1st Day-Siegel's Gross Sale Sales Of Note - Hammer Only; Buyer Fee, Tax And Shipping Not Included

This superb stamp with original gum is the only unused example of the distinctive Millbury postmaster's provisional stamp -- $250,000

New York, N.Y., 5¢ Black, Se-Tenant Pair, With "ACM" Initials and Without Initials (9X1/9X1e). Hammer $52,500

The sound unused example of the rare and coveted 1851 1¢ Blue Type I—Position 7R1E, Scott 5—the finest of the three known in unused condition -- Hammer $340,000

One of the finest original-gum examples of the 5¢ Brick Red, Scott 27, in existence -- Hammer $42,500.

The best centered and arguably the finest original-gum example of the 10¢ 1857 Type IV Perforated, Scott 34—one of the rarest classic stamps in original-gum state and almost impossible to find in higher grades of centering -- Hammer $160,000

One of the finest known examples of the 1¢ 1861 First Design, Scott 55—only eight are recorded in original-gum state and sound condition -- Hammer $67,500.

The only recorded postally used example of a 5¢ 1861 First Design stamp, Scott 57
5¢ Brown, First Design (57). Cancelled by neat strike of "Providence R.I. Jun. 22 ?? PM" -- Hammer $25,000.

A superb original-gum example of the rare 30¢ 1861 First Color, Scott 61—only seven known in sound condition with original gum -- Hammer $42,500.

The only recorded postally used example of the 30¢ 1861 First Color, Scott 61 -- Hammer $35,000.

The only example of the 1¢ Z Grill, Scott 85A, in private hands -- Hammer $3,700,000.

One of two known examples of the 15¢ Z Grill, Scott 85F -- Hammer $2,350,000.

An extremely rare original-gum example of the 2¢ D Grill, Scott 84, with right sheet selvage and wide balanced margins on other sides -- Hammer $15,000.

A magnificent 90¢ F Grill, Scott 101, with original gum and extraordinarily wide margins -- Hammer $45,000.

One of the three recorded unused examples of the 15¢ 1869 Pictorial Invert—one of the greatest rarities in United States philately -- Hammer $440,000.

One of the three unused examples of the 24¢ 1869 Pictorial Invert available to collectors—one of the keys to a complete unused set of the 1869 Inverts -- Hammer $310,000.

The ex-Hind 30¢ 1869 Invert—one of seven unused examples known of this rarity, of which only four are sound -- Hammer $265,000.

Probably the finest example of the 15¢ 1869 Re-issue imperforate horizontally in existence, as single -- Hammer $21,000.

The only recorded example of Scott 164, 24¢ Purple, Continental Printing, Ribbed Paper -- Hammer $700,000.

1¢ Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, with bottom sheet selvage showing part of imprint, well-centered with intact perforations all around, Very Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $16,500.

2¢ Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, with bottom sheet selvage showing part of imprint, well-centered with intact perforations all around, Very Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $9,500.

6¢ Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, with top sheet selvage showing large part of imprint, intact perforations all around, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $19,500.

7¢ Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, with top sheet selvage showing large part of imprint, mostly intact perforations all around, pulled perf, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $6,000

12¢ Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, with bottom sheet selvage showing large part of imprint, perfs partly trimmed at right, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $11,500.

24¢ Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, with bottom sheet selvage showing large part of imprint, intact perforations all around, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $10,500.

30¢ Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, with bottom sheet selvage showing large part of imprint, intact perforations all around, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $14,000.

90¢ Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, with top sheet selvage, intact perforations all around, Fine, signed Bloch -- Hammer $25,000.

2¢ Carmine Vermilion, Special Printing (180). Without gum as issued, vivid color and bright fresh paper, wide margins and almost perfectly centered, intact perforations all around without any scissors-separation, Extremely Fine Gem -- Hammer $70,000.

5¢ Bright Blue, Special Printing (181). Without gum as issued, crisp shade and impression on bright fresh paper, attractively centered, intact perforations all around without any scissors-separation, Very Fine, "W.H.C." backstamp applied by Warren H. Colson -- Hammer $480,000.

2¢ Brown, Special Printing (193). Without gum as issued, intense shade and beautifully centered, Very Fine and choice -- Hammer $16,500.

------------------------------------------20Th Century------------------------------------


1¢ Green & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Original gum, small hinge remnant, rich color and very fresh, centered to left, Fine, signed "JWS" in pencil on back -- Hammer $7,500.

2¢ Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered, bright color and clear impressions of vignette and frame, negligible tiny corner perf crease at top right, still Extremely Fine and one of the best centered examples of this major invert error -- Hammer $23,000.

4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Original gum, precise centering, rich color and sharp impressions, fresh and Extremely Fine -- Hammer $65,000.

(314A). Original gum, essentially never hinged except for a tiny spot at lower right, large margins at sides showing Schermack Type III perforations, centered to top, extraordinary rich color, tiny natural inclusion in "E" of "STATES" and Grant's cheek (not noted on certificate), fresh and Very Fine, light pencil "JHE" initials on back -- Hammer $80,000.

One of the three guideline multiples of the extremely rare 1¢ 1908 vertical coil, Scott 316—only ten multiples of any kind are known....1¢ Blue Green, Coil (316). Vertical guideline pair, stamps separated and rejoined with a hinge, deep shade and fresh paper, perforated just below line so that this important feature shows clearly, tiny corner perf crease at bottom right, still Fine -- Hammer $150,000.

A choice pair of the 2¢ 1908 Vertical Coil, Scott 321—only four pairs and two singles on separate covers are available to collectors. 2¢ Carmine, Type I, Coil (321). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color and bright fresh paper, Very Fine, signed "E Stern" in pencil on back -- Hammer $925,000.

4¢ Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on blued paper, wide margin at bottom and balanced other three sides, Very Fine -- Hammer $14,500.

8¢ Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful shade on blued paper, nicely balanced margins, Very Fine and choice -- Hammer $18,500.

3¢ Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Unused (no gum), characteristic deep shade, centered to right, Fine, signed "OK YS" by Y. Souren in pencil on back -- Hammer $42,500.

3¢ Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Pair, original gum, characteristic deep shade, centered to left with perforations slightly in at left, Fine -- Hammer $140,000.

This stamp with original gum and plate number selvage is the only recorded unused example of the 2¢ Compound Perf 12 x 10, Scott 423B—the key to a complete collection of unused United States stamps. 2¢ Rose Red, Type I, Perf 12 x 10 (423B). Original gum, barely hinged, plate number 7082 in selvage at top, deep rich color on bright white paper, fresh and Very Fine -- Hammer $225,000.

One of seven confirmed sound examples of the 5¢ Compound Perf 12 x 10, Scott 423C. 5¢ Blue, Perf 12 x 10 (423C). Lightly struck framed postmark from a Pennsylvania post office, centered to lower right, but sound and Fine, initialed "SA" by Spencer Anderson in pencil on back -- Hammer $17,000.

A sound example of the 1¢ 1923 Rotary Press Perf 11, Scott 596—only four of the 15 known examples of this major 20th century rarity are confirmed sound. 1¢ Green, Rotary Perf 11 (596). "Kansas City Mo." Bureau precancel, deep shade, centered to left, fresh and Fine -- Hammer $135,000.

A well-centered, lightly cancelled 2¢ Harding Rotary Perf 11, Scott 613—one of the outstanding rarities of United States 20th century philately. 2¢ Harding, Rotary Perf 11 (613). Well-centered, lightly cancelled by wavy-line machine cancel, faint diagonal crease at top left, really very trivial and otherwise Very Fine -- Hammer $165,000.

A beautiful, fresh example of the Inverted Jenny, the world's most famous stamp rarity. 24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (C3a). Position 69, the ninth stamp in the seventh row of the sheet of 100 purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and extraordinary freshness, well-centered with wide margins, Very Fine and choice -- Hammer $420,000.

The Franklin Carrier Reprint, Perf 12 on white paper, Scott LO4, is one of the rarest stamps in philately, with just one pair and one single available to collectors. (1¢) Blue, Franklin Carrier, Special Printing, Perf 12 (LO4). Without gum as issued, deep shade and proof-like impression on bright white paper, centered to top as are all five known examples, a few short perforations at left, still Fine -- Hammer $27,000.

A well-centered example of the 3¢ 1879 American Bank Note Co. Special Printing, Scott J10—the rarest of the Postage Due Special Printings. 3¢ Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), choice centering, crisp shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine, signed in pencil on back "Sp. Ptg J. M. Bartels" -- Hammer $9,500.

Last Lot----
An impressive complete set of 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Special Printings of the 1¢ through 90¢ Official issues—lacking only the State Department dollar values for completion. 1¢-90¢ 1875 Official Special Printings, Specimen Overprints (O1S-O67S, O72S-O93S). Complete set of 1¢ through 90¢ 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Official Special Printings, without gum as issued, almost all sides with full perfs, just a couple affected by scissors-separation, mostly Fine centering with some Very Fine, bright colors, small flaws to be found as usual including some mostly non-obvious perf faults and thins, a number of the Special Printing stamps are mounted on top of an unused example of the normal issue (which are not counted in our Scott value), overall Fine appearance -- Hammer $16,000.

Total Hammer for the first 100 lots was OVER $15,000,000. Exact number spoken too quickly for me to get. Auctioneer's comment was, "tomorrow will be all gravy."


2nd day as of when I edited the title here has seen the first 80 lots sold will all but three lots going for four or five figures hammer. Two of the three hit four figures with the buyers fee. Otherwise, I don't plan to post about today's session.

Simple answer here , Chairman Xi of China , this year sold $55,000,000,000 in U.S. Treasuries {that is the largest world financial transaction } during the past few weeks . So maybe he was filling a few spots in his stamp collection .

China? Buying US Stamps? Not likely. Unless they are looking for more new samples to counterfeit.

So they sold $55B. They still have $800B to go. With that amount of cash they could buy 90 Thousand one-cent Magentas. (Though obviously if 90 thousand existed, they wouldn't be worth nearly as much).

Bidding was strong in the Gross sale, with a room full of buyers and many telephone and vetted internet bidders. Sales frequently reached or exceeded estimates, and while there were a few repeat winners, many buyers went home with just a single item. There weren't any bully bidders with new lottery money that wanted to buy everything at any price. I see that a lot at "normal" auctions, especially with collections, where a single bidder shuts everyone else out and cleans the table buying numerous lots in a row.

One lot that surprised me was the #164 24c Continental that sold for only twice what it sold for 20 years ago (357K->700K). Being "only one copy known to exist", I thought it would reach the $1M+ price tag that other singletons fetched. I guess the 164 doesn't have the long history and provenance of the Z grills to make it more popular.

There was one bidder who took the lion's share of the provisionals. There was one bidder who took almost all the special printings around lots 45-55. Whoever T7 is he bid everyone of those until he won. I'm pretty sure I cost him a good 20k by being the under bidder.

Zebra - I was also in the room and would only dispute your comment about the room being full of bidders. Based on the number of departures after the 164, (looked to me as though 60% left), and the paucity of floor bids, I'd suggest most people came to watch an event.

Yes, maybe the most watched auction of the year.

Maybe???

eyeonwall ha ha. Yes. Sometimes I leave myself hedges. Probably it was the most watched auction of all-time.

Was this largely parochial, or was there international interest?

Just by asking the question I think you supplied the answer GeoffHa. Mostly parochial with some international interest I would think. Remember, Americans tend towards hyperbole. In my opinion.

The sale would be of interest to US stamp collectors, no matter where they are located geographically.

What does American hyperbole have to do with whether there was an international interest?

With both bidding by computer plus add to that the use of agents ,you would never know where the winning bid is coming from plus the use of mail drops your still not sure who finally receives the item .

Just so you don't think ,somebody on a computer can find out who is doing what ........Last week the Chinese sold 55 Billion dollars of U.S. Treasuries and they did it thru a Belgium Bank and a few hours later someone sold 22 Billion dollars of U.S. Treasuries and the Chinese said it wasn't them and they know nothing about that . So you think you could follow a thousand dollars in stamps when nobody can track 22 Billion dollars this past week . right .

Let me get a picture here ----a few months ago we seen 200 billion dollars flee California Banks within a few hours and now we see someone cashing in 77 billion dollars of U.S. BONDS while the whole philatelic market can be controlled with about 200 million dollars and your surprised when stamp prices see a raise in price ,which is a drop in the bucket to the kind of money being moved around .

The Chinese dumped the US bonds either because they thought it was a good financial move or because they wanted to punish the US. Stamps are very different than bonds. They are far less liquid and far less predictable and it is unlikely anyone is going to throw significant money into the stamp market as an investment, but if 2 rich people decide to start collecting the same area, then of course they will push up the prices of the scarcest stamps, but it will have little effect on what us mere mortals collect.

One item that took a bit of a hit, was Lot 4 - the Se-tenant pair of NY provisionals.

In the Frelinghuysen sale in 2012, it hammered for 75K, vs 52.5K here.

The Frelinghuysen sale was the only time this item had changed hands in modern times, so there haven't been many sale datapoints for it. Also its a very specialized item; albeit quite cool nonetheless.