1c Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, block of four with top imprint selvage, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, choice centering throughout

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED IMPRINT BLOCK OF THE 1879 ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER. A BLOCK OF FOUR IS ALSO THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.

In an effort by the Grant administration to stem the tide of postal abuse, stamps were issued in 1873 for the nine departments of the Executive branch. Stamps were issued to the various departments by the Post Office as needed, and an accounting was kept for budgeting purposes and for reimbursement of the Post Office Department.

The Agriculture Officials were printed from sheets of 100 consisting of one pane. In December 1878 Continental merged with American Bank Note Company, which assumed production for United States stamps early in 1879, including the Officials. As with the regular Bank Note issues, the Officials printed by American can be distinguished by the use of soft, porous paper. Philip Ward recorded only four blocks of four. This is the only one with selvage we were able to locate. A pair with plate number is also known.

Ex Weill and illustrated on the front cover of the December 14, 1989 Christie's catalogue. Offered to the market for the first time since that 1989 sale. With 1989 P.F. certificate. This is the first multiple we have offered since 1990.

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