1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (8). Unused (no gum), clear stitch watermark at top, large margins to just in, rich color on bright paper, thin spot at center

FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN IN UNUSED CONDITION.

Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2).

Guide dots were used to accurately lay out the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).

A Power Search review demonstrates how rare this is in unused condition. Only four singles are known in sound original-gum condition, and we have offered only seven unused singles (with and without gum) since keeping computerized records.

With 1997 P.F. certificate

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