1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Mint N.H., from the top row of Plate 4, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering clearly showing the complete design at top

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE 4. THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED COPY OF SCOTT 20 FROM PLATE 4 WE HAVE OFFERED. A GREAT RARITY.

When perforations were introduced in 1857, the plates used to print stamps at Toppan, Carpenter & Co. were laid out with narrow spaces between the subjects, because no thought had been given to the concept of perforation holes between the stamps. The imperforate sheets of 1c stamps on hand were printed from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4, and the perforations on those stamps rarely clear the design all around. The example from Plate 4 offered here is not only extremely rare as a Mint Never-Hinged copy, it is also exceptionally well-centered.

Ex Odeneal. With 1990 and 2007 P.F. certificates, the former with selvage at top. Scott Retail as hinged.

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