12c Black, Printed on Both Sides (17c). Printed in the same orientation as design on the front, back of stamp shows clear impression of two stamps at top and a fainter impression of two additional stamps at bottom, front of stamp with large margins to in and black grid cancel, back of stamp also shows slight offset, tiny corner crease at bottom right

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE 1851 ISSUE. ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED.

Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate.

Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. The variety is known on the three denominations issued in 1851 -- 1c, 3c and 12c -- but not on the imperforate stamps issued in 1855 (10c) and 1856 (5c).

Reports have varied as to how many copies of the 12c 1851 printed on both sides are known. Brookman reported that he knew of four. However, we have only been able to locate two complete stamps, and this is the number widely used by students today. None is known unused. The other copy, ex Ishikawa, is shown below.

Offered in our 1967 and 1991 Rarities sales. Ex "J & J" Collection.

For our online census of Scott 17c: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/17c/17c.pdf

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