Rare Stamps & Postal History of the World

1861 1c Franklin, trial color plate proof on wove paper, selection of 9 perforated and 10 imperf. singles, plus additional 12 blocks of four (7 perf. and 5 imperf.), total of 67 stamps, nice range of colors with minor duplication, bright and fresh throughout, fine-v.f.,
Cat. Val. $3,050
Estimate: $1500

1861 3c, 24c and 30c orange (the 30c did not originate and is a replacement of a missing stamp), tied by neat grid cancels on large part of cover to Shanghai, China, red "New York Br. Pkt Paid Sep 30" and London Oct 13, 62 transit pmk, large "1" in red at lower right, most of the back of the cover is missing, otherwise fine three color franking to Shanghai, with 2022 PFC
Estimate: $250

1861 5c, 12c, 30c and 90c, four different large die proofs, die sunk on reduced cards, 5c and 12c with imprints (slight toning), fine-v.f.,
Cat. Val. $2,400
Estimate: $1000

1861 2c black (Jackson), faint cancel (appears unused), major double transfer at upper left corner (Atherton Shift), faint horizontal crease at top, ending in a small tear, usual centering, with 2002 PFC. A fine example of this rare variety, clearly showing the dramatic double transfer at top (the Atherton Shift got its name from Stanley B. Ashbrook, who first discovered it in the summer of 1923 in the collection of H. P. Atherton....

1861 3c scarlet, trial color plate proof on india, block of four, v.f.,
Cat. Val. $725
Estimate: $250

1868 "F" Grill, 15c black unused without gum, good color and well centered, small horizontal crease and reperforated at bottom, v.f. appearance (catalogued as unused without gum)
Cat. Val. $1,600
Estimate: $450

1869 6c ultramarine, unused without gum, slightly oversized margin at bottom, good color, with 1978 and 2022 PFCs, the latter graded "VF-80" (SMQ $950)
Estimate: $700

1869 15c brown and blue, Type I, cork cancel, large margins all around, with 2022 PFC graded "VF-XF 85" (SMQ $1,150)
Estimate: $900

1869 1c-15c, also 30c, plate proofs on india, blocks of four, all but 6c and 10c with sheet margins, few minor faults, otherwise mostly v.f.,
Cat. Val. $2,410
Estimate: $1000

1869 1c Franklin, Small Numerals, plate essays on stamp paper in blocks of four, three different colors, orange, chocolate and black brown, the latter n.h. (others hinged), fine-v.f. (catalogued as singles)
Cat. Val. $1,120
Estimate: $500

1875 1c buff, unused without gum, v.f., with 1980 PFC,
Cat. Val. $220
Estimate: $150