Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 5c-12c 1851-56 Issue (Scott 12-17)
12c Black (17). Jumbo margins all around including interpane margin with centerline at right and parts of all five adjoining stamps other sides, deep shade, crisp impression on bright white paper, light town cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED SINGLES OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE EXTANT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
Many collectors have a tendency to discount how difficult it is to find imperforate classics in such superb condition. The assumption is that there are multiples which can be split to "make" perfect singles. However, one would need a lightly-cancelled block of nine or sheet margin block of six, with no wrinkles or other minor defects, to produce a single such as the one offered here. This is the third example of Scott No. 17 graded Gem 100 Jumbo we have offered. We feel that this example slightly edges out the other two which have bolder cancellations.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $6,450.00 as 100). Only two others have achieved the ultimate Gem 100 Jumbo grade (both used) with the next highest at 98 Jumbo (no Gem 100 examples)
