Sale 1092 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 February, 2015
Category — 1847 Issue and 1875 Reproduction (Scott 1-4)
5c Red Brown (1). Block of four, original gum, large margins to just in at upper right with portion of adjoining frameline at top left, top left stamp huge margins, rich color, horizontal crease at top frame line of bottom pair, tiny scissors-cut between stamps at bottom, few light toned spots not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE-EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
The 1847 Issue is much scarcer in unused condition than other issues, because the stamps were demonetized in 1851. They could be exchanged for the new issue, but once the exchange period ended, the stamps would have no postage value. Considering the purchasing power of five or ten cents in 1851, it is not surprising that the stamps were either used or exchanged, rather than left for future generations of collectors.
We have identified 17 unused blocks of the 5c 1847 Issue. Excluded from this tally is what might be an unused block in the Webster Knight collection at Brown University and a block of 30 which has been rumored to exist for years.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to just in at top, rich color, bold red Herringbone fancy cancel of Binghamton N.Y., diagonal crease at bottom left, Fine appearance and a scarce cancel, with 2009 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large margins to full at upper right, neat red grid cancel, tiny margin tear at top, Very Fine appearance
5c Brown, 10c Black (1-2). Ample to large margins except touching to barely in one side of each, 5c tiny speck of red cancel at bottom right, 10c faint ms. cancel, both appear unused, Fine, excellent spacefillers for two unused stamps that would otherwise have a Scott Retail of $17,400.00
10c Black (2). Ample to full margins, red square grid cancel, fresh and Very Fine
5c Red Brown, Reproduction (3). Without gum as issued, rich color, large margins, Very Fine and choice
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproductions (3-4). Without gum as issued, large margins, 5c spots of original bluing on back, 10c tiny pinpoint thin speck, Extremely Fine appearance
10c Black, Reproduction (4). Without gum as issued, large even margins, crisp shade and impression, Extremely Fine