1c Blue (63). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 9 block of 12, each stamp dot in "U" variety, deep rich color, well-centered, fresh and intact

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE. ONLY EIGHT FULL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER MULTIPLES ARE RECORDED AND THIS IS LIKELY THE ONLY ONE IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

The Chapin census, updated by Don Evans in his book The United States 1c Franklin, 1861-67, records only eight full plate number and imprint multiples, from Plates 9, 10 and 27. Two are recorded from Plate 9, both as larger multiples than the block of 12 offered here and the hinged block of 12 we have sold twice in recent years (most recently in 2007). This block comes from the ex-Lilly sheet of 98 (which was missing two stamps when we sold the Lilly sheets in Sale 321). It is likely that the other Plate 9 block of 12 was also reduced from one of the Chapin-listed larger multiples. We have handled three other Scott 63 plate blocks in recent years, and all were hinged. The block offered here is most likely the only Mint N.H. plate block of the 1c 1861 Issue in existence.

Ex Lilly. With 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Unlisted in Scott as a Mint N.H. plate block.

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