Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Ungrilled (Scott 145-155)
3c Green, Printed on Both Sides (147a). Back of stamp printed inverted in relation to the front and with strong impression showing part of four stamps, front of stamp slightly dry print and with light strike of cork cancel, single pulled perf at rightVERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 1870 3-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE BANK NOTE ISSUES.
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. The lower impressions on the back of this stamp are dry prints. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other.
Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. The 3c Grilled Bank Note issue (Scott 136) is listed in Scott Catalogue as printed on both sides, but none has ever been seen, the Scott Catalogue editors do not have information on the 136b in their reference files, so it should probably be delisted. Our records contain only three examples of the ungrilled rarity, illustrated below at available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/147a/147a.pdf . The quality of the impression on back is superior on the example offered here.
Ex Braus. With 1983 and 2004 P.F. certificates. This is undercatalogued in relation to most other printed on both sides varieties with similar populations.
