1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Positions 52-53/62-63L1L, block of four, top left stamp recut twice at top and twice at bottom, top right stamp recut once at top and twice at bottom, bottom stamps both recut once at top and bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, each stamp cancelled by neat ms. "X", right stamps repaired

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF THE PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IV. ONLY THREE OR FOUR USED BLOCKS ARE KNOWN.

An article by Mortimer L. Neinken in the Collectors Club Philatelist (Vol. 49, No. 4, p. 210) states: "Unused blocks of the perforated Type IV are unknown... Extensive investigation has revealed the existence of only two used blocks (one ex Chase)." The Neinken book (pp. 135-136) repeats much of this information and describes a third block, on cover, that was reported at publication time. This may be the ex-Chase/Emerson block noted in the Neinken book on page 135. These three used blocks are all that we record.

The rarity of Type IV perforated stamps is explained by the fact that Plate 1 Late (containing the 199 recut positions) was not used to print stamps in mid-1857 when perforations were introduced. Some left-over imperforate Plate 1L sheets were fed through the perforator, as were sheets from Plates 2 and 4, and these stamps were issued beginning in July 1857. The latter two plates remained in production, but Plate 1L produced no additional stamps. Thus, only a small number of Type IV stamps were ever issued with perforations.

Ex Twigg-Smith. Scott Retail $25,000.00

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables