Value of US Stamp Scott Catalogue # 73: 1861 2c Andrew Jackson National Bank Note. Page 10

1863, 2¢ black (73), an incredibly bright, fresh, and exceptionally well centered block of four with each stamp virtually perfectly centered; barely hinged original gum, cert notes a “tiny toned spot”, which is actually a totally unnoticeable natural paper inclusion of no consequence, especially on a block; Extremely Fine and choice. Scott price $4,000 for hinged IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE A FINER MINT BLOCK, WITH ITS EXTRAORDINARY CENTERING AND ITS REMARKABLE FRESHNESS. WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE UNGRILLED STAMP THAT EVEN APPROACHES IT. Expertization: 2002 PF Certificate. Provenance: Metzger, Whitman. Quite possibly the finest mint block in existence. It is no wonder that Mr. Metzger chose it to grace the frontispiece of his Black Jack exhibit.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 103

1863, 2¢ black (73), remarkably well centered with a finely etched impression and full, barely hinged original gum (if, indeed, it is hinged at all); bright, fresh and Extremely Fine. Scott price $375 Expertization: photocopy of 1999 (for a block of 4) & 2005 PF Certificates. Provenance: Enstrom.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 102

U.S.; General Issues, 1863, 2¢ Black, Double Transfer, Imprint Block of 4, #73. O.g., bottom marginal, 2 left copies show double transfer at top especially in “U.S. Postage”, small faults and slight toning, Fine appearance. Scott $4,000. Estimate value $600-700.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1103

/ U.S.; General Issues, 1863, 2¢ Black, Block of 6, #73. Middle pair n.h., vertical gum creases,”reperfed at right on pos. 2″, very fresh, Fine to Very Fine, PSE (2008) cert. Scott $4,750+. Estimate $600-700.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1104

o U.S.; General Issues, 1863, 2¢ Black, “Metzger” Shift, Scott #73. Used, “small tear, corner crease, perforation faults”, Fine to Very Fine centering, PSAG (2012) cert. Estimate $900-1,000.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1105

Scott #73, 2c Black, horizontal strip of four, exceptionally well centered, strong color and impression, light target cancels, some expertly rejoined perfs, extremely fine; a particularly handsome strip.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 120

#73f, 2c Black, printed on both sides, Inverted Impression on back, a wonderfully choice used example of this extremely rare and popular variety, one of only five examples recorded to date (four used and one unused, the latter with clipped perforations on two sides), of the five recorded, three have the image on the reverse right side up and two (this and the unused example) are inverted, the front of the stamp is exceptionally well centered and has a strong impression, neatly cancelled with a San Francisco double ring c.d.s., the reverse shows parts of two stamps, split almost equally, natural s.e. at right and just the trace of an inconsequential paper bend at bottom, nevertheless this is one of the finest examples recorded; an absolute “must” for the serious Two Cent “Black Jack” collector or exhibitor; the value for this error may well go up in the next Scott United States Specialized Catalogue, as one other example just recently realized over $30,000.00; clear 1974 and 2009 PF certificates; ex-Russo, Cunliffe.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 121

Scott #73, 2c Black, single with strong color, cancelled by a fancy 8-point star in serrate circle cancel, the cancel being particularly well struck and complete, reperforated at top, very fine cancel; an especially ornate and desirable fancy cancel on the Two Cent Black Jack; 2009 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 119

1863, 2¢ black (Scott 73), deeply etched impression amidst balanced margins, light town postmark, Extremely Fine, 2006 & 2002 PF certificates. Scott $65. Estimate value $100 – 150. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1290

2c Black, Revenue Uses (Scott 73). 15 separate documents, nice range including checks, receipts, a New York Central Railroad Co. paymaster log and a notarized statement concerning an estate, each with illegal use of a 2c Black Jack (73) as a revenue stamp, including one with three and another with two stamps, also one used in conjunction with 2c Bank Check Issue (R6c), some edge splitting or other minor flaws, Very Fine and fascinating group

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1221

2c Black (Scott 73). Slightly disturbed original gum, Very Fine and choice, a desirable stamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1220

2c Black (73). Block of ten, original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression on crisp white paper, choice centering throughout, light vertical wrinkles EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE. Most multiples such as this have been broken to feed collector demand for high-quality singles. This spectacular block was featured in our firm’s 500th sale and also in our 1983 and 1986 Rarities sales. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and pair

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 113

2c Black (Scott 73). Horizontal pair and single, intense shade, tied by targets and “Registered” straightline handstamp on orange cover with illustrated Pacific Stage Express Co. Paid printed frank to James Brennan at Nassau Street in New York, neat “San Francisco Cal. 13 Mar. 1865” double-circle datestamp, manuscript registry numbers and bold “Z Z” handstamps likely applied in New York, back of cover with manuscript inventory of stamps which were enclosed including “5 Bambers Exp., 20-2c Blk. Sandwich Islands”, etc., stamps centered to bottom, some minor soiling A FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE REGISTERED USE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK, USED TO CARRY STAMPS FROM AN EARLY DEALER. The Pacific Stage Express Co. closed in 1864, but its franked envelope was used in this instance by a San Francisco stamp dealer. The 2c stamps paid the double 3c rate for over -1/2 ounce. The registry fee was paid in cash. Ex Haas. Illustrated in Nathan book on page 157. With 1968 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 114

2c Black, Printed on Both Sides (Scott 73f). Back printed in same orientation as the front, strongly showing equal parts of four stamps, front of stamp with choice centering and grid cancel, toned at upper left EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONLY FOUR USED AND ONE UNUSED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE MOST VISUALLY APPEALING PRINTED-ON-BOTH-SIDES VARIETY WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED, WITH AN EXTREMELY STRONG IMPRESSION ON BACK SHOWING PART OF FOUR STAMPS. IT IS ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE ON THE POPULAR “BLACK JACK” ISSUE. 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 2c Black printed-on-both-sides stamps are known with the orientation of the back impression the same or inverted in relation to the design on the front, which indicates more than one sheet was printed. The inverted impression on back is a result of the sheet being turned 180 degrees before it was put on the press the second time. Our census of the 2c Black Jack printed on both sides, shown at left and available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/73f/73f.pdf , records four used and one unused example of this rarity. The example offered here shows the strongest impression on back of any known. This also is the only example with perforations on all sides that has not been reperfed. Census No. 73f-CAN-01. Ex MacKay and Metzger (where illustrated on the front cover of the catalogue). Illustrated in Brookman, Vol. II, p. 10. With 2002 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 125

2c Black (Scott 73). Intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of negative Star in Circle fancy cancel of Boston, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1990 and 1996 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 124