Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-24)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, perfect centering which clearly shows the characteristics of the type, deep rich color, razor-sharp impression on pristine paper, pretty strike of red "New York Paid City Delivery" carrier circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I. THE RED NEW YORK CITY CARRIER DATESTAMP ADDS EXTRA EYE APPEAL.
The defining characteristic of Type I is that the entire design is printed, including the scrolls and plumes at bottom. 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 type is usually found with part of the design cut off by the perforations. The example offered here, with bright color, a vivid red carrier cancel and with the design characteristics clearly visible, is a true condition rarity.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs and featured on the front cover of our Sale 1166. With 1999 and 2017 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of large Boston "Paid" grid leaves the type's defining characteristics clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE Ia. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST DESIRABLE TYPES OF THE ISSUE.
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.
Ashbrook states: "I consider perforated Type Ia stamps that are not touched by perforations as the rarest stamps in the 1857 perforated issue." (Neinken book, p. 279). The Scott Catalogue contains a footnote: "Copies of this stamp exist with perforations not touching the design at any point. Such copies command very high prices."
Ex "Natalee Grace" and Curtis. With 1998 and 2014 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $32,000.00). Only three grade higher, including the famous Zoellner-Hinrichs copy with wide-spaced perforations (graded 98J).
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, deep rich color, well-centered, light strike of red New York City carrier datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 1993, 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85), with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00 for normal cancel)
1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, with interpane margin and centerline at right, pretty shade, neatly struck green grid cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, this is the only example of Scott No. 20 we have offered with a green cancel since keeping computerized records, with 1992 and 2017 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 65R4, huge break in bottom curved line and a full 2.5 mm break in top line, perfectly centered with entire design framed by white paper, deep rich color beautifully complemented by red New York circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE III IN EXISTENCE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A GORGEOUS STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- CENTERING, COLOR, IMPRESSION, PERFORATIONS AND CANCELLATION.
Ex Knapp (acquired by a previous owner in that long-ago sale and kept in the dark for a half-century, thus the incredibly rich color and freshness). With ungraded 2011 P.S.E. certificate. With 2007 and 2011 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is a 95, and it is unpriced above that grade in SMQ
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, B Relief from the bottom row with intact bottom selvage, beautifully centered with margins clear of design on all sides, dark color on brilliant white paper, well-struck blue Batavia N.Y. circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa PERFORATED ISSUE CANCELLED IN BLUE. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Plates 11 and 12 were probably made in June 1860, with less than six months left in Toppan Carpenter's contract. The earliest known use from either plate is January 1861, a relatively short time before the stamps were demonetized. As illustrations of stamps from Plates 11 and 12 in the Neinken book show, the centering and impressions of stamps from these plates were rather poor ("Poor perforating was the rule rather than the exception" -- Neinken book, p. 473). The stamp offered here, with bright color, balanced margins and a clear blue cancel, is truly remarkable.
Ex Dr. Hinrichs. With 1994, 2003 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,550.00). Only two examples grade higher (at 95J, ex "Natalee Grace" and ex Kirke -- both have black cancels)
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Rich color and paper, outstanding centering with balanced margins, light wide-spaced grid cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,550.00). Only two grade higher (both 95J).
1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Recut once at at top and bottom, choice centering for this difficult issue, brilliant color nicely complemented by red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IV PERFORATED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A RED CANCEL.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Wide and perfectly balanced margins, pretty shade nicely complemented by bold red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE V. DESPITE THIS STAMP'S READY AVAILABILITY, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Despite the abundant supply of Type V stamps, they are extremely difficult to obtain in the higher grades -- especially with a colored cancel. The stamp offered here has phenomenal visual appeal -- bright color, a beautiful clear red grid cancel, wide and balanced margins and wonderful overall freshness.
Ex Dr. Morris, Dr. Puliafito and "Natalee Grace". With 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00). Only two grade higher (at 98 and 98J) and only two others shares this desirable grade. Of the four equal or higher grades, we have offered three of them (one 95J, the 98 and the 98J) and all have black cancels.