Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 6R1E, large margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamp at right, brilliant color on crisp paper, bold strike of square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 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 burnished away. 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 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $35,700.00). For Positions 6R1E and 8R1E (the better positions, which catalogue more than 50% higher than other positions in both Scott and SMQ), none has graded higher. This is the highest grade awarded to this position.
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 6R1E, huge margins to just in at lower left, including sheet margin at top, beautiful Plate 1 Early color, bold strike of blue Cincinnati O. circular datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE TWO MOST DISTINCT TYPE IB POSITIONS FROM PLATE ONE EARLY, SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP AND NEARLY COMPLETE DESIGN AT BOTTOM.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early 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 burnished away. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, particularly in the left plume, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.
All Type Ib stamps are very scarce, and the two best examples (6R and 8R) are rare. These top-row positions usually have an ample top margin, but frequently the margins are close or cutting into the bottom. A Type Ib with large margins all around is a great rarity. With its wide bottom margin and sound condition, this is an unusually choice Type Ib.
With 1999 and 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $14,500.00 for 80, $22,500.00 for 85).
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Full margins all around showing complete design at bottom, deep Plate 4 color on fresh paper, neat, face-free blue town cancel, diagonal crease at bottom right and light stain at top rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IA.
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 2008 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II/IIIa/IIIa, Plate 4 (7/8A/8A). Positions 7/17/27L4, vertical strip of three with Type II at top and two Type IIIa stamps below, disturbed brownish original gum, sheet margin at top, generously cut from sheet at left showing substantial portions of adjoining positions, large to huge at right for the top pair, clear to ever so slightly in on bottom stamp, few remnants on back incl. small part of another 1c Blue stamp, few faults incl. couple light creases and small thin spot, slight soiling at bottom of bottom stampVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND IMPORTANT MULTIPLE FOR THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE SPECIALIST.
The top stamp in this strip is the rare Type II from Plate 4, showing complete ornaments at top. This is the only plate where this occurs and is essentially the equivalent of the extremely rare Type Ia from the bottom row of Plate 4. This piece was found by us in an old-time collection and this offering is probably the first time it has made an appearance on the auction block.
Scott Retail as Ty. II Plate 4 top-row single and Plate 4 Ty. IIIa vertical pair. The Ty. II/IIIa combination pair is listed but unpriced
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 1E, enormous margins all around incl. significant portion of four adjoining stamps, radiant color nicely complemented by blue circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING STAMP, WITH MASSIVE MARGINS ON ALL SIDES, BRILLIANT COLOR AND A BLUE CANCEL, HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,450.00 as 98). This is the highest grade possible and the only example to achieve this grade. Only one has been graded 100, which is an excellent indication of how rare it is to find this imperforate issue in such perfect condition.
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Pos. 72L2, huge Jumbo margins showing parts of adjoining stamps top and bottom and traces at sides, magnificent intense color with light unobtrusive circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT BLUE FROM PLATE TWO.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,450.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). According to the P.S.E. Population Report there have been 172 No. 7's submitted for grading, and this is one of only six to have achieved this impressive grade with only two higher
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Vertical pair, huge margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps at right and bottom, neat strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins all around, deep rich Plate 4 color and proof-like impression with unusually wide breaks in top and bottom outer linesEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE III EXTANT. THE BREAKS IN OUTER LINES AT TOP AND BOTTOM -- THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF TYPE III -- ARE ESPECIALLY WIDE IN THIS STAMP.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, a majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) have small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2, which has the widest breaks of any Type III position, due to the short transfer during plate entry.
The stamp offered here should be considered significant for several reasons. The breaks at top and bottom are so wide that it actually approaches those of Position 99R2. The large margins at top and bottom also allow for easy identification of the type. All factors considered -- design, impression, margins and gum -- this stamp is easily one of the finest original-gum examples of the imperforate Type III.
A review of past auction catalogues demonstrates how rare this stamp is in original-gum condition. None were offered in the Newbury, Zoellner, Golin, Weisman, Lyons or Floyd collections. Caspary had an unused 99R2 in a strip of three, and the Ishikawa collection contained the famous block of nine with one Type III stamp (Position 99R2). Examples offered in other important collections, such as Scarsdale, Whitman and Drucker, did not achieve the quality or desirability of the example offered here.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $70,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Position 50R4 with very wide break in line at top, unused (no gum), huge margins all around with part of imprint at right, deep rich color and spectacular proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE IIIa IMPERFORATE 1-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH IMPRINT.
The Neinken book states "Stamps from Plate 4 showing part of the imprint are very rare. Ashbrook states that he has never seen an imperforate vertical pair with the imprint..." (p. 277). There are probably fewer than six unused Type IIIa stamps that show any part of the imprint.
With 1988 and 1994 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail with no premium for the imprint
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Mint N.H., huge margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps at top, left and bottom, brilliant color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 3-CENT TYPE II, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ as Mint N.H., SMQ $2,750.00 as hinged). Only one has graded higher to date and this is the only example to achieve this grade.
5c Red Brown (12). Enormous margins all around incl. trace of guide line at right, bright shade, face-free strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,100.00 as 98)
10c Black, Ty. I, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (13TC1). On 62 x 77mm card with full die sinkage, showing layout lines from the dieVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF FOR THE 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE.
The 10c trial color proofs are only known in Black. Ex Finkelburg
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Unused (no gum), large and even margins all around which clearly show the entire design, bright color, two small thin spots at top leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I. A STAMP OF GREAT VISUAL APPEAL.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Large to huge margins incl. significant sheet margin at bottom and also part of adjoining stamp at top, bright color, neat strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I. SCARCE WITH THE SHEET MARGIN.
Although the 10c Type I positions come from the bottom of the sheet, for some reason most have had the sheet margin trimmed away.
With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,400.00 as 95, $7,100.00 as 98). Only three have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, enormous margins all around, which frame the design like a small die proof, deep rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1855 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT CLASSIC STAMP IN ALL RESPECTS -- FRESHNESS OF GUM, SIZE OF MARGINS, COLOR, IMPRESSION AND OVERALL APPEAL.
The prepaid transcontinental rate was raised from 6c to 10c in April 1855, which prompted the Post Office Department to add a 10c value to the current series. Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Company produced one plate of 200 subjects for the imperforate issue, which was also used when perforations were introduced in 1857. Although the subjects were spaced further apart than they had been on the 1c, 3c and 12c plates, there were still variations in the designs. Four design types are recorded for the first plate (Plate 1): Type I with the full bottom shell (from the bottom row only); Type II with the top part of the design nearly complete; Type III with the design at top incomplete; and Type IV with recut lines at top and/or bottom.
Although the wider spacing on the 10c plate provided more room for separation, this stamp has remarkably huge margins all around, each of which goes well beyond the mid-point between stamps.
Ex "Connoisseur", Dr. Morris and Scarsdale. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $31,500.00). Only one has graded higher to date and this is the only example to achieve this grade.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins to full, deep rich color, two small stain marks on back only (not mentioned on accompanying certificate)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE II.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III-IV-III (15-16-15). Positions 85-87L1, horizontal strip of three, enormous margins to full incl. significant portion of the adjoining stamps (almost appears to be a block of six), rich color, neat strike of "New Orleans La. Mar. 6" circular datestamp, light corner crease at bottom left on one of the less expensive Type III stampsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MULTIPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE CONTAINING TYPES III AND IV.
The portion of the stamp at top center (Position 76L1) also shows a recut line at the bottom and is Type IV.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as combination pair and single with no premium for what are almost three additional stamps.
10c Green, Ty. IV-III (16-15). Positions 86-87L1, horizontal pair, left stamp recut at top, huge margins to large, pretty pastel shade, light strike of Wilmington Del. circular datestamp, tiny scissors-cut in top right margin of No. 15 well away from stampEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE PAIR CONTAINING THE SCARCE TYPE IV RECUT.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1989 and 2009 P.F. certificates
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 65L1, recut at top, large balanced margins and deep rich color, neat partial San Francisco circular datestamp which leaves the recut unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,050.00)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, large even margins all around, radiant color nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp, tiny natural inclusionEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV WITH A BLUE TOWN CANCEL.
Ex Angel. With 1983 P.F. certificate