datestamp, to Shelbyville Tenn., ex Caspary, 3) 5c & 10c used together, tied by Aug. 21, 1861, Nashville datestamp, to D. Cleage, Athens Tenn., ex Caspary, Lightner, Graves and Boshwit, 4) Tied by Aug. 1 (1861) Adams Express oval, used on 3c Star Die entire to Rev. Leavenworth, Petersburg Va., ex Kilbourne and Walske, the cover offered here, 5) Tied by Aug. 1 (1861) Adams Express oval, used on 3c Star Die with additional 3c 1857, to Albert F. Ryan, Norfolk Va., ex Gallagher, and 6) Tied by "10" rate handstamp, Sep. 18, 1861, Nashville datestamp, on building corner card cover to Thos. H. Caldwell, Shelbyville Tenn., ex Needham, Kimmel, Haas and Rudy.

The addressee, Reverend Abner Johnson Leavenworth, was at this time the principal and proprietor of the Leavenworth Academy and Collegiate Seminary for Young Ladies.

Special Routes Census No. S-AD-46 (illustrated on p. 55). Illustrated in Shenfield book (p. 23). Ex Antrim (acquired by the Kilbournes in 1958), Kilbourne, Kramer and Walske. With 1999 P.F. certificate

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 FROM P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY $2.00 COLUMBIAN, AND ONLY THREE HAVE RECEIVED IT.

Typically, when a collector assembles an Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged set of Columbians, the $2.00 space remains empty to the very end due to the low supply and high demand. It is simply one of the rarest stamps of the set in this condition.

Ex Scarsdale. 1975 and 1999 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $50,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN EXISETNCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY THREE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

The $5.00 Columbian features a portrait of Columbus which was taken from the design of a contemporary medal cast in Madrid. A 50-cent coin was also minted for the Columbian Exposition based on the original medal, and the stamp's design was taken from this twice-removed design.

For many collectors, acquisition of the $5.00 Columbian represents the ultimate achievement in classic philately. When issued in 1893, this was the highest denomination and first $5.00 United States stamp. The high total face value of the dollar value Columbians represented a very significant expense to collectors and therefore sales were slow. A total of 21,844 were issued.

We could not begin to count the number of $5.00 Columbian stamps sold by the Siegel firm over 80 years. However, the number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never Hinged, examples is very limited. Due to the high face value multiples are very rare. For much of philatelic history stamps were hinged into albums. This fact, plus the lack of multiples, explains the scarcity of Mint N.H. copies. The stamp offered here is certainly a contender for the top position of any we have ever encountered.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $87,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade. The next-highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is a 90 (one copy) and then an 80 (three copies).

First, there is the 1860 campaign, represented by a cover with the famous "split rail fence" design and portrait of a beardless Lincoln, used from Chicago and stamped with 3c postage and the extremely rare Floyd's Penny Post 1c Brown (68L2).

Second, there is the familiar portrait of a bearded Lincoln as president, represented by the only known engraved printing on an envelope, of which this one example is recorded.

Third, from the other side of the war we have the famous Confederate "Hanging Lincoln" cartoon, showing the president hanging upside down from a tree limb, with his symbolic axe and fence rail tied around his neck, of which twelve examples are recorded.

Fourth, there is the envelope distributed in the days immediately following Lincoln's assassination, which shows a portrait of John Wilkes Booth with a caption that begins "Hunt the villain down" -- the only envelope design depicting the assassin Booth, of which just two examples are recorded.

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS "QUARTET" OF LINCOLN COVERS STANDS ON ITS OWN AS THE MOST OUTSTANDING GROUP OF ITS KIND EVER ASSEMBLED, OR IT COULD PROVIDE THE KEYSTONE TO AN EXPANDED COLLECTION OF LINCOLN-RELATED COVERS, WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE SPECIAL RELEVANCE AS THE NATION COMMEMORATES THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN 2011.

FRESH AND FINE. THIS IS A NEWLY-DISCOVERED 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH THE I GRILL. AS SUCH, IT IS UNIQUE AND MAY ONE DAY BE A KEY TO A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF UNITED STATES STAMPS.

At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. They are identified by Scott Catalogue by a notation prior to Scott 134, which assigns them the letters H and I. However, to date they have not been separately catalogued, as have the different grills used in 1867 and 1868 (A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills). The G Grill was used on the 1869 Pictorial Issue.

The H Grill is larger than the I Grill, measuring approximately 11-13 points wide by 14-16 points tall when the full dimensions are visible. It is found on all values from the 1c thru the 90c. The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. It is often a stronger grill impression (though many times incomplete). Students also distinguish between early and late states of the grilling device. The sizes of the grills remained the same in both states, but the characteristics of the grill points changed in different ways as the device wore away. The early state I Grill, as in the stamp offered here, has a very distinct shape to the grill points.

In 2004 we started to distinguish between the H and I Grills in our catalogue descriptions and research, in an effort to establish relative scarcity. The 1c thru 7c makes up the bulk of the population of the I Grill, but it is also known on the 10c (approximately a dozen used known), 12c (one confirmed unused copy offered here and another reported unused example), 15c (3 unused and 11 used known) and the 90c (3 used known). The recently-discovered 30c I Grill -- the listing copy offered here -- fills in a gap, leaving only the 24c value to be discovered with the I Grill.

If the Scott Catalogue editors were to be consistent in their listing policy of grills across all issues, then they would separate the H and I Grills into major catalogue numbers, as they do for the 1867-68 Grilled Issue. If this were to occur, then the rare Bank Note I Grills would take their place alongside other grilled-stamp rarities such as Nos. 80, 81, 82, 85A, 85D and 85F.

With 2011 P.F. certificate. Accompanied by photographs with notes from Ronald A. Burns, one of the foremost authorities on the Bank Note grills. Scott Retail as normal grill, with no premium for the I Grill.

FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR -- THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. THIS IS THE FIRST BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERED IN DECADES. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY MULTIPLES.

During the early stages of production of the 1908-09 Washington-Franklin stamps, the Bureau tried to solve the problem of paper shrinkage that caused off-center perforations and resulted in a large number of unusable sheets. Armstrong notes that up to twenty percent of sheets had to be discarded. The first such experiments resulted in the Bluish Paper stamps (Scott 357-366). Rag cloth was added to the wood pulp mixture, but this did not have the desired effect and the experiment was discontinued.

According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent.

Our Levi records contain a half-dozen blocks of four (none larger), but several of these may have been broken up -- the Levi records on three are from the 1950's and 1960's.

Ex "Country Gentleman" (Siegel Sale 422, November 29, 1972) and offered to the market for the first time since that sale. With unfolded 1973 P.F. certificate.

VERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

The 4c Pan-American Invert was a special printing and not regularly issued. Examples were distributed through two official channels, and the gum on the majority of stamps without "Specimen" overprint was disturbed. In fact, because the stamps were removed from mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate

EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING STAMP AND ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.

The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Inverts. It is surmised that approximately 200 were issued through the post office, with two distinct shades known. Estimates of surviving examples range from an early count (1945) of 55 unused and 2-3 used to the 1998 Datz estimate of 150 unused, 3-5 used and a block of four intact. Our Levi records contain the intact block (4), reconstructed block (4), 64 unused singles and 6 used singles, for a total of 72 unused and 6 used. Many of the unused singles have disturbed gum or no gum, and/or are off center to top or top left. This Extremely Fine sound stamp with original gum is among the finest known examples.

Ex Newport. With 1973 and 2007 P.F. certificates

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $51,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this desirable grade. As another indication of rarity, this is the first time we have offered a Mint N.H. stamp in this grade.

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE 10-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.

Our recently updated census of Scott 197 contains only 30 examples certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. Of these, seven have faults, leaving only 23 sound or potentially sound examples (some have not been examined in many years).

With 1954, 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS FANTASTIC STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY FOUR AMONG BOTH SHADES TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.

The design for the $3.00 Columbian was taken from a painting by Spanish artist Francisco Jover Casanova (1836-1890) and depicts Columbus describing his third voyage. Another of his paintings was used as the theme for the 8c Columbian.

The $3.00 Columbian is one of the most difficult of the dollar values to obtain in such choice condition. Only 24,713 were issued, which is approximately half the number of the $1.00 and $2.00. The margins are generally narrow on this denomination. The stamp offered here is the exception to the rule. It is beautifully centered, the color and paper are bright and fresh, and the gum is pristine. It is truly one of the finest in existence.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $77,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. Only one other Scott 243 and two Scott 243a (Olive Green) have equaled this grade.

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 4-CENT MARTHA WASHINGTON IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL PERF 10 AT ONE SIDE STAMPS. THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE IS PROBABLY THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE.

Our records of Scott 556b contain only four used examples. Of these, three have precancels, and one shows transitional perfs at top.

With 1993 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates

FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR -- THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 8-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF 20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

During the early stages of production of the 1908-09 Washington-Franklin stamps, the Bureau tried to solve the problem of paper shrinkage that caused off-center perforations and resulted in a large number of unusable sheets. Armstrong notes that up to twenty percent of sheets had to be discarded. The first such experiments resulted in the Bluish Paper stamps (Scott 357-366). Rag cloth was added to the wood pulp mixture, but this did not have the desired effect and the experiment was discontinued.

According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent.

Our Levi records contain five blocks of four, of which three have centering similar to the one offered here. We have no record of one after 1956 so we cannot confirm whether it is intact.

Ex "Country Gentleman" (Siegel Sale 422, November 29, 1972) and offered to the market for the first time since that sale. With unfolded 1973 P.F. certificate.

VERY FINE. A COLORFUL FIRST DAY COVER BEARING ALL SIX VALUES OF TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE THROUGH THE 10-CENT. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER WITH ALL OF THESE DENOMINATIONS. A PHENOMENAL RARITY AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSIC COMMEMORATIVE FIRST DAY COVERS EXTANT.

The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was open to the public from June 1 to November 1, 1898. The stamps were not ready in time for the opening, and the official First Day of Issue was June 17. The cover offered here was prepared by J. Murray Bartels.

First Day covers with the Trans-Mississippi Issue are rare. The following quantities are recorded or estimated by Henry Scheuer: 1c: 4-5 used alone (plus 4 in combination); 2c: 12+ used alone (plus 3 in combination); 4c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 5c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 8c: Two used alone (plus one in combination); 10c: One used alone (plus one in combination); 50c: One (used alone); $1.00: One (used alone); $2.00: None known; Combinations on First Day Covers (one known of each): a) 1c and 2c; b) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c; c) 1c, 4c, 5c; and d) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c, 8c, 10c.

Ex McCoy. With 1987 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $100,000.00

FINE. THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN IS AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND SINGLE WITH ORIGINAL GUM WE HAVE OFFERED IN OVER TEN YEARS OF AUCTIONS. ONE OF THE GREATEST UNHERALDED ORIGINAL-GUM RARITIES OF CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY. The perforated 5c 1856” Red Brown (Scott 28) stamps were made from the stock of imperforate stamps on hand in 1857 when perforations were introduced. Since these were the first 5c stamps to be put through the perforating machine, they were the first to be used, and very few unused examples survive, especially with original gum.

In the past ten years we have offered over 120,000 auction lots of primarily U.S. stamps. During that time, we have offered only one other single with original gum and the block in the following lot. In our opinion, the Scott Catalogue value for Scott 28 with original gum is far too low. The number of original-gum Scott 28 singles falls somewhere between the numbers for the Brick Red (Scott 27) and the Indian Red (Scott 28A), which catalogue $80,000.00 and $175,000.00, respectively. However, since so few have traded hands in the past ten years and since collectors are generally unaware of how rare this issue is with original gum, the catalogue value has remained largely unchanged. Ex Golin. With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificate.

VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. NO MORE THAN THREE EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITHOUT GRILL ARE KNOWN, ACCORDING TO THE ROSE BOOK. We have offered only two since our 1997 Rose sale -- one other and this copy, which appeared in our sale of the Coulter collection in 2006. Ex Coulter. With 2006 P.F. certificate

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT BRICK RED SHADE -- IN OUR OPINION, THE BRICK RED IS ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD IN SOUND CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL GUM.

Many collectors know this issue by type and shade, but fewer are aware of the order of production (or release). This state of confusion is partly due to the Scott Catalogue. The distinctive Brick Red shade of the 5c 1857 Issue comes first in the series of Scott-listed perforated 5c issues, but its true release date comes later in the sequence.

Based on dated covers, the 5c Type I shades were released in the following order: 1) Red Brown, Scott 28, EDU 8/23/1857, 2) Indian Red, Scott 28A, EDU 3/31/1858, 3) Brick Red, Scott 27, EDU 10/6/1858, 4) Brown, Scott 29, EDU 3/21/1859, almost certainly the last printing from the first 5c plate. The second 5c plate was made from a new six-relief transfer roll with the design projections cut away at top and bottom, to varying degrees. The Type II Brown was issued first (Scott 30A, EDU 5/4/1860), and the Orange Brown printing from the same plate followed about one year later (Scott 30, EDU 5/8/1861).

After surveying dozens of classic United States sale catalogues, we found approximately twenty stamps with original gum, allowing for duplicate offerings and excluding the one known original-gum block. Of the stamps we counted, about half had perfs touching two sides or were deeply cut into on one side. Almost two-thirds had stains or small faults.

With 2011 P.F. certificate.

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL IMPERFORATE UNITED STATES STAMPS.

Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate.

Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. The variety is known on the three denominations issued in 1851 -- 1c, 3c and 12c -- but not on the imperforate stamps issued in 1855 (10c) and 1856 (5c). This is the only recorded example of the 3c 1851 design printed on both sides.

Ex Alexander. Illustrated in Chronicle Vol. 123, p. 164. With 1975 and 2001 P.F. certificates

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MINT NEVER-HINGED $4.00 COLUMBIAN IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. A TRULY REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT, THIS HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES THIS GRADE.

The $4.00 Columbian depicts the two central figures in the story of Columbus -- Queen Isabella and Columbus himself. The portrait of Isabella is said to be based on a painting in Madrid, but its origins have been lost to history. The portrait of Columbus is based on a painting by the artist Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480-1556). A student of the great painter Raphael, his realistic and empathetic works, filled with distinctive sharp lines and vivid colors, were in sharp contrast to his contemporaries in Venice such as Titian and Tintoretto. He died penniless after joining a religious order. His works were unappreciated until the late 19th and early 20th Century, when he was identified as a forerunner of the Surrealists due to his inclusion of unusual symbolic references in his works. This portrait of Columbus was painted in 1512 as a commission from Domenico Malpiero, a Venetian senator and historian, and was executed shortly after the death of Columbus in 1504. It is one of the earliest portraits of Columbus (none is known to have been painted in his lifetime). This image was also used for several stamps of Chile.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $65,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade. The next-highest grade for this shade in Mint N.H. condition is an 80. For the normal shade, 95 is also the highest grade awarded to date (three in P.S.E. Population Report), followed by 90 (five in P.S.E. Population Report)