Sale 1391 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 13-15 October, 2026
Category — Specialized Private Die Proprietary Issues: Medicine Companies, Letters L thru Z
Jacob Lippman & Bro., 4c Milky Blue, Old Paper (RS163a). Bright color, few faults including thin spots and some splitting along central crease reinforced by hinge, otherwise Fine and presentable example of this scarce stamp, only 22 recorded in the Aldrich census, we have offered only one sound copy and we doubt more than a small handful exist in that condition
Jacob Lippman & Bros., 4c Blue, Silk Paper (RS163b). Rich color in a dark shade, completely intact perforations, two tiny tears and two faint creases
FRESH AND FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE JACOB LIPPMAN & BROS. 4-CENT ON SILK PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN.
Since we have yet to encounter a well-centered or fault-free example, this stamp may be considered among the finest available. The faults are very minor and the appearance is far better than normally encountered. The Aldrich census contains just sixteen. Ex "World Traveler" and "Dragonfly". With 2020 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
2020 PF No. 567471 View Cert
Alvah Littlefield, 4c Green, Old Paper (RS165a). Deep rich color, 1871 manuscript cancel, light crease at bottom right, few thin spots, Fine appearance, only 21 are recorded in the Aldrich census and many have perfs into the design, are faulty or both, every copy we have offered of this rarity has faults to some degree, some quite severe
T. W. Marsden, 4c Black, Old Paper (RS176a). Choice centering with wide margins, intense shade, small perf tear and thin spot at top, otherwise Very Fine, only 40 are recorded in the Aldrich census and approximately half are potentially sound (and probably less), ex Tolman
Mercado & Seully, 2c Black, Old Paper (RS177a). Full margins to just in at top, intense shade, two or three very small and shallow thin spots, light creases and small tears
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT MERCADO AND SEULLY PRIVATE DIE PROPRIETARY ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN EXAMPLES OF THIS ISSUE FROM THIS SAN FRANCISCO PRODUCER ARE KNOWN.
The Aldrich book records 15 copies of this rarity, of which five are stated to be sound. We have offered six others since keeping computerized records and none were sound, so we suspect that number is actually lower than five. Many examples have severe faults including repairs, holes, stains or large tears. This stamp was designed to be affixed over the cork and down the neck of bottles of Sausevain's Bitters so it is easy to see why most would have been destroyed and survivors would be typically faulty. It is only known on old paper.
Merchant's Gargling Oil, 1c Black, Pink Paper (RS178c). Intense shade, faint horizontal crease and small thin spot at top, still Fine and rare, only 17 are recorded in the Aldrich book, only nine are potentially sound, and only nine are centered Fine or better (some of which have faults), we have offered only two others since keeping computerized records and this is the first we have offered since the 2017 Inman sale
Merchant's Gargling Oil, 1c Black, Experimental Silk Paper (RS178e). Showing few small silk fibers, centered to bottom left, small thins and additional small faults, Fine appearance, only 12 are recorded in Aldrich book with at least half faulty, the example offered here has centering similar to most of the others we have sold, with 2013 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2013 PF No. 512760 View Cert
Merchant's Gargling Oil, 2c Green, Pink Paper (RS179c). Deep rich color, few faults including pulled perfs, otherwise Fine, the Aldrich census contains 20 examples and half are potentially sound, we have offered only four others since keeping computerized records (one sound)
Merchant's Gargling Oil, 2c Green, Experimental Silk Paper (RS179e). Centered to top right, showing few small blue silk fibers, completely sound, Fine and rare, only eight are recorded in the Aldrich book and perhaps half are sound, we have sold six others (one sound, with similar centering) since keeping computerized records so no doubt the census numbers have increased since the book was published
Certificate
2021 PF No. 574259 View Cert
Dr. C. C. Moore, 2c Black, USIR Watermark (RS184d). Top imprint and plate no. 54 block of twelve, with National Bank Note Co. part of imprint crossed out, original gum, Fine and scarce multiple, accompanied by 1c top imprint and plate no. 103 strip of four American Bank Note Co. part of imprint crossed out and with "Bu. E & P" imprint, no gum, Very Fine pair of multiples, ex Joyce, Scott value as singles $360
Morehead's, 4c Black, Old Paper (RS186a). Bright shade, faults, including repaired at top right, still appears Fine, rare with only 17 recorded in Aldrich book and nearly all are faulty, ex "Scarsdale"
Dr. M. Perl & Co., 6c Black, Old Paper (RS188a). Intense shade and impression, margins clear to just in, few faults including creases and small toned spots, otherwise Fine, only 23 are recorded in the Aldrich book and most have faults
Bennett Pieters & Co., 4c Black, Old Paper (RS191a). With intact perfs at right, choice centering, few light wrinkles, faint vertical crease at center, Very Fine appearance, only 41 are recorded in the Aldrich census and we have not encountered a sound example, many have perfs touching the design
Bennett Pieters & Co., 6c Black, Old Paper (RS192a). Choice centering, few faults including expertly repaired at right, otherwise Very Fine, only 20 are recorded in the Aldrich book and of these only four are potentially sound, ex Inman
Ring's Vegetable Ambrosia, 2c Blue, Silk Paper, Imperforate (RS199b). Full margins to just clear at left, deep color and razor-sharp impression, completely sound
VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT RING'S VEGETABLE AMBROSIA ON SILK PAPER.
Only 20 are recorded in the Aldrich census.
Ring's Vegetable Ambrosia, 4c Black, Silk Paper, Perforated (RS203b). Choice centering, detailed impression, tiny thin speck, Very Fine appearance, only 24 are recorded in the Aldrich census (several of those faulty)
Ring's Vegetable Ambrosia, 4c Black, USIR Watermark, Perforated (RS203d). Original gum, h.r. covering repair, few other small faults, Very Fine appearance, only thirteen recorded in the Aldrich book and only a small portion sound
Scheetz's Bitter Cordial, 4c Black, Perforated, Silk Paper (RS210b). Sharp impression, slight soiling at top right, otherwise Fine, a most elusive stamp, only 39 are recorded in the Aldrich book
Schenck's Mandrake Pills, 1c Green, Experimental Silk Paper (RS212e). Large margins to clear, rich color, sealed tear at top, tiny pinhole at bottom center, Fine appearance, rare, we have offered only one other since keeping computerized records, with note from Eric Jackson
Schenck's Pulmonic Syrup, 6c Black, USIR Watermark (RS213d). Beautiful large margins, fresh, few minor thin spots, Very Fine and choice appearance, ex "Scarsdale" and Inman, with 2006 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2006 PF No. 434241 View Cert
Schenck's Pulmonic Syrup, 6c Black, Experimental Silk Paper (RS213e). Large margins to barely in at bottom left, clear short blue silk fibers, thinned, still Fine appearing, surprisingly scarce, this is the only example we have offered since keeping computerized records, ex "Scarsdale", with 2012 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2012 PF No. 508112 View Cert
J. E. Schwartz & Co., 1c Lake, Pink Paper (RS215c). Large margins to ample, rich color, trivial natural inclusion at bottom center, Very Fine, only 26 are recorded in the Aldrich census
Dr. E. L. Soule & Co., N.Y. Wrapper, 1c Blue, Old Paper, X. Bazin Foreign Entry (RS226a var). Complete wrapper, usual faults along the folds including repaired tears, creases, small holes and soiling, Fine appearance, rare with the X. Bazin essay foreign entry, very few of these are recorded, for more information about the foreign entry see Andrew P. Ferry's article in the October 1994 American Revenuer, with 2024 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2024 PF No. 606186 View Cert
Dr. E. L. Soule & Co., Syracuse Wrapper, 1c Blue, Silk Paper, X. Bazin Foreign Entry (RS227b var). Showing foreign entry of the design of No. RT1, large margins to just touched at left, usual light creases and internal tears but in better condition than many, Very Fine appearance
William Swaim, 8c Orange, USIR Watermark, Imperforate (RS234d). Large margins to clear at left, rich color, small ink mark at bottom, tiny pinhole at left, Very Fine and attractive, only 35 examples are recorded in the Aldrich book, which notes that more than half are sound, we doubt that figure as virtually every example we have offered since keeping computerized records has had a fault
Dr. G. W. Swett, 4c Green, Silk Paper, Perforated (RS237b). Choice centering, uncommonly fresh, trivial thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance, ex "World Traveler"
Dr. G. W. Swett, 4c Green, USIR Watermark, Perforated (RS237d). Bold color, light wrinkle and some soiling, Fine appearance, scarce, only 19 are recorded in the Aldrich census and of these only five are potentially sound
Dr. G. W. Swett, 4c Green, USIR Watermark, Perf and Die Cut (RS238d). Well-balanced margins, rich color in a dark shade, a few small thin spots at top
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE DR. G. W. SWETT 4-CENT PERF AND DIE CUT ISSUE ON WATERMARKED PAPER.
The Aldrich book records only nine copies, at least six of which are faulty. Ex "World Traveler". With 2020 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
2010 PF No. 567459 View Cert
United States Proprietary Medicine Co., 4c Black, Experimental Silk Paper (RS243e). Choice centering, tiny pinhole, two internal creases and scuff at top center, Very Fine appearance, scarce, ex "Dragonfly", with 2024 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2024 PF No. 602044 View Cert
United States Proprietary Medicine Co., 6c Black, Old Paper (RS244a). Defective including repaired adding portions of the design, still a reasonable appearing example of this very scarce stamp, only 20 are recorded in the Aldrich book and most have significant faults
U.S. Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Wrapper, Old Paper (RS247a). Huge margins top and bottom, merely large at sides, small tear in upper left margin, appears Extremely Fine, a premium example of this issue, with 2026 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2026 PF No. 619339 View Cert
U.S. Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Wrapper, Silk Paper (RS247b). Reduced at top and bottom as are many but still well clear of design, few stain spots in right margin
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT SILK PAPER BLACK ON ORANGE WRAPPER. PERHAPS SIX ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF MEDICINE ISSUES.
The Aldrich book records only four examples, all of which are faulty. We have offered six, including one trimmed to design size. With 2021 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2021 PF No. 580544 View Cert
U.S. Proprietary Medicine Co., 1c Black on Orange Red Wrapper, Old Paper (RS248a). Three large margins, just in at left as are most, usual light creases associated with these issues
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT UNITED STATES PROPRIETARY MEDICINE COMPANY ISSUE ON ORANGE RED WRAPPER.
Only 16 are recorded in the Aldrich book, of which 10 are reported as faulty. Given the nature of this paper, its size and use, we would be surprised if there are any examples that are completely sound.
Dr. J. Walker, 4c Black, Experimental Silk Paper (RS253e). Detailed impression, few thins, creases and tears, still Fine and scarce stamp from a manufacturer whose claim to fame was that his products were free from alcohol, purple backstamp, with 2025 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2025 PF No. 614800 View Cert
Edward Wilder, 1c Green, Old Paper, Imperforate (RS265a). Large margins all around, deep rich color, small natural paper wrinkle at bottom left entirely in margin, Extremely Fine, rare in such choice condition, only 14 are recorded in the Aldrich book and fewer than half are sound (one is no longer considered Scott RS265a so the count now stands at 13)
Edward Wilder, 1c Green, Experimental Silk Paper, Die Cut (RS266e). Deep rich color, showing few small silk fibers, light vertical crease at right, additional tiny faults, otherwise Very Fine and scarce, we have offered only two others since keeping computerized records, with 2018 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2018 PF No. 553174 View Cert
Edward Wilder, 4c Vermilion, Silk Paper, Die Cut (RS267b). Rich color, thins, additional small faults and lightly soiled, otherwise Fine, only 18 are recorded in the Aldrich census, of which at least half are faulty to some degree, this is the sixth we have offered since keeping computerized records and only one was sound, with 2013 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2013 PF No. 512726 View Cert
Edward Wilder, 4c Lake, Silk Paper, Imperforate (RS268b). Horizontal pair, large margins including "Engraved by Butler & Ca" of imprint at bottom, few light creases, Extremely Fine, a rare pair and desirable with the partial imprint, Scott value as singles
Edward Wilder, 4c Lake, USIR Watermark, Imperforate (RS268d). Original gum, h.r., large margins all around, deeply rich color and a well-incised impression
EXTREMELY FINE. BY FAR THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE WILDER 4-CENT ON WATERMARKED PAPER WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.
We have sold only three other examples of this rare stamp since keeping computerized records. All three have thin spots. The Aldrich census records just thirteen. This copy ranks as one of the very finest (if not the finest) of the tiny number available.
Ex "World Traveler" and "Dragonfly". With 2020 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
2020 PF No. 569383 View Cert
Edward Wilder, 4c Lake, Old Paper, Die Cut (RS269a). Deep rich color, few small faults but in far better condition than normally found, Fine and attractive example of this scarce issue, only 13 are recorded in the Aldrich book and the majority have faults, for some reason the examples we were able to locate all have significant condition issues, including one separated and rejoined, this issue was lacking from the "Scarsdale" collection, the last example we offered was in our 2017 Inman sale
Rev. E. A. Wilson, 12c Blue, USIR Watermark (RS270d). Extra wide margins at sides, closer at top and bottom but perfectly centered, rich color, neat manuscript cancel, thin spot at bottom, appears Extremely Fine, the best-centered example we have encountered, only 35 are recorded in the Aldrich book which states that less than half are sound (it is probably well less than half)
J. H. Zetlin & Co., 2c Red, Silk Paper, Perforated (RS275b). Strong color, some blunted/nibbed perfs, otherwise Fine example of this elusive stamp, only 22 recorded in the Aldrich book, this is only the fifth different copy we have offered since keeping computerized records