1c Blue, Ty. IV, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (9 var). Position 49L1L, rich color, very lightly cancelled by Chicago circular datestamp, natural inclusion at left, negligible corner margin crease at top right

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE FINER OF THE APPROXIMATELY 19 KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS -- OF THESE ONLY THREE SINGLES AND THE UNIQUE STRIP OF THREE ARE TYPE IV.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). Of these only the unique strip of three and three singles are Type IV.

Ex Lake Shore and Hulme. With 1973 and 2005 P.F. certificates

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