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 — 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott 112-122)
3c Ultramarine, Printed on Both Sides (114e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, parts of two stamps printed at bottom, s.e. at right, cork cancel, small corner crease at top rightFINE APPEARANCE. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ARE KNOWN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES AND THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
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. 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. Only one other example of this variety is known, and the impression on back is considerably weaker than the one on the stamp offered here. It is illustrated below.
Illustrated in Jonathan Rose's 1869 book where described as the only example known. With 2009 P.F. certificate.
