1c Indigo, First Design (55). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and intense impression as is typical for this First Design rarity, short perf and tiny thin spot at top

VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 24 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.

Our census of Scott 55, available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/55/55.pdf , contains a total of 25 examples of this stamp. Of these, one is in The New York Public Library collection. Of the 24 available to collectors, nine have no gum, thirteen have gum and two are used. Approximately half are defective to some extent. A footnote in Scott Catalogue states that this stamp "is valued with perfs cutting slightly into the design at top."

Census No. 55-UNC-21. Ex. Dr. Claiborne Johnson, Jr. With 1992 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as original gum

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