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 — 1861 Issue First Designs and First Colors (Scott 57-61)
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Incredibly deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of "Paid" cancel, beautifully centered with wide balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 10-CENT GREEN FIRST DESIGN IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
The 10c 1861 First Design (or Type I) was printed from Plate 4, which left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B (or 58) are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides. The stamp offered here is the rare exception, and it is even more remarkable as a used copy, free of faults, and with a clearly-struck "Paid" cancel.
With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
