Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 5c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 27-39)
10c Green, Ty. I (31). Brilliant color and crisp impression on fresh paper, neat strike of blue circular datestamp, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT PERFORATED TYPE I HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the top or bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as soundness are taken into consideration.
With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded, and only four others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2008. In our opinion, this 10c Plate 1 stamp has margins wide enough to qualify for the Jumbo appellation.
