Rumsey fall auction series Nov. 11-15 in San Francisco features Grassi classic U.S. collection

By Charles Snee

Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions will offer a series of three sales Nov. 11-15 at its headquarters in San Francisco, Calif.

On Nov. 11-12, Rumsey will present its extensive fall sale of United States and worldwide stamps and postal history. Part 2 of the Armando Grassi collection of classic U.S. stamps will be up for bids Nov. 13-14.

The Nov. 15 sale of important Mexico stamps and postal history features the Omar Rodriguez collection of the 1861 issue by district and the Mishka collection of the 1864-66 Eagle issue.

Schuyler Rumsey, president of Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, provides his perspective on the Grassi collection in his introduction to the sale catalog.

“This second offering is composed of carefully and lovingly curated Classic Used United States Stamps, all in superb condition,” Rumsey said. “Dr. Grassi assembled his collection by cherry-picking ‘gems’ culled from the most significant collections offered in the last 30 years. In fact, his collection has so many important highlights, it’s impossible to choose just one to feature.”

“I hope you all will enjoy seeing the Grassi Collection and having the opportunity to capture some of its magic for your own collections,” Rumsey said.

A marvelous rarity from the Grassi collection is an attractive used combination pair of the U.S. 1851 1¢ blue type I Benjamin Franklin (Scott 5) and the 1¢ blue type Ib Benjamin Franklin (Scott 5A).

The left stamp is often referred to as “7R1E,” identifying it as coming from position 7 of the right pane on plate 1, early state, which is the only position of 200 on the early plate 1 to show a complete design and ornaments.

The stamp on the right is designated “8R1E,” meaning it comes from position 8 of the right pane on plate 1, early state. The stamp shows the complete design at top and almost complete design at the bottom.

Just 98 examples of Scott 5 are recorded, according to a census maintained by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries in New York City. The pair is identified as “5-MUL-060” in the Siegel census.

The first comprehensive census of Scott 5 was originally published in print by Jerome S. Wagshal (1928-2001).

The Rumsey catalog describes the pair as having “neat complimentary blue grid cancels, margins large to just touching scroll and plume at bottom left, strong and vividly bright distinctive plate one early color with a crisp detailed impression on fresh paper.”

According to Rumsey, the pair once graced the collections of Caspary, Ishikawa, Klein and Floyd.

Rumsey also provides some important background regarding previous auction descriptions and past certificates issued for the pair:

“Past auction descriptions have mentioned a couple of trivial flaws however, in our opinion, these are not evident and are perceived flaws by past describers,” Rumsey said. “A 1980 Philatelic Foundation certificate (#92312, missing) mentions, ‘tiny surface scuff at upper right’, however we find no evidence of this and this was confirmed by subsequent Foundation certificates in 1996 and 2006. Both of which make no mention of any faults of any kind.”

“To this end we resubmitted the pair for expertising specifically requesting that the condition be examined in detail to confirm the condition,” Rumsey said. “A brand new 2024 Philatelic Foundation certificate has been issued with no mention of any flaws.”

Rumsey lists this combination pair of the U.S. 1851 1¢ blue type I Benjamin Franklin and the 1¢ blue type Ib Benjamin Franklin at $85,000, the value for a Scott 5-5A pair in used condition in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.

Rumsey has prepared three separate catalogs for the trio of auctions to be held Nov. 11-15. The catalogs are available for download on the Rumsey website. Online bidding is through Stamp Auction Network.

For more information, email srumsey@rumseyauctions.com or write to Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, 47 Kearny St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94108.

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