Sale 117: The Dr. Armando Grassi Collection

Lot 3110 E   

1861, 1¢ Franklin, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black, trial color large die proof on India paper (formerly No. 55TC1), on thick card (40x39mm), showing light early horizontal layout lines at left and very minor differences in leaf scrolls at top than other die essays, small portion "440" die number at bottom edge, Very Fine.
Scott No. 63-E11a    $4,000.

MOSTLY LIKELY THE EARLIEST DIE ESSAY OF THE 1861 1¢ "PREMIERE GRAVURE" ISSUE PRODUCED BY BY NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY.

This early die essay, showing three light horizontal layout lines on the die, does not show on any other of the known examples from die "440". Also, only one other example shows the slight difference in the leaf scrolls at top (likely unique printing on glazed card sold in the 2018 Siegel sale of the Richard Drews Collection of United States 1861-68 Issues). This combination of layout lines and unfinished leaf scrolls most likely makes this essay unique.

Realized: $4,750

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Lot 3111 E   

1861, 1¢ Franklin, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in ultramarine, trial color plate proof on India paper (formerly No. 55TC3), bottom margin block of 4, full well balanced margins, couple margin tone spots, Very Fine and scarce.
Scott No. 63-E11c    $1,200 as singles.

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Lot 3112    

1861, 1¢ indigo, First Design, o.g., very lightly hinged, deep rich indigo shade characteristic of the "August" Issue, very well centered for this rare issue (all known examples are centered slightly into the top perforations, but unlike most others, this stamp has fully intact perforations), deeply etched impression, exceptionally fresh, Very Fine and choice, with Scott catalog value for examples with perfs cutting slightly into design at top, ex-Isleham, Weissman, & Floyd; with 1992, 2002 P.F. & 1992 P.S.E certificates.
Scott No. 55    $50,000.

THERE ARE ONLY NINE MINT SINGLES IN SOUND CONDITION AND THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

There are 26 recorded examples of the One Cent First Design or so-called "August" Issue (as per Siegel Census). Of this total, three are canceled and another is housed in the New York Public Library collection, leaving only 22 mint copies available to collectors. Thirteen of the mint examples are found faulty leaving only nine that exist which are both completely sound and still retain their original gum, with this example being among the finest of this elite group.

Certificate(s):
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Realized: $23,000

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Lot 3113 E   

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black, small die proof on India paper, die sunk on card (70x84mm) showing full die sink, with "441" die number and small National Bank Note Co. imprint below, fresh, Very Fine (formerly 56TC1), very rare, the finer of two known.
Scott No. 65-E15c    $2,000.

Realized: $1,150

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Lot 3114 E   

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in scarlet, trial color plate proof on India paper (formerly No. 56TC3), bottom margin plate number "2" strip of 4 with imprint, clear margins, bright color, small sealed tear at top & small margin thin at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance.
Scott No. 65-E15f    $1,400 as singles.

Realized: $1,450

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Lot 3115 E   

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in brown rose, finished plate essay on semi-transparent stamp paper, perf'd and gummed (formerly No. 56), right margin single, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine; with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 65-E15h    $550.

A VERY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN GEM NEVER HINGED CONDITION SUCH AS THIS.



Certificate(s):
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Realized: $1,050

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Lot 3116 E   

1861, 5¢ Jefferson, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black, trial color large die proof on India paper (formerly No. 57TC1), die sunk on card (91x94mm) showing full die sink, with "442" die number and small "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprint below, light horizontal card crease long die sink at bottom and some faint tone spots, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare large die proof, one of only a couple examples known still on original card.
Scott No. 67-E9a    $2,500.

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Lot 3117 ()   

1861, 5¢ brown, First Design, no gum, outstanding centering for this rare issue, sharp impression, exceptionally fresh color, Extremely Fine and choice, with Scott catalog value for examples bearing small faults, ex-Seymour, Lutwak & Zoellner; with 1961, 1976 & 1998 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 57    $30,000.

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THIS CLASSIC RARITY IN SOUND CONDITION - ONE OF ONLY FIVE.

According to the Siegel Census, there are five examples in sound condition with another six stamps (one of which is in the New York Public Library collection) where the condition is unknown, leaving this as one of the finest known.

Certificate(s):
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Lot 3118 P   

1861, 12¢ black, First Design, large die proof on India paper, on card (72 x 85mm) showing virtually complete die sink, showing light layout lines at top corners of design, "444" & "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprints below, couple trivial spots, still Very Fine, a very rare large die proof of the 12¢ First Design, ex-Finkelburg & "Lake Shore".
Scott No. 59P1    $2,500.

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Lot 3119 P   

1861, 12¢ black, First Design, plate proof on India paper, block of 4, large even margins, bright and fresh with deep color, Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott No. 59P3    $1,400 as singles.

Realized: $400

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