US Stamp Values Scott 125: 1875 3c Pictorial Re-issue Locomotive. Page 1

USA (Scott 125) 1875 RE-ISSUE 1869 LOCOMOTIVE 3¢ BLUE Rich color, disturbed original gum, previously hinged, reperforated at top, fine appearance. Scarce, only 1,406 sold. Cat $5000.

Regency-Superior, Aug 2015, Sale 112, Lot 287

Scott #125, 3c Blue re-issue, a wonderfully fresh and choice mint example of this rare re-issue, possessing intensely rich color and a razor-sharp impression on pristine white paper, uncommonly well centered as well, full fresh original gum, relatively lightly hinged, very fine and remarkable choice; only 1,406 issued; 1986 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 151, Lot 118

Scott #125, 3c Blue re-issue, the scarcest value of the 1869 Pictorial re-issues, fresh with full o.g., full perforations all around, fine centering, only 1,406 of this value sold; 2006 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 151, Lot 119

Scott #125, 3c Blue re-issue, attractive mint example, nicely centered for this difficult value, bright and fresh, original gum which is a bit disturbed from hinge removal (accompanying certificate states “traces of original gum” which is clearly not the case), fine and scarce; only 1,406 stamps sold, most of which were used and lost to philately; 2001 APS certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 151, Lot 120

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, crisp impression VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. Only 1,406 were sold. With 2001 and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF 80)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2015, Sale 1100, Lot 31

125, 1875 3c Blue re-issue,o.g., with tiny sealed tear in first perforation hole at top left and reperforated at left, Fine centering, 2008 PF certificate (Scott value $5,000) 

H.R. Harmer, Jun 2015, Sale 3007, Lot 3199

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 3¢ blue (Scott 125), unused without gum, brilliantly colored 1875 re-issue with sharp clear impression; among the few flawless examples of the 1,406 copies that were reportedly sold, Fine to Very Fine, 2015 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $2,500. Estimate value $2,000 – 3,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2595

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 3¢ blue. Small part o.g., proof-like impression on bright white paper; reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, very scarce. Scott No. 125; $2,500 for no gum.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 2123

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, long and full perforations all around VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFULLY-PRESERVED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number of units sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869’s were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp’s high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. Ex Eugene Joyce and Scarsdale. With 1974 and 2000 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1092, Lot 1111

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, crisp impression VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. Only 1,406 were sold. With 2001 and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF 80)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1287

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 3¢ blue (Scott 125), traces of o.g., absolutely sensational top quality example of this rare 1875 re-issue, with prodigious rich color and beautiful large margins all around, among the choicest available examples of this tough stamp, Very Fine, only 1,406 issued, 2014 P.S.E. certificate graded VF-80 (1 of only 2 examples to achieve this impressive grade, with only 7 others o.g. or no gum grading higher). SMQ $2,500 in the grade of VF-80. Scott $2,500 for no gum. Estimate price $2,000 – 3,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 129

3c Blue, Re-Issue (125). Rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York City datestamp and duplex oval grid cancel, slightly toned, light corner perf crease at bottom left VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. Our census of Scott 125 in used condition, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/125/125.pdf , contains only fifteen copies. An example on cover was offered in the 1956 Caspary sale, but its current whereabouts is unknown. Of the fourteen other used copies, only three are confirmed as sound, but one has a straight-edge and the other has never been certified. Two others need to be examined to determine soundness. The example offered here, with no obvious flaws, is very desirable. Census No. 125-CAN-09. Ex Mayer. With 1982 P.F. and 1994 P.S.E. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3354

125, 1875 3c Blue re-issue,partial o.g., arrow at lower right, bold color, closed tear at top and hinge thin, Fine centering, 2014 PSE certificate (Scott price $5000)

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1181

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 3¢ blue (Scott 125), o.g., previously hinged, one of the most impressive examples imaginable, a handsome well centered 3 cent re-issue with nice big margins and an incredible depth of color, of the mere 1,406 examples sold this is certainly among the nicest obtainable; a wonderful stamp that would please the most discriminating collector, Very Fine, 1963 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott $5,000. Estimate price $3,500 – 5,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2014, Sale 660, Lot 2155

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 3¢ blue (Scott 125), unused without gum, pristine and fresh example, of which only 1,406 were sold, an attractive example of this terribly difficult stamp; rounded corner at top right, otherwise Very Fine, 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott $2,500. Estimate $1,000 – 1,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2014, Sale 660, Lot 2156