Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E in vertical pair with Ty. IIIA (8A), Position 17R1E, used with three 3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A) which are artfully arranged at each corner and used with an additional 1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A), Position 3R1E, affixed to top flap and cancelled by pen, Position 7R1E just touched at bottom left and clear on other sides, tied by neat strikes of "Deep River Ct. Feb. 12" circular datestamp on large bronze on blue ribbon and floral Valentine cover to Miss Eunice M. Chittenden in Westbrook Conn., original embossed Valentine enclosure with multicolored floral arrangement and small envelope at center with label seal reading "A letter softens the pain of absence", inside is a small card reading "Like a well arranged Bouquet, Where the fairest flowers combine, Odours rich and colours gay, Is my own sweet Valentine", 1c Type I has a small repair at bottom left corner, which is really just a touched up scuff spot, No. 5A with nick and tear at right, No. 8A with scrape and corner crease at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS MARVELOUS COVER IS THE UNIQUE USE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE I ON A VALENTINE. ONE OF THE GREATEST POSTAL HISTORY RARITIES OF THE 1851 ISSUE AND A SPECTACULAR CLASSIC AMERICAN COVER.
The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal contains at least 98 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.
Illustrated and described in an article in Chronicle 164 (November 1994). Ex Dr. Hubert C. Skinner (he acquired it from the Weill Brothers). With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as on cover with no premium for the Valentine
