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 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-24)
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (21). Deep rich color, choice centering for this unique position with its characteristic wide breaks and double transfer clearly visible at both top and bottom, face-free strike of circular datestamp, small corner crease at top left, small sealed tear at upper left (not noted on accompanying certificate)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE EXTREMELY RARE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III. IT IS ALSO A RARELY ENCOUNTERED POSITION -- OUR CENSUS RECORDS ONLY TWELVE USED SINGLES OFF COVER, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST. ONLY THREE USED SINGLES AND ONE ON COVER ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND.
On Plate 2, 198 of the 200 positions were Type II. Position 100R was Type II in the early stage of the plate, but as wear began to weaken the bottom line it became Type IIIa with a small break at bottom. Positions 89R and 99R on Plate 2 have been the focus of special attention, because of their unusual nature. Ashbrook states: "A study of the double transfers of 89R2 and 99R2 is most interesting, because here in a vertical pair of positions we have two distinct varieties. 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 stamp, 89R2, is a re-entry, but not in the proper sense of this term, because the re-entry on the lower part of this position was an error, as it was not made to correct an existent fault of the original 89R transfer."
Plate 2 stamps were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Beginning in July 1857 stamps from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4 were issued with perforations, and Plates 2 and 4 continued to produce stamps through late 1857. Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form; conversely, Plate 4 stamps are rarer imperforate than in perforated form. Perforated 99R2 stamps are of extreme rarity.
Our census, which incorporates the records of noted student Jerome S. Wagshal, the Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records and our own work, is illustrated on the opposite page and is also available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/21/21.pdf . Only one unused example is known, in a block. Twelve used singles are recorded, as are three on covers and two in strips, for a total of 18 known in any form. Virtually all have faults or are very off-center -- only three off-cover singles and one on cover are confirmed as sound and not all have decent centering. In most examples the characteristics that make this position so special are obscured, because the perforations significantly affect the design at top and bottom. The example offered here, with a light cancel, far better centering than most and clearly showing the type characteristics, is a great rarity.
Ex Chapin. Signed by Ashbrook. With 1995 P.F. certificate.
