12c Black, Plate 1 (Scott 36). Intense shade and proof-like impression nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp, beautiful centering EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 1, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. With 1989, 2003 and 2007 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ value $9,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 64

*    12¢ black, plate III (Scott 36b), absolutely perfectly centered with intense color and a finely detailed impression, original gum, a choice Extremely Fine gem (photo). $700 A SIMPLY SUPERB 1857 12¢ PLATE III. Expertization: 1983 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 81

USA (Scott 36) 1857 WASHINGTON 12¢ BLACK, BLUE CANCEL Extremely fine appearance, blue town cancel, but with 10mm tear mostly along the rim of the postmark. Cat $360.

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 615

10c Green, Ty. V (Scott 35). Position 60R2, absolutely enormous margins with captured “n, Carpenter & Co. ANK NOTE E” portion of imprint at right which is completely clear of the perforations, rich color, neat strike of New York circular datestamp EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1859 10-CENT TYPE V WITH A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE IMPRINT CAPTURED AT RIGHT AND WITH ENORMOUS MARGINS ON ALL OTHER SIDES. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). We submitted this stamp for grading to see how P.S.E. factored the captured imprint into the equation. William A. Litle included a note stating that “Grading this one is completely subjective.” Agreed. This is the finest example with captured imprint we have ever encountered, and for a stamp like this SMQ is not an accurate guide.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 80

10c Green, Ty. V (35). Gorgeous color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, neat strike of New York Ocean Mail cancel, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $1,575.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it. Scott Retail with no premium for the more desirable cancel

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 63

10c Green, Ty. V (Scott 35). Gorgeous centering, bright shade, neat strike of red New York circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1987 and 1990 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 972

1859, 10¢ green, type V (Scott 35), block of 4, o.g., hinge remnants, impressive multiple with exquisite rich color and detailed impression; top left and bottom right stamps with trivial gum inclusion spots, Fine, 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott $1,150. Estimate $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 652, Lot 122

United States 1857-61 Issue 1857 10c green, type V, horizontal pair, unused with full original gum, never hinged and post office fresh, v.f. (catalogue value for hinged)

Cherrystone Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 201501, Lot 93

United States 1857-61 Issue 1857 10c green, type IV, pos.55L, black grid cancel, well centered for this issue, deep rich color, fresh and v.f., with 1995 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 201206, Lot 28

10c Green, Ty. IV (Scott 34). Position 54L1, recut at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, bold strike of Portland Me. circular datestamp, Extremely Fine (despite inexplicable VF 80 grade), with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80, SMQ $2,250.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1255

(*)    10¢ green, type IV (Scott 34), recut at top, position 86L1; choice centering with balanced margins, deep, rich color and a sharp impression on bright paper; unused without gum, wonderfully fresh and Extremely Fine (photo). $20,000 A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THIS EXCEEDINGLY RARE 19TH CENTURY U.S. CLASSIC. A SEARCH OF THE PFS ONLINE RECORDS REVEALS LESS THAN A DOZEN SOUND UNUSED EXAMPLES, ONLY FOUR OF WHICH CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS WELL CENTERED, AND THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST OF THESE. NOT ONE UNUSED EXAMPLE HAS BEEN GRADED BY THE PSE. Expertization: signed Ashbrook accompanied by his note and photograph, 2002 P.S.E. and P.F. Certificates. Provenance: “Scarsdale”, Schwenk, “Liberty”.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 77

1857, 10¢ green, type IV (Scott 34), unmistakable type IV recut at top of position 74L1, light PAID in grid, largely margined example; couple slightly reduced perfs at bottom which is completely unnoticeable to this otherwise gem quality stamp, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 1978 PF certificate without mention of perfs. Scott $2,250. Estimate $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 67

U.S.; General Issues, 1857, 10¢ Green, Type III, #33. Full o.g., Fine overall, PSE (2002) cert. Scott $6,000. Estimate price $800-1,000.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1056

10c Green, Ty. III (Scott 33). Position 85R1, gorgeous centering, bold strike of red grid cancel and New York Ocean Mail circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Mayer, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ price $1,950.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 147

1857, 10¢ green, type III (Scott 33), black town cancellation, very desirable type III stamp with unusually large margins and warm rich color, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2008 P.F. certificate. Scott $200. Estimate $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 65

Scott #32, 10c Green, Ty. II, a most impressive used single, being remarkably well centered within considerably larger margins than typically found, deep vibrant color and an excellent clarity of impression, neat 1859 year date cancel, extremely fine; 2006 PF certificate (XF 90; SSV $600.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 97

10c Green, Ty. II (Scott 32). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE II. Ex Hillmer. With 1985 and 2001 P.F. certificates. This is the first example with original gum we have offered since our 2009 Whitman sale.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1252

1857, 10¢ green, type II (Scott 32), awesome light black town cancellation, magnificent example with mouthwatering rich color and razor sharp impression, a delectable top quality stamp that would please the most discriminating collector, Extremely Fine, 2010 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-90 (1 of 18 examples attaining this impressive grade, with only 21 others currently grading higher). SMQ $725 in the grade of XF-90. Scott $200. Estimate price $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 653, Lot 2079

10c Green, Ty. I (Scott 31). Brilliant color and crisp impression on fresh paper, neat strike of blue circular datestamp, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the top or bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as soundness are taken into consideration. With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded, and only four others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2008. In our opinion, this 10c Plate 1 stamp has margins wide enough to qualify for the Jumbo appellation.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3084

10c Green, Ty. I (Scott 31). Original gum, choice centering for this difficult issue showing full plumes at bottom (the defining characteristic of the type), pretty pastel color VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I ISSUE. Type I characteristics are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps available to collectors showing the type characteristics is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as gum and soundness are taken into consideration. A review using Power Search shows exactly how rare this stamp is in such superior condition. The only other sound, original-gum and centered example we have offered in the past 15 years, from the Alan Whitman collection, realized $75,000 in one of our sales in 2009. With 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1057, Lot 586

U.S. General Issues, 1857, 10¢, Type I on Shipping Invoice, #31, Partial imprint copy tied to shipping invoice by San Francisco Feb 5 (1858) cancel, to New York, invoice for gold bars and coins, per steamer Golden Age, Fine. Scott $1,450. Estimate $200-300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2014, Sale 102, Lot 1672

1857, 10¢ green, type I (Scott 31), light face-free town cancel, exceptionally fresh, beautifully centered side-to-side and, if not for the oversized bottom row margin, well centered vertically as well, Fine to Very Fine, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $1,200. Estimate price $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1261

5c Brown, Ty. II (Scott 30A). Original gum, small h.r., intense shade and impression, tiny perf tear at top right, Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 176

1860, 5¢ brown, type II (Scott 30A), face free black grid cancellations, handsome well centered example with radiant color, premium quality stamp; one short perf at top, otherwise Extremely Fine, 2012 Weiss certificate graded “90”. Scott $275. Estimate value $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 731

1860, 5¢ brown, type II (Scott 30A), regummed, bold rich color, scarce stamp; reperfed at top and left, Very Good, 2012 Weiss certificate. Scott $825. Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 80

Scott #30A, 5c Brown, Ty. II, used single that is well centered within wide margins for this difficult and tightly margined value, rich deep color, blue grid cancel, very fine; 1999 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2014, Sale 146, Lot 187

5c Dark Brown, Ty. II (30A var). Deep shade nicely complemented by red grid cancel, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of the 5c in the Dark Brown sub-shade, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3146

United States 1857-61 Issue 1857 5c brown, unused with full original gum, l.h., well centered for this difficult issue, fresh and v.f., with 1975 and 1993 PFCs

Cherrystone Auctions, May 2015, Sale 201505, Lot 5

Scott #30, 5c Orange brown, Ty. II, a very rare used horizontal strip of three, deep luxuriant color and a superbly detailed impression, cancelled by bright red grid postmarks, fine; #30 is one of the few United States stamps that catalogs more in used condition than mint, with used multiples being particularly elusive and desirable; listed but unpriced as a strip of three; 1988 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 39

5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (30). Original gum, beautiful deep shade, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, bright and fresh EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO THIS ISSUE IN ANY CONDITION. With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ price $8,500.00 as 95, unpriced in any higher grade). This is only Scott 30 awarded a 95J grade in any condition — original gum, no gum or used

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1057, Lot 582

5c Orange Brown, Ty. II (Scott 30). Warm shade nicely complemented by red grid cancel, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp which is much scarcer in used condition than unused, with 1988 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 949

30, 1861 5c Orange brown, Type II,”PAID” cancel, blind perf lower left, Fine (Scott price $1,475) 

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1066

1861, 5¢ orange brown, type II (Scott 30), scarce red grid cancellation, decent example of this tough used stamp, much more desirable in used condition than mint condition; reperforated at right, a crease along upper right corner and a thin spot, otherwise Fine, 2000 A.P.S. certificate. Scott $1,475. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2456

Scott #29, 5c Brown, Ty. I, attractive used single, uncharacteristically well centered, rich strong color and a sharp impression, extremely fine; 2012 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 38

5c Brown (Scott 29). Choice centering, bright shade, neat red grid and part of matching circular datestamp at left, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 142

5c Brown (Scott 29). Presentation copy with red manuscript control cancel, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2014, Sale 1077, Lot 68

1859, 5¢ brown, type I. Horizontal strip of 4, hinged at top with full o.g., fresh and bright with rich bold color, Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 29; $24,500 for strip of 3 and single. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL GUM STRIP OF FOUR OF THE 1859 5¢ BROWN – ONE OF THE FEW LARGEST RECORDED MINT MULTIPLES KNOWN (BLOCK OR STRIP FORMAT).

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1979

o 1858, 5¢ Indian red, type I (28A), nicely centered with vibrant color, prooflike impression and light town cancels, lower right corner lightly toned, mainly visible on reverse, otherwise F.-V.F. and quite handsome. Scott price $3,500 Expertization: 1999 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 114

5c Indian Red (Scott 28A). Incredibly well-centered, magnificent depth of color, two strikes of face-free town datestamp at top and bottom, expertly reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance, with clear 1985 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1479

5c Indian Red (Scott 28A). Wonderful color, faint strike of large Boston “Paid” grid cancel, light corner crease at top left, Very Fine appearance, with 1978 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 141

5c Indian Red (28A). Intense shade, cancelled by small pen marks, “Don Pedro’s Bar Cal., July 10th” manuscript postmark on cover to Martinez Cal., cover with some edge flaws and soiling, stamp with small tear at right, Fine appearance, a scarce intra-California use of the Indian Red, with 1998 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $5,000.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3133

USA (Scott 28A) 1858 JEFFERSON 5¢ INDIAN RED TYPE I Rich color, true Indian red shade, cds, tiny corner crease not noted on cert, extremely fine appearance. (1986 PF Cert #152370) Cat price $3500.

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

5c Red Brown (Scott 28). Exceptionally attractive centering, deep rich color, neat circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1094

5c Red Brown (Scott 28). Perfs clear of design all around, rich color, light strike of town cancel, single nibbed perf at lower right, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1178

5c Red Brown (Scott 28). Intense shade on bright paper, perfectly centered with perfs well clear of outer projections on all sides, long and full perforations, neat strikes of New Orleans circular datestamp EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and unusually wide margins, is a true condition rarity. With 1984 and 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ price $9,500.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98) and three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 55

1857, 5¢ red brown, type I (28), beautiful red grid cancellation, bright vivid shade, a good looking example of this elusive stamp; small tear at top, and a perf crease at upper left, Very Good to Fine. Scott $1,275. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 359

5c Bright Red Brown (28b). Part original gum, marvelous intense shade on fresh paper FINE FOR THIS EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 BRIGHT RED BROWN SHADE. THIS IS THE FIRST UNUSED EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. This is the first unused example of the sub-listed Bright Red Brown shade variety of Scott 28 we have offered. In our analysis of the 5c 1856-61 printings, we consider the Bright Red Brown (28b) and Indian Red (28A) to be in the same printing family. There are only five examples of the Indian Red with any part of original gum, and they sell for $100,000 or more. The Bright Red Brown shade is usually the default classification for a stamp that does not have sufficiently intense color to receive an Indian Red classification, but the difference is very subtle. In fact, unused examples of the Bright Red Brown (Scott 28b) shade appear to be rarer than the Indian Red. Many collectors know this issue by type and shade, but fewer are aware of the order of production (or release). This state of confusion is partly due to the Scott Catalogue. Based on dated covers, the 5c Type I shades were released in the following order: 1) Red Brown, Scott 28, EDU 8/23/1857; 2) Indian Red, Scott 28A, EDU 3/31/1858; 3) Brick Red, Scott 27, EDU 10/6/1858; 4) Brown, Scott 29, EDU 3/21/1859, almost certainly the last printing from the first 5c plate. The second 5c plate was made from a new six-relief transfer roll with the design projections cut away at top and bottom, to varying degrees. The Type II Brown was issued first (Scott 30A, EDU 5/4/1860), and the Orange Brown printing from the same plate followed about one year later (Scott 30, EDU 5/8/1861). The first 5c sheets to be perforated in mid-1857 undoubtedly came from the unissued supply of 5c imperforate sheets in the “1856” Red Brown shade. These are akin to 1c perforated stamps from Plate 1 Late (Type IV, Scott 23) and Plate 2, and 3c perforated stamps from the Type I plate (Scott 25). Covers dated during the second half of 1857 and first quarter of 1858 have 5c stamps in the “1856” shade of Red Brown, which look like Scott 12 with perforations. By March 31, 1858, the EDU of the Indian Red shade, a second printing must have been made. We suspect that the entire family of Red Brown, Bright Red Brown and Indian Red shades — all of which differ from the “1856” Red Brown — were printed at the same time during the first quarter of 1858. Looking at the EDU’s, there is a largely consistent pattern of new 5c printings at the beginning of each year in 1858 (Red Brown), 1859 (Brown), 1860 (Type II Brown) and 1861 (Type II Orange Brown). The only exceptions to this pattern are the “1856” Red Brown perforated sheets released in mid-1857, which make sense in the context of the first perforated issue, and the October 1858 Brick Red. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 942

5c Bright Red Brown (Scott 28b). Intense color on bright paper, neat strike of circular datestamp VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT BRIGHT RED BROWN SHADE. With 1989 and 2014 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 104

1857, 5¢ red brown, type I (Scott 28), neat black town cancellation leaving the portrait nearly face free, decent example of the true red brown shade, that is completely sound in all respects, Very Good to Fine, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $1,100. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 59

o U.S.; General Issues, 1858, 5¢ brick red, type I, #27. San Francisco cds, Fine. Scott $1,650. Estimate price $200.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, May 2012, Sale 93, Lot 256