5c Red Orange (1c). Radiant color in a true Red Orange shade (for many years referred to as Orange by such philatelic luminaries as Carroll Chase and Stanley Ashbrook), with a fine characteristic late impression, large margins all around, tied by a light strike of a red square grid, matching “New-York May 6” circular datestamp on blue 1851 folded cover to New Haven Conn.

EXTREMELY FINE IN EVERY RESPECT. THE RED ORANGE IS THE RAREST OF ALL 5-CENT 1847 SHADES AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND ON COVER. IN FACT, OF THE 14,817 ENTRIES IN THE CENSUS OF 1847 COVERS DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED BY MARK SCHEUER FOR THE U.S. CLASSICS SOCIETY, ONLY SIX ARE RECORDED FRANKED WITH A 5-CENT STAMP IN THE RED ORANGE SHADE. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THIS COVER IS THE FINEST OF THE SIX. A HIGHLY IMPORTANT 1847 COVER IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION.

According to a series of articles by the late Calvet M. Hahn in the Collector's Club Philatelist, the Red Orange shade was printed some time during the fourth and last printing, which took place in December 1850. Research by Wade Saadi indicates the Red Orange shade was produced exclusively during the last printing, stamps from which were part of the Fifth Delivery (December 7, 1850).

Ex Chase, Emerson and Hart. With 1955, 2001 and 2011 P.F. certificates (the 1955 certificate referring to the color as “Orange”, while the 2001 and 2011 describe the color as “Red Orange”, the contemporary description now used by Scott). Also described and signed on the reverse by Stanley B. Ashbrook as “the rare Orange”.

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