1c Blue, Ty. III/Ia (21/19). Positions 81/91L4, vertical pair with bottom sheet selvage, unused (no gum), top stamp has clear breaks at both top and bottom, type characteristics of the Type Ia stamp fully visible in selvage, deep rich color, few perf separations expertly reinforced

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED, WITH THE TOP STAMP TYPE III AND THE BOTTOM STAMP TYPE Ia.

Type Ia, imperforate and perforated, only comes from 18 positions in the bottom rows of the right and left panes of Plate 4.

In Neinken's layout of Plate 4 (p. 263), Positions 81-82L are identified as Type IIIa's with Position 82L4 being a "swing position" that became Type III after the plate wore. So-called swing positions began as Type IIIa with the outer line at bottom complete, but as the plate was used, the bottom line wore and a portion disappeared, thus becoming Type III. Therefore, this pair, a late impression including one swing position -- 81L4 -- is correctly identified as a Type III/Ia combination.

With 1977 P.F. certificate signed by Neinken. Scott Retail as pair with gum $65,000.00. Scott Retail as no gum singles does not adequately convey its rarity, especially with the intact bottom selvage.

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