12c Intense Black, First Design (59). Part original gum covering a bit less than half the back, gorgeous intense shade, small surface scrape in bottom margin

FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY SIXTEEN EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE 1861 ISSUE AND THE RAREST OF THE FIRST DESIGNS AND FIRST COLORS.

The 12c is the rarest of the 1861 First Designs and Colors, with a total of 16 examples recorded, including one in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. Our census of the 12c 1861 First Design, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/59.pdf , contains only four sound copies (three have original gum).

Census No. 59-UNC-13. Ex Lutwak, Lessin and Curtis. With 1976, 2002 and 2013 P.F. certificates

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