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 — 5c 1856 Issue, 10c 1855 Issue (Scott 12-16)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Position 51L1 with 26mm left sheet margin with "ENGRAVERS, Phila. New York, Bo" portion of imprint and "No. 1" plate number, mostly large margins on other sides, beautiful deep rich color and fine early impression, neat strike of town circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST KNOWN 10-CENT 1855 PLATE NUMBER SINGLE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OFF-COVER 1851-56 ISSUE ITEMS IN EXISTENCE.
Plate 1 was the only plate used for imperforate 10c stamps issued in 1855 and 1856. It was also used for all 1857 perforated stamps until Plate 2 was created, which produced Type V perforated stamps exclusively (Scott 35).
Examples of classic imperforate stamps with intact sheet margins are rare, since the excess margin was normally trimmed off during distribution and use. Stamps showing any part of the imprint are much rarer, and those with the plate number intact are exponentially rarer.
Ex Emerson, Newbury, Neinken, Wall, Mason, Koppersmith, Sevenoaks and Hinrichs. With 1971 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
