US Stamps Price Scott 114: 1869 3c Pictorial Locomotive. Page 8

3c Ultramarine on Gray Paper, Without Grill (114a var). Horizontal strip of three, distinctive deep shade on gray paper without any grill, tied by unusual geometric cancels on piece with “Brooklyn Ct. Apr. 27” (1870) circular datestamp, part of address at bottom links this piece to the Fuller correspondence, single pulled perf at right FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF THREE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON GRAY PAPER AND WITHOUT GRILL. This well-documented strip is mostly detached from the piece, which allows for examination of the thick molasses gum that is one of the characteristics of this rare variety. The 3c Gray Paper and 3c Without Grill stamps were apparently distributed in the first quarter of 1870 and a large percentage of surviving copies are found on covers mailed by insurance companies in New England (such as the Fuller correspondence). Ex Sheriff and Coulter. With 1978 and 2006 P.F. certificates. The without grill variety on gray paper is unlisted in Scott.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 4

3c Ultramarine, Double Impression (Scott 114d). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, also with prominent pre-printing paperfold, light strike of cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visible FINE. THIS IS THE LISTING COPY AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DRAMATIC WITH THE PRE-PRINTING PAPERFOLD, WHICH DID NOT RECEIVE PART OF EITHER IMPRESSION. Our list of double impressions is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put on the press a second time, when it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one. The sheet from which this stamp originated went through the press twice, and, in both cases, the pre-printing paperfold was left unfolded, resulting in an area without either impression printed. With 2006 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 5

3c Ultramarine (Scott 114). Wide margins, beautiful color and impression, bold strike of red cork cancel and part of circular datestamp at upper left, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Dr. Morris, with 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $375.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 3

3c Ultramarine, Printed on Both Sides (Scott 114e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, parts of two stamps printed at bottom, s.e. at right, cork cancel, small corner crease at top right FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ARE KNOWN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES AND THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE 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. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other. Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of this variety is known, and the impression on back is considerably weaker than the one on the stamp offered here. It is illustrated below. Illustrated in Jonathan Rose’s 1869 book where described as the only example known. With 2009 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 6

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (114), bottom sheet margin single with bright color and full, never hinged original gum, post office fresh and Very Fine. Scott price $250 for hinged Expertization: 2007 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 712

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (114), beautifully centered with unusually large margins, bright color and pristine never hinged original gum; tiny natural gum inclusion, mentioned only for strict accuracy; a choice, Extremely Fine Gem. Scott $250 for hinged Expertization: 2001 PF Certificate for a block of 4. Provenance: Enstrom.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 147

Scott #114a, 3c Ultramarine, without grill, a desirable mint example of this very rare variety, being better centered than the majority of known copies, beautiful rich color and a strong detailed impression on bright white paper, full o.g., very fine; only about twenty examples of this variety are recorded and many of those have faults or are poorly centered; 2002 and 2007 PF certificates.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 142

Scott #114, 3c Ultramarine, excellent centering within especially large margins, gorgeous rich color and an intense impression on bright white paper, blue target cancel, extremely fine and handsome; 2002 PF certificate.

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

Scott #114, 3c Ultramarine, single with bright color, cancelled by a fancy bee cancel of Adrian, Mi. (S-E #PA-I37) boldly struck, stamp with insignificant corner crease, very fine; a desirable insect cancel on the 1869 Issue; 2010 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 141

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (Scott 114), post office fresh, o.g., never hinged, Fine to Very Fine, 2004 PF certificate. Scott $250 for hinged. Estimate value $200 – 300. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1329

3c Ultramarine (Scott 114). Full stamp in a “pair” with half a stamp which is perforated down the middle, original gum, h.r., offset on gum, centered to top right, Fine and striking perforation freak, among the most dramatic we have seen on this issue

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1253

3c Ultramarine (Scott 114). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering, bright and crisp, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1252

3c Ultramarine (Scott 114). Bright color, cancelled by bold strike of Small Bee fancy cancel of Waterbury Conn. (Rohloff A-14), stamp with small faults VERY FINE STRIKE OF THE SMALL BEE FANCY CANCEL OF WATERBURY, WHICH SHOWS ALMOST THE COMPLETE DESIGN. With 2004 A.P.S. and 2011 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 139

1869, 3¢ ultramarine (Scott 114), top margin strip of three with “National Bank Note New York” complete imprint, lightly cancelled, affixed to black backing; small faults, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 204

3c Ultramarine, Vertical Two-Thirds Used as 2c (Scott 114c). Right two-thirds, tied across the cut by grid cancel on complete U.S. Internal Revenue March 1870 tax notice from Luray Va. to Cedar Point Va. also incl. “Supplemental Income Blank for Farmers” part-printed form, some splitting along folds VERY FINE. THIS NEWLY-UNEARTHED RARITY IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED INTACT TAX NOTICES BEARING THE TWO-THIRDS BISECT OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. ONE OF THE RAREST 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ITEMS. The Luray 1869 bisects were used on tax notices prepared by Frank J. Bramhall, the Assistant Assessor of the U.S. Internal Revenue office at Luray, Virginia. The notices were to be brought before him, completed and signed by the addressee. This notice to Louisa Morris in Cedar Point was mailed on April 2, 1870. The Luray notices and small pieces thereof exist with two different rates: 1c for local addressees and 2c for those outside Luray. Only two notices have 2c 1869 bisects — two halves of the same stamp (one ex Coulter and the other in the Miller collection) — each paying the 1c local rate. The others have 3c 1869 stamps cut into one-third (1c), two-thirds (2c) or two one-thirds of different stamps joined along the perfs (2c), depending on the rate. A Luray cover used on this date was described in a full paragraph on p. 114 of John N. Luff’s 1902 edition of The Postage Stamps of the United States. This was the only 3c 1869 bisect known to Luff, who references this example by the date. However, with this recently-unearthed example, there are now two intact notices used, both on the same date. The other was offered in our recent sale of the Eubanks collection. In the century following the publication of Luff’s book, two other Luray fronts (and pieces) have been discovered, as well as the 2c 1869 Luray bisects on notices and a locally-addressed 3c 1869 bisect cover from Summit N.J. (see Siegel Sale 771 of 1995, lot 951). “W.H.C.” Colson handstamp.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 300