Sale 1144 — Smithsonian National Postal Museum Benefit Auction

Sale Date — Tuesday, 13 December, 2016

Category — 1c 1851-56 Issue, Types Ia-II (Scott 5A-7)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
7
c
Sale 1144, Lot 7, 1c 1851-56 Issue, Types Ia-II (Scott 5A-7)1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, spectacular deep rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, centered slightly right but with the key design elements showing at top and bottom, tied by perfectly struck "Boston Mass. 7 Sep." circular datestamp on small 1857 Academy of Arts and Sciences circular to Cambridge, light central file fold does not affect stamp

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia ON A SMALL FRESH FOLDED CIRCULAR.

Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Most examples on cover are either off-center, have small faults or are used with other stamps. The example offered here, a choice single on a pristine circular, is a condition rarity.

The earliest documented use of a Scott 19 is September 7, 1857, if the August 1 cover without a yeardate is excluded (see footnote in Scott Catalogue). This predates the September 9 EDU

E. 4,000-5,000
3,000