1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 92L4, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, clearly showing the type characteristics, neat strike of circular datestamp at right

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IA PERFORATED. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- APART FROM THE FAMOUS WIDE-SPACED EXAMPLE, THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Type Ia stamps were produced from 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. After perforations were introduced in mid-1857, sheets on hand printed from Plates 1 Late and 2 were fed through the new perforating machine, but the narrow spaces between stamps made perforating difficult to accomplish without cutting into the designs. Plate 4 was produced in early 1857 when the introduction of perforations was anticipated; thus, it was entered from a new six-relief transfer roll, and the spaces between stamps were enlarged to allow for perforations. Some Plate 4 sheets were issued in imperforate form (April to June 1857), while the greater portion was issued perforated beginning in July 1857, along with perforated sheets from Plates 1L and 2.

Plate 4's most distinctive feature is that the top row (Positions 1-10L and 1-10R) was entered with the designs complete at top (Type II) and the bottom row (Positions 91-100L and 91-100R) was entered with designs complete or nearly complete at bottom (Types Ia and Ic). Although the plate layout provided sufficient space for perforations, the height of the top-row and bottom-row designs was larger than others in the sheet, which resulted in perforations cutting into either the top or bottom rows, depending on which direction the sheet was fed into the perforator. Type Ia and Ic stamps from the bottom row are almost always cut into at bottom, an unfortunate situation for collectors because the bottom part of the design is what makes Type Ia and Ic stamps desirable.

The example offered here, with perforations completely clear of the design and showing the full type characteristics at bottom, is a true condition rarity.

With 1990 and 1999 P.F. certificates, the former as on cover with two Scott 24 (cover with other stamps accompanies). With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $92,000.00). Only one has graded higher (the wide-setting copy, ex Eno, Zoellner, Hinrichs and Tahoe, graded 98J) and one other shares this desirable grade.

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