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. III, Position 99R2 (8). Huge margins to full, bright color, bold strike of New York circular datestamp which leaves the design characteristics -- wide breaks at top and bottom and distinct double transfer at right -- clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION PRODUCED THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III, WITH THE WIDEST BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.
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) has small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2. According to the Neinken book, "The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry, that was short transferred both at top and bottom, over an original entry that had been erased... The reason that 99R2 is the finest example of Type III is because of its very short transfer at top and at bottom, giving us the wide breaks in these lines." (p. 184).
A review using Power Search plus a search of older auction catalogues reveals that this position is extremely difficult to find with four margins and in sound condition.
Ex Floyd. With 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates
