4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. block of six from the top right corner of the sheet with natural straight edge at top and full selvage at right, deep rich color, proof-like impression, couple tiny natural inclusions, small tear at top of straight-edge stamp at top right

FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. ONE OF THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLES OF THIS DISTINCTIVE COLOR ERROR, AND EVEN MORE DESIRABLE IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.

Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.

With 2014 P.F. certificate as a block of nine (three stamps removed)

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