Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — 1861-66 Issue: 2c-24c (Scott 73-78c)
2c Black (73). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1985 PF No. 0142682 View Cert
2c Black, Triple Transfer (73 var). Part original gum, h.r., showing the triple transfer at top in lettering, detailed impression, toned perf at upper left, otherwise Fine, ex Wagshal, this variety is listed in Scott but unpriced (it has a dash for used)
3c Scarlet (74). Unused (no gum), radiant color, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS.
The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893—probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition—and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870s, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.
With 1980 P.F. certificate. Scott value $7,000 with original gum.
Certificate
1980 PF No. 82202 View Cert
3c Scarlet, Imperforate (74TC6a; formerly 74a). Unused (no gum), huge margins all around, radiant color, Extremely Fine, ex Sapperstein, small backstamp, with 1983 P.F. certificate, Scott value $4,000 as a pair
Certificate
PF No. 0114531 View Cert
5c Red Brown (75). Original gum, h.r., lovely warm color
FRESH AND VERY FINE. A SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1862 5-CENT RED BROWN, SCOTT 75.
With 1981 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1981 PF No. 93809 View Cert
5c Dark Brown (76 var). Original gum, deep rich color and detailed impression, unusually wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1862 5-CENT IN THE DARK BROWN SUB-SHADE.
The Dark Brown shade used to be listed as Scott 76a, which is how this stamp was certified. At some point, Scott changed the definition of 76a to be Black Brown, and they moved the Dark Brown shade to be a sub-shade of the main listing. With 1985 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1985 PF No. 0141386 View Cert
15c Black (77). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, wide margins, small thin spot and nibbed perfs, otherwise Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1985 PF No. 0146943 View Cert
15c Black (77). Horizontal pair, original gum, showing doubling of all vertical perforations, few trivial toned spots at right from gum
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE 1866 15-CENT LINCOLN, SCOTT 77, WITH DOUBLING OF ALL VERTICAL PERFORATIONS.
Scott value $17,500 for normal pair.
15c Black, Imperforate (77 var). Large margins to clear, intense shade and impression, neat manuscript "X" mark, Very Fine and rare, this was likely a presentation copy, with 1980 and 1992 P.F. certificates, unlisted in Scott
24c Lilac (78). Original gum, crisp impression, reperfed at top, Very Fine appearance, with 1986 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1986 PF No. 0160776 View Cert
24c Lilac (78). Unused (traces of gum), rich color, choice centering, Very Fine and attractive, with 1990 P.F. certificate, Scott value $2,750 with original gum, $950 as no gum
Certificate
1990 PF No. 0233718 View Cert
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Original gum, deep rich color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and attractive, with 2005 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2005 PF No. 433647 View Cert
24c Grayish Lilac (78a). Unused (regummed), rich color in the distinctive Grayish Lilac shade, Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1981 PF No. 98810 View Cert
24c Gray (78b). Original gum, small h.r., intense shade, pulled perf at lower right not noted on certificate, otherwise Fine, with 1980 A.P.S. certificate
Certificate
1980 A.P.S. No. 39479 View Cert
24c Blackish Violet (78c). Original gum, small h.r., deep rich color in the true Blackish Violet shade, sharp proof-like impression on crisp paper, exceptional centering for this challenging issue with long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE. ONLY FOUR UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 1863 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET ARE RECORDED, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE TWO FINEST. ARGUABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE SHADES TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The Blackish Violet is a distinctive shade, which due to its intensity can sometimes be confused by the uninitiated with the 24c First Color, Scott 60. However, when one sees the true Blackish Violet, such as the example offered here, the differences become more manifest. Even though both printings have the same intensity, the Blackish Violet is significantly darker. Less distinct examples do not show this difference to such great effect.
Our records of the 24c Blackish Violet at https://siegelauctions.com/resources/census/us/scott/78c contain only three other unused examples of this shade, all with original gum. The first was offered in our 2009 Whitman sale and now resides in an important private collection. The second has a straight-edge at right and is centered to top. The third has some gum staining.
Ex Wunderlich and Zoellner where acquired by "Boardwalk". With 1987 P.F. certificate (the upper left corner perf is a "dogbone" perf that extends beyond boundary of the stamp—there is a tiny crease in it that is also outside the boundary, thus it is not noted on certificate and never will be, because the extra paper could be removed without effect).
Certificate
1987 PF No. 0170916 View Cert