US Stamp Value Scott Catalog R17: 3c 1863 Revenue Playing Cards Washington. Page 1

Revenue, 1863, First Issue, 3¢ Playing Cards, imperf (Scott R17a), light almost invisible manuscript cancel, ample to large margins, fresh; tiny nick in bottom left margin, mentioned only for accuracy and does not detract, Very Fine, one of the rarest of the First Issue Revenue stamps and difficult to find in sound condition, 1978 P.F. certificate for a vertical pair, this was the top stamp. Scott $40,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2015, Sale 670, Lot 7

R17a, 1863 3c Green Playing Cards, Imperforate, four clear margins, small thin spot and small repaired tear at top, a Fine appearing example of this scarce imperforate issue, 1988 PF certificate (Scott price $40,000) 

H.R. Harmer, Jun 2015, Sale 3007, Lot 3535

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Ample margins to barely touched at lower left, deep rich color, 1864 manuscript cancel FINE. A DESIRABLE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. This issue is exceedingly difficult to find in sound condition. The majority has faults to a lesser or greater degree. With 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 963

Revenue, 1863, First Issue, 3¢ Playing Cards, perf’d. Printed “S H & Co.” cancellation, rich color, used on Samuel Hart & Co. “Linen Eagle, Nonpareil” illustrated playing card wrapper showing eagle and building, mounted on backing, some paper loss, Fine and scarce. Scott No. R17c; Estimate $500 – 750.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 2692

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Vertical pair, large margins to clear, deep rich color and proof-like impression, light manuscript cancel, top stamp with tiny pinhole at bottom FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND ESSENTIALLY SOUND PAIR OF THE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL FIRST ISSUE REVENUE MULTIPLES — ONLY SEVEN PAIRS ARE RECORDED. The definitive census of these issues can be found at www.thecurtiscollection.com, where seven vertical pairs are recorded. No other multiples are known. With 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1089, Lot 214

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Large margins all around, deep rich color, unobtrusive pen cancel, small closed tear at top left, trace of extraneous ink on back only EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL AND HUGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. Ex Tolman. With 1963 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1089, Lot 213

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (R17a). Unused (no gum), large even margins all around, intense shade and proof-like impression, wonderfully fresh EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS SOUND FOUR-MARGIN UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. ONE OF THE RAREST FIRST ISSUE REVENUE STAMPS IN ANY CONDITION AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE UNUSED. A review using Power Search reveals that this is the only unused example of this stamp we have offered in our sales going back to 1993 and in our Rarities sales since 1966. We are aware of one other, offered in the Shreve sale of the Cunliffe collection. The fact that this stamp possesses full even margins and is sound makes it especially remarkable. It seems inevitable that the Scott catalogue will begin to price unused Revenues. In that event, the catalog value for an unused 3c Playing Cards Imperforate stamp will be far greater than that of a used example. Ex Col. Stillwell (Siegel Sale 413 “Offered by order of The United States Trust Company”, lot 475) and DePriest. With copy of 1972 and with 2003 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as used

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1066, Lot 7

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Large margins to just clear at lower left, deep rich color, faint cancel (possibly uncancelled), thin spots incl. one deep at left which slightly breaks paper FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT PLAYING CARDS IMPERFORATE ISSUE. Ex Buford. With 1980 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 522

3c Playing Cards, Perforated (Scott R17c). Beautifully balanced margins, deep rich color, 1864 manuscript cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1066, Lot 60

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Large margins to clear, deep rich color, faint traces of lightened pen cancellation (appears unused), small thin spot, repaired tear at upper right VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. With 1988 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1031, Lot 1004

3c Playing Cards, Imperforate (Scott R17a). Large margins on three sides and ample at bottom, intense shade and proof-like impression, faintly cancelled EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT IMPERFORATE PLAYING CARDS ISSUE. ONE OF THE RAREST FIRST ISSUE REVENUE STAMPS. The stamp offered here is one of the few four-margin sound examples of the 3c Playing Cards Imperforate we have ever seen. With 2001 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2011, Sale 1015, Lot 6

3c Playing Cards, Perforated (Scott R17c). Intense shade and impression, neat manuscript “X” cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2011, Sale 1015, Lot 67

3c Playing Cards, Perforated (Scott R17c). Well-centered, deep rich color, light manuscript cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, Revenues are unlisted in SMQ)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2009, Sale 978, Lot 1152

o 1863, 3¢ Playing Cards (R17a), large margins, light manuscript cancel, repaired tears, otherwise Extremely Fine. A more affordable example of the rare 3¢ Playing Cards. Scott value $25,000 Expertization: 1990 P.S.E. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 2607