24c Violet, Thin Paper (70c). Unusually dark shade and proof-like impression, well-balanced margins, centrally-struck target cancel VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT VIOLET ON THIN PAPER. The 24c 1861 exists in four basic shades of Violet: Dark Violet (August 1861 trial printing, formerly Scott 60); Violet on Thin Paper (August-September 1861 regular issue, Scott 70c — the shade offered here); Pale Gray Violet (1861 regular issue, Scott 70d) and Blackish Violet (ca. 1863 printing, Scott 78c). With 1983 and 1996 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 224

Scott #70c, 24c Violet on thin paper, a wonderful used example of this scarce and distinctive shade, with rich characteristic “August” color and impression, plus it is well centered within larger margins than normally encountered, black grid cancel, extremely fine for this; rarely encountered in this choice condition; 1966 and 2012 PF certificates.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 146, Lot 215

24c Steel Blue (Scott 70b). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, bold grid and red circular datestamp cancels, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1042

o    24¢ steel blue (Scott 70b), choice centering with the perforations clearing the design all around, strong color and impression on bright paper, San Francisco cogwheel cancel, tiny thin specks, Extremely Fine appearance, a handsome example of this elusive shade (photo). $900 Expertization: 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 122

Scott #70, 24c Red lilac, lovely used single, excellent centering within large margins for this value, particularly strong color and impression, light numeral “1” in circle cancel being quite scarce on this value, extremely fine; 1987 PF and 2014 PSE certificates.

Spink Shreves Galleries, May 2014, Sale 148, Lot 80

24c Brown Lilac (Scott 70a). Crisp shade and detailed impression nicely complemented by red circle of V’s cancel, Very Fine and choice, a distinctive stamp, with 1983 and 1989 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 168

70c, 1861 24c Violet,brilliant and bright violet color, light circular cancel, some small creases, nearly Very Fine (Scott $2,250) 

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1103

24c Brown Lilac (Scott 70a). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering, bright shade and detailed impression, exceptionally fresh and Very Fine, ex Curtis, with copy of 2001 P.F. certificate for pair and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, F-VF 75; SMQ price $2,200.00), only two stamps have graded higher

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1201

1862, 24¢ red lilac, plate proof on card. Stunning rich color, Very Fine and choice. Scott No. 70P4; $500.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 2033

24c Brown Lilac (Scott 70a). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering, bright shade and detailed impression, exceptionally fresh and Very Fine, ex Curtis, with copy of 2001 P.F. certificate for pair and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, F-VF 75; SMQ price $2,200.00), only two stamps have graded higher

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2015, Sale 1100, Lot 12

12c Black (Scott 69). Crisp impression, well-balanced margins, neat strike of San Francisco cogwheel cancel and with trace of red cancel at lower left, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 398

1861, 12¢ black (Scott 69), spectacular top quality example with huge JUMBO margins, and gorgeous rich color, a very appealing example, black target cancellation, Extremely Fine, 2008 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-90J, this being the only example attaining this grade, according to PSE’s population report, with 39 others currently grading higher. SMQ $375. Scott $100. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 982

69, 1861 12c Black, clear impression, o.g., small part old h.r., Very Fine (Scott price $1,800)

H.R. Harmer, Nov 2013, Sale 3004, Lot 1059

Scott #69, 12c Black, used single that is uncharacteristically well centered and margined, deep color and a detailed impression, lightly cancelled with neat blue target, extremely fine; 2010 PSE certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, May 2014, Sale 148, Lot 78

12c Black (69). Block of six and block of four, former with manuscript cancels and tied by light target cancels on orange piece, latter with unobtrusive cork cancels, light creases, Fine used blocks, Scott Retail $2,430.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3201

o 1861, 10¢ yellow green (68), choice centering with dco on bright white paper, centered strike red Supplementary Mail type A handstamp, exceptionally fresh and Very Fine. Scott $93 Expertization: 2000 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4268

10c Yellow Green (Scott 68). Uncommonly wide Jumbo margins and practically perfect centering, lovely color and bold circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this issue, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $900.00 as 95, $2,750.00 as 98), only three have graded higher and two others share this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 78

*    10¢ yellow green (Scott 68), “Tag Variety”, excellent centering, large margins and gorgeous rich color, original gum., lightly hinged, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp (photo). $1,100 THE 10¢ 1861 IN THIS CHOICE MINT STATE IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY. Expertization: 1978 and 2004 P.F. Certificates. Provenance: “Silver Lake”.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 115

USA (Scott 68) 1861 WASHINGTON 10? GREEN Spectacular stamp, huge, even margins, light red cancel, superb beauty. Cat price $70.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 154

o 1861, 5¢ buff (67), virtually perfectly centered, having the perforations well clear of the design all around, marvelous, warm color and a neat blue Cincinnati duplex cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine SVV $2,500. Scott $1,130 A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE 5¢ BUFF, A STAMP THAT NEARLY ALWAYS HAS THE PERFORATIONS TOUCHING ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE. Expertization: 2009 PF Certificate graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 163

1861, 5¢ buff (Scott 67), neat grid cancel, fresh, vibrant color, select and appealing example, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 1983 PF Cert. Scott $1,100. Estimate $600 – 800. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1282

5c Buff (Scott 67). Exceptionally well-centered, strong color complemented by neat red grid cancels, Very Fine and choice

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1556

1861, 5¢ buff (67), attractive black “Washington” cancellation, handsome right straddle margin single, with extraordinary deep rich color; couple partially nibbed perforations of little consequence, Fine to Very Fine, 1988 P.F. certificate stating “with perforations as shown in the photo”. Scott $1,000. Estimate value $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 1028

United States 1861-66 Issue 1861 5c brown yellow, well centered for this difficult issue, deep rich color, full original gum (small h.r.), with clear 2004 PSE certificate and a 2012 Philatelic Foundation certificate stating “unused, og, reperforated at right.” A rare unused stamp with original gum

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2014, Sale 201403, Lot 13

1861, 5¢ buff (Scott 67), neat blue grid and small part of red cancellations, the ultimate example of this extremely difficult stamp, with near perfect centering, and bold rich color nicely complimented by two colored cancels, the quintessential #67 deserving placement in the finest collection – rare like this, Extremely Fine, 2008 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-90 (1 of 19 examples attaining this impressive grade, with only 5 others currently grading higher). SMQ $3,000 in the grade of XF-90. Scott $1,090. Estimate price $2,000 – 3,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 653, Lot 2088

67b, 1861 5c Olive yellow,black grid cancels, a couple shorter perfs at top left, small tear at bottom, Very Fine centering, difficult shade (Scott $4,000)

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1094

1861, 5¢ buff (Scott 67), bold red grid cancellation, decent example with deep vibrant color, Very Good to Fine. Scott $960. Estimate $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2505

3c Rose (Scott 65). Perfect bold strike of Horse’s Head fancy cancel, stamp centered to bottom right and with small faults, Extremely Fine strike, with 2012 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1547

1861, 3¢ rose (65), scarce ultramarine cancellation, splendid top quality example with a gorgeous postmark, Extremely Fine, 2013 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-90. SMQ $90. Scott $6. Estimate price $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 3175

3c Rose (Scott 65). Perfectly centered, bold strike of green segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1994 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 187

Scott #65, 3c Rose, tied by “New York/30 Sep 1862” duplex with target to illustrated allover front advertising cover for Thomas Andrews & Co., manufactures and importers of home products, many are illustrated across the front, posted to Ypsilanti, Mich., very fine and attractive; 2013 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 146, Lot 199

1861, 3¢ rose (Scott 65), block of 4, o.g., never hinged, extremely fresh with vibrant color, the bottom left stamp is a particularly choice well centered stamp; bottom left stamp with natural gum crease, bottom right stamp with a tiny crease at lower right corner, otherwise Fine, 2011 Weiss certificate. Scott $700. Estimate value $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 652, Lot 147

3c Rose (Scott 65). Tied by “Detroit Mich. Oct. 17” double-circle datestamp with target on yellow cover to Burr Oak Mich. with blue Lincoln-Johnson portraits in ovals with eagle, flags and campaign slogan, Milgram AL-151, small piece out of side flap at right, Very Fine, ex Jarrett

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2014, Sale 1082, Lot 569

United States 1861-66 Issue 1861 3c rose, horizontal strip of four used in 1868 on buff cover from Charlestown, Mass to Callao, Peru, with Panama transit, blue crayon and red “48” handstamp, fine

Cherrystone Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 201501, Lot 112

1861, 3¢ rose (Scott 65), fancy manuscript “Tree” cancellation of Tioga Center, NY, absolutely gorgeous fancy cancel on 3 cent 1861 issue, an eye catching showpiece, Fine, 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott $3. Estimate value $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2497

3c Rose (Scott 65). Tied by bold strile of “V. A SPRAGUE P.M.” double-circle fancy cancel, corner of stamp also tied by matching “Corinna Me. Jul. 25” circular datestamp on cover to Rockland Maine, slightly reduced at right, stamp slight corner crease, Extremely Fine strike of this vanity fancy cancel

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 1107, Lot 166

3c Rose (Scott 65). Tied by exceptionally bold strike of 7-Segment Rosette fancy cancel, (Rohloff P-6), “Waterbury Con. Dec. 12, ’65” double-circle datestamp equally bold and also ties stamp, on cover to Wolcottville Conn., backflap tear barely extends to top front, nicked at right, Extremely Fine strike

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 1107, Lot 178

3c Pink (Scott 64). Original gum, slight vertical crease as often found among examples of the 3c Pink with original gum VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK. With 2000 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 104

1861, 3¢ pigeon blood pink (Scott 64a), neatly struck black “Portland, ME, Oct 24, 1861” cds, impressive example of this rarity, in a quality quality that’s second to none, beautifully centered with bold rich color, a great stamp; perf tips are cut straight, otherwise Very Fine, 2011 Weiss certificate. Scott $5,000. Estimate price $3,000 – 4,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 760

1861, 3¢ pink (Scott 64), neat black town cancellation, gorgeous well centered example of this notoriously difficult stamp in the true pink shade; faint horizontal crease only shows in fluid, otherwise Extremely Fine. Scott $850. Estimate value $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 54

3c Pink (Scott 64). Excellent color, neat grid cancel, Fine and attractive, with 1964 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3466

Scott #64, 3c Pink, used single with bright distinctive pink color, stronger impression than typically found, quite well centered surrounded by full even perforations, black grid cancel that has been lightened, slightly affecting the color, otherwise very fine; 2014 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, May 2014, Sale 148, Lot 74

3c Pink (Scott 64). Brilliant color, tied by “Worcester Ms. Nov. 8” circular datestamp on bank corner card cover to Norton Mass., fresh and Very Fine, a beautiful cover, ex Hulme, with 2005 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3188

3c Pink (Scott 64). Block of four, original gum, small h.r., true Pink color, centered slightly to top, faint gum soaks, few horizontal perf separations, one stamp faint natural gum crease FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1861 3-CENT PINK AND PROBABLY AS FINE AS IT EXISTS. Multiples of this distinctive shade are very difficult to obtain. Apart from the ex-Zoellner block of four (no gum) and the unique plate block of twelve, we have not offered any others since 1993. Ex Lilly, Grunin and Klein. With 1975 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 120

(Carrier Rates) 1¢ Blue on 3¢ Entires. Singles used for 1¢ carrier fee on three 3¢ pink entires comprising: 3¢ pink U34 entire and 1¢ cancelled by circular open grids, “Philadelphia Pa. Dec 6 1861” cds to Boston Mass., 3¢ pink U34 entire and 1¢ tied by “Philadelphia Pa Apr 12 1863” cds to Saint Paul Minn., and 3¢ pink U35 buff entire and 1¢ tied by “Paid” framed cancel and red partial Boston Mass. cds to Baltimore Md.; couple small flaws, F.-V.F. Scott No. 63; Estimate price $200 – 300.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1786

(Demonetized Usages) 1¢ Blue. Two singles used with 1857 1¢ blue (24), torn, all tied by two strikes of blue “Cincinnati O Jul 14” duplex on light buff cover with red “The Union – It Must Be Preserved” Eagle and Flag patriotic design to Freedom Oh.; reduced slightly at right, some edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Blake Meyers, Hugh Baker, Jim Lee. Scott No. 63; Estimate price $1,000 – 1,500. A SCARCE ILLEGAL POST DEMONETIZED USE OF THE 1¢ 1857 ISSUE IN COMBINATION THE 1¢ 1861 ISSUE. Illustrated and discussed in Donald Evans, The United States 1¢ Franklin 1861-67, pg. 162, fig. 9-15. Although demonetized, the Cincinnati Post Office allowed the 1857 stamp on this cover to pass through without penalty.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1763

(Express) The Adams Express Company, Richmond, Va. Corner card on yellow buff cover bearing 1¢ blue (63), tied by “Richmond Va. Dec 12” cds duplexed with grid cancel addressed locally, prepaid 1¢ for the drop letter rate; stamp affected from edge placement, top edge flaws, Fine. Scott No. 63; Estimate price $200 – 300. The period of use would have to be sometime after April 3rd 1865 when Federal troops entered Richmond and returned control to the Union.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1768

(Domestic Rates) 1¢ Blue. Well centered, used with 2¢ vermilion (183), tied by four-rings cancel on cover to Acworth, N.H., matching “Charlotte, N.Y. Oct 2” cds, reverse with bold “Rochester, N.Y. Oct 2, 1882” transit cds; small top edge flaw, Very Fine. Scott No. 63; Estimate price $200 – 300. The 1¢ had been out of production for 13 years when this letter was mailed.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1621

1861, 1¢ blue, dot in U, plate 9. Three singles, small faults, tied by two strikes of “Philadelphia Pa. Oct 22 1861” cds on lady’s cover to Sanbury Pa., D. O. Blood & Co. 1¢ bronze (15L14), acid tied, paid the carrier fee to the mails by private carrier, “Bloods, Penny Post, Oct 22, 1861” cds, F.-V.F., with 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 63 var.; Estimate $400 – 600. Illustrated and discussed in Donald Evans, The United States 1¢ Franklin 1861-67, pg. 164, fig. 10-1.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1675

1861, 1¢ blue. Tied by “Bogle & Lyles, New York, Jul 18 1868” company cds on $20.68 receipt, stamp under pays the proper 2¢ receipt tax; small corner mend and stamp flaws, Fine. Scott No. 63; Estimate price $150 – 200.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1683