US Stamps Prices Scott 17: 1851 12c George Washington. Page 9

() U.S.; General Issues, 1851, 12¢ Black, Pair, #17. Unused, cutting to clear margins, rich color, Just Fine, PF (1976) cert. Scott $5,000 (as singles). Estimate $300-350.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jan 2013, Sale 96, Lot 415

12c Black (Scott 17). Clear to large margins incl. left interpane margin with part of centerline, neat red grid cancel, natural inclusion, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1446

12c Black (Scott 17). Phenomenally huge margins all around, including sheet margin at top and parts of four adjoining stamps, bright shade and crisp impression, grid cancels frame Washington’s face, part of red circular datestamp cancel at bottom left EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED SINGLES OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE EXTANT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE. Many collectors have a tendency to discount how difficult it is to find imperforate classics in such superb condition. The assumption is that there are multiples which can be split to “make” perfect singles. However, one would need a lightly-cancelled block of nine or sheet margin block of six, with no wrinkles or other minor defects, to produce a single such as the one offered here. Ex Lehman, Haas, Morris and Tahoe. With 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ price $2,900.00 as 98). Only three 12c 1851’s have achieved the unbeatable Gem 100J grade (all used). There are no Gem 100 examples without the Jumbo appellation.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 40

Scott #17, 12c Black, ample to large margins all around, strong color and impression, blue town cancels and a light red transit pmk., very fine; 2011 PSE certificate (VF 80; SMQ value $225.00 for a normal cancel).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 33

Scott #17, 12c Black, a right sheet-margin used single, extraordinarily large margins all around with a portion of the adjoining stamp at left and large balanced margins at top and bottom, deep intense color and a well incised impression, relatively light grid cancel, extremely fine; 2012 PSE certificate (XF-Sup 95 Jumbo; SMQ value $1,175.00 for 95 and $2,900.00 for 98).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 32

12c Black (Scott 17). Phenomenally huge margins all around including parts of seven adjoining stamps, bright shade and clear impression, grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED SINGLES OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE EXTANT. Ex Mayer as a pair. With 1981, 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates as a pair, this the left stamp. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ price $2,900.00 as 98). Only two others have achieved the ultimate Gem 100 Jumbo grade (both used)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3054

12c Black (Scott 17). Position 91R1 with bottom left interpane corner sheet margins and centerline, huge margins on other sides including portion of adjoining stamp above, bright shade on brilliant white paper, bold grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM A CORNER-MARGIN POSITION. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. Ex Dr. Morris. With 1997 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, SMQ price $2,900.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). While this stamp has received a very high P.S.E. grade, equaled by only eight and exceeded by only three, this is an instance where numerical grading simply cannot do justice to the stunning appearance of a stamp.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3055

o U.S.; General Issues, 1851, 12¢ gray black, pair, #17. Used pair, small repairs, Fine appearing. Scott $600. Estimate value $100.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 165

1851, 12¢ gray black (17), bright and fresh with large to oversized margins and large part original gum; small natural paper inclusion at lower right, Very Fine to Extremely Fine and choice. Scott value $6,250 Expertization: 1991 & 2006 PF Certificates.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 685

1851, 12¢ gray black (17), horizontal pair with clear to mostly large margins, used with two 3¢ type II (11A), tied on piece by bold blue Cincinnati c.d.s., May 25, fresh and Very Fine with tremendous eye appeal. Scott $630

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 687

o 1851, 12¢ gray black (17), left sheet margin single with large margins on the other three sides plus a fine impression and a light town cancel; fresh and choice Extremely Fine. Scott $275

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 686

United States 1851-57 Issue 1851 12c black, unused without gum, margins all around, just touching frameline at bottom, rare unused, with 2000 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Sep 2012, Sale 201209, Lot 22

o 1851, 12¢ gray black (17), a choice sheet margin single, position 71R1, with enormous margins showing the full inter-pane center line at left and part of the adjacent stamp at right; also with a finely detailed impression and a bold 1857 town cancel; a remarkably fresh and absolutely Superb Gem. Scott $275 AN EXTRAORDINARY 12¢ 1851 FOR THE COLLECTOR SEEKING THE FINEST QUALITY. Expertization: 1998 & 2005 PF Certificates.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 41

o 1851, 12¢ gray black (17), four truly gargantuan margins including inter-pane margin and guideline at right (position 50L) and with a bit of all five adjacent stamps visible; strong color, a razor-sharp impression and neat, light, town cancel; a bright, fresh and positively Superb Gem. One of just three at this, the highest attainable grade. SMQ price $2,900 for a Superb 98. Scott $275 ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE UPON. Expertization: 2005 PSE Certificate graded Gem 100J.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 40

1851, 12¢ gray black (17), large, beautifully balanced margins with rich color, a finely etched impression and full, lightly hinged original gum; remarkably fresh and Extremely Fine. SSV $8,000. Scott price $6,250 A RARE MINT SINGLE, ESPECIALLY WITH LARGE MARGINS AND IN SUCH A WONDERFUL STATE OF PRESERVATION. Expertization: 1998, 2002 & 2006 PF Certificates, the last graded VF-XF 85. Provenance: Gorham.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 38