12c Black, Printed on Both Sides (17c). Back printed inverted in relation to impression on face, back of stamp shows part of the top of two designs with clear "E" and "U" of lettering, face of stamp with large margins to in and a red grid cancel, small thin spot

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE 1851 ISSUE. THIS IS A NEW DISCOVERY AND IS OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME. ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED.

Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. The variety is known on the three denominations issued in 1851 -- 1c, 3c and 12c -- but not on the imperforate stamps issued in 1855 (10c) and 1856 (5c).

Reports have varied as to how many copies of the 12c 1851 printed on both sides are known. Brookman reported that he knew of four. However, we have previously only been able to locate two complete stamps, and this is the number widely used by students today. None is known unused. This stamp was found by one of our specialists in an old New England collection formed in the 1920's and 1930's.

Our census of Scott 17c can be found at: http://siegelauctions.com/census/us/17c

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