12c Black (69). Block of six, original gum, top four stamps lightly hinged, bottom two stamps Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression

FINE-VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WITH THE BOTTOM STAMPS IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. A BLOCK OF SIX IS ALSO THE LARGEST RECORDED UNUSED MULTIPLE, AND THIS MAY BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

Linn's Stamp Facts notes the largest unused multiple is a block of six. The largest multiple we have offered in our auctions since 1979 is a block of four. Sinkler had a block of four. The Ishikawa collection contained a block of four. Walter Klein only had a pair. We offered a block of six in our 1979 Rarities sale, with disturbed gum on one stamp and "nearly full gum" on the others. The block offered here, with full original gum and with two Mint N.H. stamps, is a remarkable rarity.

With 1994 P.F. certificate stating "previously hinged on the top two, the balance are never hinged". We believe the center stamps show a faint trace of hinging or slightly uneven gum that would likely be called previously hinged by today's stringent expertizing standards. Scott Retail as block of four and pair with no premium for the two Mint N.H. stamps

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