US Stamp Prices Scott Catalogue 38 – 1860 30c Benjamin Franklin. Page 15

30c Orange (38). Gorgeous centering with unusually wide margins, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, neat strike of red grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP FROM THE SENCHUK COLLECTION IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE AND HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. The narrow space between subjects on the plate makes it almost impossible for the perforations to clear the design on all four sides. The example offered here, with extra wide margins at sides and perfs clear at top and bottom, is a true condition rarity. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ price $13,100.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date to a Scott 38 in any category, and it is the only example to achieve this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1270

30c Orange (Scott 38). Wide and balanced margins, beautiful warm color nicely complemented by red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ value $1,350.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1227

30c Orange (Scott 38). Unused (regummed), Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1226

30c Orange (Scott 38). Huge imperforate straddle-pane margin at right showing guideline, Boston large “Paid” grid cancel, excellent centering, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1228

30c Orange (Scott 38). Original gum, vivid color, fresh and Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate showing selvage at left

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1225

30c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (Scott 38TC3). Margins to just touched, bright shade, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1004

30c Orange (Scott 38). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, crisp white paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, trace of blue cancel at bottom left EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION. The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 30c and 90c 1860 were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare. Ex Renne, Yost and Scarsdale. With 1980, 1995, 2002 and 2008 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 57

30c Orange (Scott 38). Original gum, bright shade, well-proportioned margins, small translucency at top not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Very Fine appearance, with 1989 and 1999 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3051

UNITED STATES 1857-61 Issue 1860 30c orange, bright color, unused (regummed over a 1mm sealed tear at upper left), fine appearance, with 2009 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Apr 2009, Sale 200904, Lot 7

UNITED STATES 1857-61 ISSUE 1857 30c orange, well centered and tied by black grids on outer FL to Paris, red New York Paid and French entry pmk (28 Aug.66), endorsed “per China, French Mail”, little paper bleaching, fine and attractive single franking to France, with Jakubek cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2009, Sale 200903, Lot 53

U.S.; General Issues, 1860, 30¢ Orange, #38. O.g. (h.r.), Just Fine, APS (1990) cert. Scott $2,400. Estimate value $300-350.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1106

o U.S.; General Issues, 1860, 30¢ Orange, #38. Black grid cancel, Fine to Very Fine, PF (2000) cert. Scott $500. Estimate price $150-180.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1107

U.S.; General Issues, 1860, 30¢ Orange, #38. O.g., Fine to Very Fine, PF (2005) cert. Scott $2,400. Estimate $800-1,000.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1105

30c Orange (38). Block of four, original gum, radiant color, better-centered than most multiples of this issue VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. This block clearly demonstrates why it is so difficult to find this issue with choice centering. The narrow space between subjects on the plate makes it almost impossible for the perforations to clear the design on all four sides. As an indication of rarity, the last intact block we offered was in 2004, and the last block with centering comparable to the one offered here was sold in 2002. With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue assigns a 45% premium for a block versus four singles, which we consider to be too low based on relative scarcity.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 52

30c Orange (Scott 38). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, choice centering for this difficult issue EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH PRISTINE COLOR. With 1987 and 2000 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 51