1c Blue, Ty. IIIa-IIIa/III-IIIa (22-22/21-22). Positions 73-74/83-84R4, block of four comprising three Type IIIa and one Type III (at bottom left), original gum, lightly hinged, a few minor perf separations, slight trace of gum toning, faint horizontal crease along top edge of top stamps, these trivial imperfections are barely noticeable and not noted on certificate

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLE AND EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED ISSUE FROM PLATE FOUR, COMBINING TYPES III AND IIIa.

This block was printed from Plate 4, which originally produced imperforate stamps and was used only briefly after the introduction of perforations in 1857 before being discontinued. Original-gum examples of stamps from Plate 4 are extremely scarce.

This was part of the vertical block of six in the Grunin and Klein collections. After the 1988 Klein sale it was divided into this block and two singles (Positions 63R, offered in lot 46 of this sale, and 64R).

Ex Grunin and Klein. With 1991 P.F. certificate as sound. The Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue lists combination blocks from Plate 4, but does not value them. The Type III-IIIa combination pair and Type IIIa pair have a combined value of $27,750.00

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