Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 1c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-9)
1c Blue, Ty. Ic (6b). Position 89R4, E Relief, huge and balanced margins all around, deep rich Plate 4 color and proof-like impression which shows every nuance of the design, neat strike of circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ic IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP HAS EVERY QUALITY ONE COULD ASK FOR -- LARGE BALANCED MARGINS, BRIGHT PAPER, RICH COLOR AND A PERFECTLY-STRUCK CANCEL WHICH LEAVES THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS CLEARLY VISIBLE. A TRUE RARITY.
This variety is often confused for Scott 6, Type Ia, which is complete at bottom. However, this sub-type has the ball and plume at lower right slightly less complete. This variety has been widely recognized by experts for decades, but was only added to Scott Catalogue in 1993.
This stamp is far scarcer than its Scott Catalogue value would suggest, especially with four margins in sound condition. Power Search failed to find its equal. In fact, we have offered only seven unduplicated examples since 1997, two of which are on cover and one of which is in a pair with another type. It is likely that the paucity of copies trading hands has resulted in the Scott Catalogue value not being properly updated.
Ex Kharasch and Chapin. Illustrated in Volume I of Ashbrook's 1c book on p. 243. Illustrated in Brookman on p. 118. With 1971 and 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
