1c Indigo, First Design (55). Original gum, deep rich color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, small closed tear at bottom left

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 ISSUE ONE-CENT FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 24 ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS, AND APPROXIMATELY HALF HAVE ORIGINAL GUM.

Our census of Scott 55, available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/55/55.pdf , contains a total of 25 examples of this stamp. Of these, one is in The New York Public Library collection. Of the 24 available to collectors, nine have no gum, thirteen have gum and two are cancelled. Approximately half are defective to some degree. The example offered here, with original gum and a barely noticeable tiny imperfection, is one of the most attractive and desirable examples extant.

Census No. 55-OG-07. Ex McNall. With 1958 and 2004 P.F. certificates. This is the first with original gum we have offered since the 2009 Whitman sale. A footnote in Scott Catalogue states that this stamp "is valued with perfs cutting slightly into the design at top."

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables