5c Brown, First Design (57). Original gum described as "redistributed" on accompanying certificate, rich color, detailed impression, small flaws incl. added perf tip at top left and small stains removed

FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT FIRST DESIGN.

Our census of Scott 57, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/57/57.pdf , contains a total of 36 copies of this rarity. Of these, one is in The New York Public Library collection. Of the 35 thought to be available to collectors, two are used, 18 have no gum, seven have part gum and nine have full original gum. None of the nine full-gum copies is completely sound. Four of the part-gum copies are sound. Of the no-gum copies, two are sound; three others may be sound but need to be reexamined as they have not been seen in decades, and thirteen have faults of varying degrees.

Census No. 57-OG-35. Ex Lessin. With 1998 P.F. certificate

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