Sale 1040 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 26-28 March, 2013
Category — 1c-12c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5A-17)
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 8R1E, large margins to clear, rich color on bright paper, neat strike of blue circular datestampVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ib FROM PLATE ONE EARLY, FROM ONE OF THE TWO POSITIONS THAT FURNISHED THE BEST TYPE Ib EXAMPLES.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp from Plate 1 Early. Six positions on Plate 1E furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib -- Positions 3-6R and 8-9R -- distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were ironed out when the entries were made below them. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.
With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ only prices the less distinct positions for type, at $9,750.00. Scott Catalogue applies a 50% premium for the two better positions)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Deep rich Plate 4 color on bright paper, large margins to full, face-free strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia WITH A LIGHT CANCEL AND MARGINS THAT ALLOW THE FULL TYPE CHARACTERISITICS TO BE SEEN.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The extremely rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).
With 2009 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 1 Late (7 var). Position 4R1L, original gum, lightly hinged, large even margins, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM PLATE 1 LATE. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE SOLD SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Position 4R was a Type Ib position on Plate 1 Early. When Plate 1 was reworked by re-entering subjects from the transfer roll and strengthening the tops and bottoms of 199 of the 200 positions, only 4R1L was left without any form of recut. 4R became Type II because some of the design at the bottom was burnished away. However, 4R on Plate 1 Late still shows the complete design at top, and has a strong double transfer from re-entries made when the plate was reworked. Examples of 4R1L are very scarce, and unused copies are rare. This original-gum example is an important rarity for the 1851 Issue specialist. A review of our auction records with Power Search produced a small number of used examples. Only one other original-gum 4R1L turned up, but it is cut into the design at right. An unused pair (no gum) with positions 4R-5R1L was sold in our Hampshire sale (Sale 983). There must be others outside the present scope of our database, but clearly this is an extremely rare item.
With 1988 and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins to clear, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2004 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,400.00)
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (7 var). Position 2L2, showing major plate crack at right, large margins to just barely touched at upper left, neat grid cancel and also with red Boston circular datestamp, faults including few creases, otherwise Very Fine
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, large and even margins all around, intense shade and impression, face-free strike of blue circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH HUGE MARGINS.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Position 55L1, large part original gum, h.r., large margins to barely touched at top left, intense color and impression, Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Recut on right inner line only, large to huge margins including parts of adjoining stamps at top and right, incredibly beautiful intense color, tied by vivid red grid on piece with matching "Cincinnati O. Jul. 13" (1851) circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp and fabulous piece which realized $100 in our October 1972 auction of the Marc Haas collection of used classics off cover, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate, P.S.E. does not assign numerical grades to stamps on piece
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Position 41L2E, huge margins to clear including left sheet margin with "ter, Casilier & Co., BANK NOTE EN" portion of imprint, brilliant color, crisp impression, neat strike of "Washington City D.C. Ma?. 16" circular datestamp, tiny scissors-cut in margin at bottom left, Very Fine, scarce with the part imprint, with 2011 P.F. certificate
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Large even margins, radiant color nicely complemented by blue circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $230.00)
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Original gum, lightly hinged, large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at left, trace of oxidation, still Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Huge margins all around including parts of five adjoining stamps, brilliant color, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Block of four, original gum, top stamps h.r., large margins to full including part of adjoining stamps at bottom, beautiful rich color and sharp impression, trivial toned spot at right center, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a scarce block in this quality
3c Experimental Orange Brown, Ty. II (11A var). Full to huge margins, including parts of two adjoining stamps, radiant color nicely contrasted by blue Philadelphia circular datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this rare shade, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; this rare shade unpriced in SMQ)
5c Red Brown (12). Unused (no gum), ample to large margins, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE IN SOUND CONDITION.
With 2006 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (12). Three huge margins to full at right, bright shade, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice
5c Red Brown (12). Three large margins to full at top, light red circular datestamp, slight toning, otherwise Very Fine
5c Red Brown (12). Ample margins to touched at bottom, strong impression, light town datestamp, Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Large even margins all around, intense shade and impression, neat strike of circular datestamp at top leaves the type characteristics clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IN THE FINEST CONDITION POSSIBLE.
The 10c Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). For some reason, they were usually trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies. This example, with its enormous margins, is an extreme exception to the rule.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,475.00)
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Horizontal pair from the bottom row of Plate 1, large margins, intense color and crisp impression, light strikes of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED PAIR OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I.
The 10c Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). For some reason, they were usually trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies. This pair, with its enormous margins, is one of the finest multiples we have encountered.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; multiples are unpriced in SMQ)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins to full, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE II.
The color and impression of this stamp are unusually intense.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Huge margins all around including sheet margin with part imprint at right, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, bold strike of San Francisco circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT COPY OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE II. THE NUMBER OF IMPRINT SINGLES CAN PROBABLY BE COUNTED ON ONE HAND.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00 as 90, $650.00 as 95). The graders at P.S.E. traditionally do not add points for the rarity of stamps with imprints or plate numbers, and sometimes take off points because the margins do not appear balanced. Grading should be tossed out when considering the rarity of this stamp with imprint.
10c Green, Ty. II, III (14-15). Ample to choice large margins, Ty. II Position 59L, both rich color, former light circular datestamp, Very Fine; latter bold blue circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, 1986 and 2001 P.F. certificates respectively
10c Dark Green, Ty. III (15). Large to huge margins, including part of adjoining stamps at bottom and right, intense color, bold grid cancel at right edge leaving the vignette clearly visible, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2012 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large to huge margins including sheet margin at left, bright color on crisp paper, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Scarsdale, with 2001 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Large to enormous margins, including right interpane margin with centerline, deep rich color with light circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 3R1, recut at top, the misplaced relief position showing breaks in lines above each "X", huge margins, rich color on bright paper, nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp at left which leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE FROM THE MISPLACED RELIEF POSITION -- THE ONLY RECUT POSITION ON THE RIGHT PANE OF THE PLATE.
The first 10c plate of 200 (left and right panes of 100) was laid down using a three-subject transfer roll with relief types A, B and C. The C Relief was used only for the bottom row (all Type I design). The A Relief (Type II design) was used to enter the entire second row, and the B Relief (Type III design) was used for the third row. This A/B alternating relief pattern was followed consistently for the fourth through ninth rows. The top row was entered with the A Relief, except for three positions: Positions 1 and 2 in the left pane, and Position 3 in the right pane. These “misplaced reliefs” are B Reliefs, and Positions 1L and 2L are Type III designs, while Position 3R was recut (Type IV).
Position 3R1, one of the three misplaced relief positions on the plate, is also one of eight recut (Type IV) positions and the only recut position on the entire right pane of the plate.
With 1991 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
12c Black (17). Original gum, h.r. at bottom, large even margins, crisp impression, bright shadeEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A RARE AND SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH PROOF-LIKE IMPRESSION, SHOWING EVERY MINUTE DETAIL OF THE LATHEWORK ENGRAVING THAT DISTINGUISHES TOPPAN, CARPENTER'S WORK IN SECURITY PRINTING.
The 12c issue was printed from a plate that provided little space between stamps. Copies such as this one with extra wide margins are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition.
With 2005 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90).
12c Black (17). Unused (no gum), full to large margins including framelines of adjoining stamp at left and trace at bottom right, deep shade, light horizontal crease, Very Fine appearance, ex Neinken, with 1970 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Very Thin Paper (17 var). Large margins to ample at top right, distinctive grayish shade and fine impression which are typical of printing on thin paper, grid cancel, Very Fine, ex Hansen, with 2011 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Large to huge margins, including part sheet or interpane margin at left, shows traces to parts of others stamps on the remaining three sides, light shade, part circular datestamp, Extremely Fine
12c Black (17). Clear to huge margins showing bits to parts of three adjoining stamps, neat red circular datestamp, Very Fine