The John F. Odeneal Collection of Mint United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS EXCEPTIONAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.

A review of auction records will demonstrate that this is not the rarest Scott number, and that it is often found in sound condition with nice centering. However, almost none would grade as highly as the example offered here, which is lightly hinged and with wide balanced margins all around.

With 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $4,250.00) (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1863 RE-ISSUE.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE -- ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE SET IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.

The 3c 1861 Re-Issue, of which 465 were sold, has the distinction of being one of the three most difficult stamps in the set to obtain in this Extremely Fine Gem original-gum condition (the others are the 24c and 30c). It is rarely found well-centered, and those in Very Fine or Extremely Fine grade usually have either disturbed gum or no gum at all.

Ex Floyd. With 1989 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A STUNNING STAMP.

Ex Engel. With 1961 and 2000 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE.

Only 451 were sold. With 1998 and 2000 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE AND BALANCED MARGINS, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO TO ATTAIN THE COVETED XF-SUPERB 95 GRADE FROM P.S.E..

Only 389 were sold. Of these, very few compare favorably to the example offered here. With 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $18,000.00). Only one other shares this grade, and only two have graded higher to date. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1866 RE-ISSUE.

Only 397 examples of the 15c 1866 Re-Issue were sold in 1875. Collectors have quickly learned to appreciate the rarity of 1861-66 Re-Issues in Extremely Fine original-gum condition. It is generally accepted that the 3c, 24c and 30c are the most difficult of the series to obtain in the highest grades. We would also place the 15c in that group. This stamp -- with its choice centering, original gum, intense shade and overall brilliance -- ranks among the finest examples extant.

With 1986 P.F. and 1994 P.S.E. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFULLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE 1861-66 RE-ISSUES. THE 24-CENT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE IN THIS SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

The quantity issued for the 24c 1861 Re-Issue (346) is close in number to several lower values, including the 12c and 15c (389 and 397, respectively). However, the 24c is scarcer and appears less frequently at auction. It is also one of the three values most difficult to obtain in choice original-gum condition (the others are the 3c and 30c).

With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE FOR THIS ISSUE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, WHICH IS ARGUABLY THE MOST CHALLENGING OF THE 1861-66 RE-ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUPERIOR GRADES.

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

With 2000 P.F. and 2000 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80, SMQ $7,500.00). The P.S.E. has certified one 90 and one 85. In our opinion, this deserves a VF-XF 85 grade (according to the P.S.E.'s published standards) (Image)