Sale 993 — The Wagshal Collection, Part 1: 1845-69 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 29 September, 2010
Category — 5c 1847 Issue - Double Transfers
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. A (1-A). Position 80R1, deep rich color and proof-like impression, large margins, neat strike of red New York square grid cancel, Extremely Fine example of this 5c 1847 double transfer
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. A (1-A). Position 80R1, huge margins including sheet margin at right, lightened manuscript cancel, some faults, otherwise Extremely Fine example of this variety, especially desirable with the sheet margin
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. B (1-B). Position 90R1, rich color, large even margins, neat strike of red New York square grid cancel, faint manuscript offset on back, tiny thin speck, Extremely Fine appearance
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. B (1-B). Position 90R1, intense shade and impression, large margins including sheet margin at right, barely in at bottom, Fine example of this variety
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. B (1-B). Position 90R1, also with unusual extension of frameline at top right, tied by red grid, matching "Rockville Ct. Aug. 2?" circular datestamp on blue cover to Norfolk Conn., Very Fine, a very unusual stamp, illustrated in Brookman on p. 45 where he states that the extension of the frameline has nothing to do with the double transfer and probably did not occur again at this position
5c Orange Brown, Double Transfer Ty. C (1b-C). Ample to large margins, brilliant color, light strike of red grid cancel, the double transfer is clearly evident at lower left and in the bottom frameline at left, faint pressed-out vertical creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE DISCOVERY COPY OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE C. VERY FEW EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN.
In an article in the August 1995 Chronicle, Jerome S. Wagshal summarized previous writings on this double transfer. It was first discovered by Dan Hammatt around 1920. Mr. Wagshal recorded a total of 13-1/2 copies (one is a half-stamp in a strip). He also echoes Ashbrook's theory that this and the double transfer Type D were created when the plate was reworked sometime in late 1850 and were only part of the fifth delivery from RWH&E in December 1850. This would account for their scarcity compared to the Type A and B double transfers, and it seems to be confirmed by the two examples known on cover, which were described by Ashbrook as 1851 usages. The distinctive Orange Brown shade also points to the Fifth Delivery.
Accompanied by part of 1942 Ashbrook article from The Stamp Specialist
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. D (1-D). Horizontal pair, left stamp shows the double transfer, showing re-entry of top, bottom and left framelines and also numerals, red grid cancels, vertical scoring line is mostly between stampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE DISCOVERY COPY OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH TYPE D DOUBLE TRANSFER. FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, THIS WAS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE. LESS THAN A DOZEN ARE KNOWN TODAY.
In an article in the 1942 Stamp Specialist, Stanley Ashbrook describes the four double transfers that were known at the time. The Type D was discovered by Ashbrook in 1921 in the collection of noted philatelist Judge Robert S. Emerson. After publishing his discovery, serious philatelists of the day looked for confirming copies but were unable to find any. Finally, more than 20 years later, Lambert Gerber found one, as the top left stamp in a block of four. It is believed that this and the double transfer Type C were created when the plate was reworked sometime in late 1850 and were only part of the Fifth Delivery from RWH&E in December 1850. This would account for their scarcity compared to the Type A and B double transfers.
Ex Emerson. Accompanied by copy of Ashbrook's diagram. Scott Retail as just the single double transfer $3,250.00
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1-E). Showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large margins, rich color, light strike of red New York square grid cancel leaves double transfer clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" -- DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE E -- OF WHICH PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate."
Ex Rust. Undercatalogued in Scott at $1,600.00 -- the last example we sold, ten years ago, brought $6,500 hammer.
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1-E). Showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large even margins, deep rich color, bold strike of red New York square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" -- DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE E -- OF WHICH PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN. THE PLACEMENT OF THE CANCELLATION LEAVES ALL OF THE RE-ENTRY LINES VISIBLE.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate."
Undercatalogued in Scott at $1,600.00 -- the last example we sold, ten years ago, brought $6,500 hammer.
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1-E). Showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large margins all around, bright shade nicely complemented by blue Philadelphia circular datestamp, negligible small thin spot at top centerEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" -- DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE E -- OF WHICH PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate."
Undercatalogued in Scott -- the last example we sold, ten years ago, brought $6,500 hammer.
5c Grayish Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1a-E). Beautiful shade, showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", full to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at top, tied by red grid, matching "Providence R.I. Jan. 20" circular datestamp and matching "5" handstamp on 1848 folded letter to New Bedford Mass., light vertical file fold well away from stampVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" ON A COVER. THIS JANUARY 1848 COVER PROVES BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT THE MOWER SHIFT EXISTED ON THE ORIGINAL STATE OF THE PLATE. IT MAY ALSO BE UNIQUE IN THIS SHADE. A FANTASTIC EXHIBITION ITEM.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate." His theory is confirmed by this cover and one other, dated at Boston on July 5, 1848. The 5c plate was not reworked until late in 1850.
With 1989 P.S.E. certificate.
5c Orange Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1b-E). Radiant color in the distinctive Orange Brown shade, showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large even margins all around, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Philada Pa. 5cts. Jan. 27" integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to Princeton N.J., trivial age spottingVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE ON COVER. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate."
Ex Gibson and Rust. With 1990 P.F. certificate. This shade with the Double Transfer Type E is not listed in Scott..
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. F, The "Wagshal Shift" (1-F). Clear double transfer of top frameline, upper part of side frameline, "U" and "Post Office", large to ample margins, bright shade, neat strike of red New York square grid cancelVERY FINE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE "WAGSHAL SHIFT", WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A TRIPLE TRANSFER. ONLY A HALF-DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN.
Discovery of the "Wagshal Shift" was first published in The Philatelic Foundation's Opinions V book in 1988. The sole discovery copy (offered in the following lot) was confirmed by a photograph of one in a pair in the P.F.'s records and another in a pair in Ashbrook's notes. The stamp offered here was discovered by Mr. Wagshal in the "Elite" sale in 1989, and gave confirmation that this is indeed a triple transfer and not just a double transfer. Mr. Wagshal also confirmed that the stamp offered here was originally part of the pair in Ashbrook's notes.
Ex "Elite". Unpriced in Scott Catalogue.
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. F, The "Wagshal Shift" (1-F). Clear double transfer of top frameline, upper part of side frameline, "U" and "Post Office", three large margins, cut in at bottom, cancelled by bold strike of red New York square grid cancel, tiny flaw in margin at top left, although cut in at bottom the essential elements of the triple transfer are intact at top, this is the discovery copy of the Double Transfer Type F, the "Wagshal Shift", only six are known to exist, unpriced in Scott