Sale 1017 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 13-15 December, 2011
Category — 10c 1847 Issue (Scott 2)
10c Black (2). Original gum, lightly hinged at top, huge to large margins, detailed impression clearly showing every detail of the engraving, fresh deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN COMPLETELY SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FOUR LARGE MARGINS. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY AND A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.
The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law's effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.
With 2011 P.F. certificate. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; unpriced in SMQ above an 85, SMQ $70,000.00 as 85). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achive this grade.
10c Black (2). Large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at top, bright shade, crisp impression, light strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine
10c Black (2). Position 49R1, large margins to full, intense shade and impression, neat strike of blue "Paid" oval handstamp of Philadelphia, Very Fine and choice
10c Black (2). Position 45L1, huge margins to full at top, crisp shade and detailed impression, cancelled by two clear strikes of red "X" Roman numeral rate handstamp, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with tremendous visual appeal
10c Black (2). Full even margins all around, red grid cancel, corner nick and crease top right which are both miniscule, otherwise Very Fine
10c Black (2). Large to full margins, detailed impression, neat strike of black circular datestamp, tiny thin in top left corner and tear at upper left, Very Fine appearance, scarce cancelled solely by a black circular datestamp, ex Wagshal, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
10c Black, Double Transfer Ty. B (2-B). Position 31R1, double transfer in "Post Office", "U.S." and top right frameline, large margins to full including left interpane margin, strong impression allowing the doubling to be seen without the aid of magnification, light strike of red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 1847 PLATE VARIETY IN CHOICE CONDITION.
Little is known about this double transfer, which is most noticeable in the "POST OFFICE" label at top.
Ex Moody. With 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Black, Double Transfer Ty. B (2-B). Position 31R1, double transfer in "Post Office", "U.S." and top right frameline, ample margins, intense shade and impression, unobtrusive strike of red grid cancel, tiny tear in margin top, Very Fine appearance, little is known about this double transfer, which is most noticeable in the "POST OFFICE" label at top, ex Wagshal
10c Black, Double Transfer Ty. C (2-C). Position 2R1, large to huge margins all around including part of top sheet margin, detailed impression, clear strike of red New York square grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE C.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
10c Black, "Harelip" Variety (2 var). Position 57L1, huge margins to full at top, strong impression clearly shows the line of the "harelip" variety, unobtrusive red grid cancelVERY FINE. A SCARCE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE DISTINCTIVE "HARELIP" PLATE FLAW.
Philip Wall records only 23 off-cover examples of this position. With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates