12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Bottom left diagonal half, tied by well-struck blue "SONORA, CALIFORNIA, DEC. 29, 1851" two-line datestamp on blue folded letter to Surry Me., manuscript "Paid" partly under stamp, light horizontal file fold well below the bisect

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED BISECTED USE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM CALIFORNIA, AND ONE OF ONLY FIVE LEGITIMATELY USED BISECTS FROM SONORA. A PHENOMENAL EXHIBITION ITEM, OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE OUR 1978 AUCTION OF THE J. DAVID BAKER COLLECTION.

The 12c stamp was bisected to pay the 6c transcontinental rate, effective July 1, 1851, due to a shortage of 3c and 1c stamps. The next earliest use from Sonora is Jan. 7, 1852. Seven bisects are known used from Sonora, and it is believed only five were recognized as valid for postage.

Illustrated in Baker's U.S. Classics on p. 200. Illustrated in Letters of Gold on p. 110. Ex Caspary and J. David Baker.

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