1c Blue, Ty. Va (24 var). Position 5R5 with double transfer at top, remarkably choice centering with wide and even margins, pretty shade, neat face-free strike of town circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE VA, WHICH COMES FROM 133 OF THE 200 POSITIONS ON PLATE 5. THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE, BY VIRTUE OF THE MARGINS, OVERALL CENTERING, FACE-FREE CANCEL AND GENERAL APPEARANCE.

According to the Neinken book (pp. 309-310), the experience gained in perforating sheets from the original imperforate plates showed that additional horizontal and vertical spacing was needed to accommodate perforations. Increasing the size of the plate was not an option, so it was decided to trim down all four sides of the design to make room for perforations. A second transfer roll was made and used for part of Plate 5. Apparently this roll was replaced by a second transfer roll during the transfer process. This new transfer roll was used for part of Plate 5 and also for subsequent plates thru Plate 10. The first transfer roll, used for part of Plate 5, produced the Type Va sub-type.

On most Type V stamps there are very noticeable scratch marks in the margins at the right, which were present on the transfer roll. However, the first transfer roll had the design more complete at sides and did not have the scratches at sides. Only 133 of the 200 positions on Plate 5 are Type Va designs. Brookman notes that "While I can give no estimate of the number of stamps printed from this plate I believe it was not many because of the scarcity of Type Va stamps."

With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90). The SMQ Population Report does not give population figures for this major variety.

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