Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1c 1857 Issue (Scott 18-24)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, unusually choice centering, pretty color, neat strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The defining characteristic of Type I is that the entire design is printed, including the scrolls and plumes at bottom. Among the plates used to print imperforate stamps, only one position out of 1,000 can claim that honor (Position 7R1E, Scott No. 5). Type I perforated stamps are only known from certain positions on Plate 12. Due to the narrow spacing between perforations and difficulties of production, this issue is usually found with part of the design cut off by the perforations. The example offered here, with rich color, a clear cancel and with the design characteristics clearly visible, is a true condition rarity.
Ex Kirke. With 1989 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and is shared by only seven others.
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, fresh color nicely complemented by violet grid cancel, better centering than normally encounteredEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE I WITH A VIOLET CANCEL.
This is the first with a violet cancel we have offered since 2001, when we sold a defective on-cover strip of three used from Winchendon Mass. With 2005 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, rich color with intense plate wash, choice centering, neat "PAID" in oval cancel of Boston, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with wonderful visual appeal, with 1987, 1994 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, deep rich color, choice centering, neat strike of blue circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00)
1c Blue, Quasi-Type Ia (18 var). Position 56L12 which shows complete design at bottom and erasures of part of the design at top, also a double transfer, rich color nicely complemented by red New York City carrier datestampVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF POSITION 56L12, WHICH PRODUCED A DESIGN TYPE THAT DEFIES CURRENT SCOTT CLASSIFICATION -- THE BOTTOM IS COMPLETE, BUT THE TOP IS PARTLY ERASED. WE REFER TO THIS AS A QUASI-TYPE Ia, BECAUSE IT COMES CLOSEST TO TYPE Ia FROM THE BOTTOM OF PLATE FOUR.
Position 56L12 was discussed in an article by Jerome S. Wagshal (“The One Cent Stamp of 1851-57: A Reconsideration of Types I Through IIIa”, 1973 Congress Book, pp. 113-115), in which he presented his case for reclassifying some of the 1c 1851-57 types. Regarding Position 56L12, Wagshal opined, “[it] requires separate recognition. Its characteristics are unlike those of any other position on any plate of the One Cent stamp. Judged by the standards which are the basis of the One Cent classification system, 56L12 must be given a separate status as a subtype of Type I.”
Ex Wagshal and Middendorf. With 2011 P.F. certificate as No. 18 var, describing the complete design at bottom and erasures at top
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 95L4, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-struck circular datestamp cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia.
Plate 4's most distinctive feature is that the top row (Positions 1-10L and 1-10R) was entered with the designs complete at top (Type II) and the bottom row (Positions 91-100L and 91-100R) was entered with designs complete or nearly complete at bottom (Types Ia and Ic). Although the plate layout provided sufficient space for perforations, the height of the top-row and bottom-row designs was larger than others in the sheet, which resulted in perforations cutting into either the top or bottom rows, depending on which direction the sheet was fed into the perforator. Type Ia and Ic stamps from the bottom row are almost always cut into at bottom, an unfortunate situation for collectors because the bottom part of the design is what makes Type Ia and Ic stamps desirable. The example offered here is better than most.
With 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. Ic (19b). Position 83L4, E Relief, deep rich color, well-centered, light strike of blue town circular datestamp cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE Ic.
Type Ic is similar to Type Ia, which has the design complete at bottom, but the bottom right plume of Type Ic is incomplete. Two are found on the bottom row of Plate 4, and six or seven positions are from E Relief positions elsewhere on the plate. The full detail of the bottom plumes was slightly erased either by plate burnishing prior to printing or plate wear during printing.
This stamp is far scarcer than its catalogue value would suggest, especially with four margins in sound condition.
With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 4R1L, the only position on Plate 1 Late which was not recut, rich color on bright paper, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II, FROM THE ONLY POSITION ON PLATE ONE LATE THAT WAS NOT RECUT.
The entire Plate 1 Late was, with the exception of Position 4R1L, recut and transformed into Type IV stamps (Scott 9 as imperforate, Scott 23 as perforated). This position is extremely difficult to obtain, especially as a perforated stamp. This is the first we have offered since 2011.
With 1997 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (20 var). Position 2L2, rich color which clearly shows the lightening bolt “Big Crack”, Boston circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PLATE 2 MAJOR CRACK FROM THE TOP ROW.
The fracture on Plate 2 began above Position 2 on the left pane and continued downward in a “lightning bolt” jagged line across Positions 12-13L, 23L and at a later stage just into 33L. It was probably caused by an inherent flaw created during the manufacture of the steel plate.
With 2011 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (20 var). Position 12L2, showing major plate crack at upper right, deep rich color, light strike of town cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this scarce variety, with 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (20 var). Position 13L2, clearly showing the crack at lower left, rich color, circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this scarce and unusual variety, with 2011 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Plate Crack (20 var). Position 23L2, deep rich color with a clearly defined vertical crack at left, partial circular datestamp cancel, Fine example of this scarce distinctive variety, with 2009 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 28L2, pretty shade, wide margins, red New York City carrier datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 and 2005 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 9L4 from the top row of Plate 4, intense shade on bright paper, perfs essentially clear of complete design at top (the important characteristic of top row stamps from Plate 4), face-free circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, ex Myerson, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (21). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, Boston circular datestamp cancel, completely sound, top and bottom perfs well clear of the significant portions of the design, extra wide right margin shows the characteristic double transfer, single nibbed perf at bottom left corner (not mentioned on accompanying certificates)VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION FURNISHED THE BEST EXAMPLES OF TYPE III.
Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2).
Guide dots were used to accurately lay out the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).
Plate 2 stamps were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Beginning in July 1857 stamps from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4 were issued with perforations, and Plates 2 and 4 continued to produce stamps through late 1857. Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form; conversely, Plate 4 stamps are rarer imperforate than in perforated form. Perforated 99R2 stamps are of extreme rarity.
Our census, which incorporates the records of noted student Jerome S. Wagshal, The Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records and our own work, is available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/21-99R2 . Only two unused examples are known--the better known is in a block of nine in our 2019 William H. Gross Multiples sale. Thirteen used singles are recorded, as are three on covers and two in strips, for a total of 20 known in any form. Virtually all have faults or are very off-center -- only three off-cover singles and one on cover are confirmed as sound and not all have decent centering.
Census no. 21(99R2)-CAN-05. Ex Sheriff and Wagshal. With 1986 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice centering showing clear breaks in outer lines at top and bottom (the defining characteristic of the type), rich color, neat strike of green circular datestamp, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE III WITH A GREEN TOWN CANCEL.
As an indication of the rarity of Scott 21 with a green cancel, this is the only example we have offered in any prior Rarities sale or in any sale since keeping computerized records nearly 30 years ago. The closest we have come is a pair of Scott 22, which we sold in Sale 818 (lot 421) for $14,000 hammer. The Scott Catalogue assigns a paltry $750.00 premium for the cancel.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice centering, deep rich color and detailed impression, showing clear breaks at both top and bottom (the defining characteristic of the type), red New York City carrier datestamp with integral 1c rateEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WITH GORGEOUS CENTERING, COLOR AND A RED CARRIER CANCEL.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on Plate 4, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on a portion of the design. The example offered here, centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible and with a red carrier cancel, is truly remarkable.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 48L4, wide breaks at top and bottom, pretty shade, circular datestamp cancel.EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WITH WIDE BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on Plate 4, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on a portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.
With 1999 A.P.S. and 2003 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa-III (22-21). Positions 63-64L4, horizontal pair, left stamp Type IIIa with wide break in outer line at top, right stamp Type III showing breaks at both top and bottom, attractive centering, deep rich color, detailed impression, full clear strike of red "U.S. Mail/City Delivery/1/Oct. 30" New York City carrier datestamp, few perf separationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION PAIR OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III AND IIIa WITH A CENTRAL STRIKE OF THE RED NEW YORK CARRIER CANCEL.
Ex Emerson, Zoellner and Hoffner. With 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Position 41L4 with “(Carp)enter, Casilear & Co. BANK NOTE” part imprint and “N” of plate number in left selvage, crisp impression, neat manuscript “X” cancelVERY FINE. THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT STAMP SHOWING PART OF THE PLATE 4 NUMBER AT LEFT. A GREAT RARITY.
The Neinken book (p. 277) states that “No stamp, imperforate or perforated, showing the imprint and the plate number 4 from the left pane has ever been recorded.” He also notes that apart from this stamp there are only two other perforated examples known from this same position, but that both show only a small part of the imprint. This is, therefore, the only perforated example which shows any part of the left plate number.
Illustrated in Neinken book (p. 278). Ex Neinken, Wagshal and Middendorf. With 2011 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 4, rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, neat strike of "PAID" handstamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,825.00)
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Position 35R4, showing clear break in outer line at top, remarkably well-centered, fresh color, neatly cancelled by blue grid, Extremely Fine, plated and signed by Ashbrook, with 2005 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, A Relief, wide relief break at top, superb centering, bright color, bold strike of red New York City carrier datestamp with integral 1c rate, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Plate 1L, recut once at top and bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering, New York "U.S. Mail 1" carrier datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IV WITH A RED CARRIER CANCEL.
The 1c perforated stamps from Plate 1 Late were poorly perforated. Centered examples -- particularly with colored cancellations -- are rare.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Position 98R1L, recut once at top and bottom, with double transfer, rich color and detailed impression, light strike of blue circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Position 50R9 with "ENGRAVERS, Phila. New York. Bosto(n)" portion of imprint captured at right, deep rich color, octagonal Philadelphia datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90), captured imprints rarely receive high grades, even stamps with as choice centering as the example offered here
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Extra wide margins at sides, nicely complemented by bold green grid cancel, Extremely Fine, rare with a green cancel, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 2006 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Gorgeous centering, intense shade and impression, red New York City carrier datestamp with integral 1c rate, Extremely Fine
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Rich color, bold strike of "PAID ONE CENT/MASPETH N.Y." two-line handstamp, Very Fine, a very unusual cancel, with 2017 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Positions 73-74L9, horizontal pair, crisp impression and choice centering, well-struck "STEAM/SHIP" two-line handstamp struck twice, Extremely Fine pair