2007 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT DARK VIOLET EARLY TRIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE 24-CENT 1861-63 ISSUE SHADES.

The Dark Violet trial printing and Violet regular issue shades are often confused, and the Scott Catalogue adds to the confusion by putting the Dark Violet (the old Scott 60) in the Trial Color Proofs section as 70TCe, while the Violet gets a front seat as Scott 70c. In our opinion, there is no good reason to relegate the Dark Violet to the Trial Color Proof section. As a result, the stamp offered here is undercatalogued in relation to other 24c stamps of equal rarity. For example, Scott 70c has a value of $35,000.00 versus Scott 70TCe at $8,000.00.

With 2007 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER BEARING THE 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

A RARE CALENDAR OF THE 3-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT GROUP TO ASSEMBLE.

After June 23, 1860, new postal regulations prohibited postmasters from using town markings to cancel stamps. Most stamps were cancelled by other devices, such as circle of wedges, corks, etc. As this calendar illustrates, not all postmasters adhered to the new regulations.

Scott Retail of $1,098.00 does not adequately reflect the rarity of this calendar. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 LAKE TRIAL PRINTING WITH UNCOMMONLY WIDE MARGINS. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

With 1968 and 2002 P.F. certificates. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95, unpriced in SMQ) (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BUFF 1861 ISSUE.

Our sales during the past several years have contained a number of original-gum 1861-66 Issues, and we have made frequent reference to the rarity of these stamps in such choice condition. The 5c Brown Yellow and Buff are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in sound original-gum condition. Perhaps the only shade varieties rarer than the 5c Brown Yellow or Buff are the 3c Pigeon Blood Pink and 24c Blackish Violet (Scott 64a and 78c).

Ex Sheriff. With 1986 P.F. certificate. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF-XF 85, SMQ $24,000.00) (Image)

FINE. A SCARCE SOUND UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF.

With 1992 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Image)

FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 BROWN YELLOW SHADE WITH PART ORIGINAL GUM.

The 5c Brown Yellow and its shade varieties (Buff and Olive Yellow) are recognized as the rarest of 1861-66 Issue stamps in original-gum condition. We have offered less than a dozen unused examples in any condition since keeping computerized records.

With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE.

The Steel Blue shade was produced early in the series of 24c 1861 shades, and it is scarce in any condition. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than ten.

Ex Scarsdale. With 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

This is especially desirable with the blue town cancel, which leaves the entire design clearly visible. (Image)