24c Dark Violet, First Color (60). Deep rich color towards the deeper end of the Dark Violet spectrum which is the unmistakable First Color, neat strike of target cancel, well-balanced margins

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST COLOR. A NEW DISCOVERY, THIS NOW JOINS THE 5-CENT (SCOTT 57), 10-CENT (SCOTT 62B) AND 30-CENT (SCOTT 61) AS THE ONLY USED DENOMINATIONS OF THE FIRST DESIGNS AND COLORS.

In 1861 the contract for printing postage stamps was awarded to National Bank Note Company after Toppan Carpenter's contract expired on June 10, 1861. The designs were changed and the earlier stamps were demonetized, primarily as a means of depriving the seceding states of a form of currency.

National Bank Note Company apparently submitted gummed and perforated samples of their designs. Of the original submitted designs, the 24c and 30c were not altered in any way before approval and use. The original samples for these two denominations were printed in a different shade, and are currently listed in the Trial Color Proof section of Scott Catalogue. A quantity of the 10c First Design was printed and issued from this original plate, although they were likely printed after the normal stamp (Scott 68) was issued. The likely reason is that the original plate was brought into use to keep up with demand for the 10c stamps. Therefore, only the 10c, 24c and 30c plates as originally made were used to print issued stamps. The other denominations -- 1c, 3c, 5c, 12c and 90c -- Scott Nos. 55, 56, 57, 59 and 62 -- were never issued in their original designs. These are called "Premiere Gravures" or "First Designs" by students of the issue.

It is likely that a small supply of the "Premiere Gravures" and First Colors reached philatelic hands at an early stage. Several First Design denominations are known cancelled -- a 12c is known with manuscript "New" written across the design -- but the placement and style of cancel means that they cannot conclusively be shown to have gone through the mails, and are likely experimental or control cancels. The example offered here, with the same design as the issued stamp but in the distinct First Color, has a cork target cancellation consistent with those used during this time period and so it likely was sent through the mail. It is a great rarity of the issue.

With 2016 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott as used. Scott Retail as unused $15,000.00. A better indicator of value would be the unique 5c and 30c used examples, which were offered in our 2012 Natalee Grace sale. They realized $50,000 and $40,000 hammer, respectively.

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