1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, original gum, large margins all around, beautiful dark Plate 4 color, wide break in top outer line, fresh

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS THE FIRST ORIGINAL-GUM, PREVIOUSLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa TO BE GRADED EXTREMELY FINE 90 BY P.S.E., AND IT IS VERY LIKELY TO REMAIN AT THE TOP OF THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT FOR A LONG TIME.

Type IIIa is defined as having a break in the outer line at either top or bottom. The stamp offered here, with huge margins, is an outstanding example of the type, as it clearly shows the bottom line complete and the top line with a wide break. The P.S.E. Population Report shows nothing in OG condition above 50, except for this stamp at XF 90. In the NG/RG/D-POG category there are stamps graded 85 and 95, but we have no idea what the gum condition is for those stamps. Therefore, after years of grading, this OGph XF 90 stamp lands at the top of the Population Report, and we cannot imagine any stamp displacing it, or even matching it, unless something unexpected turns up.

With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph XF 90; SMQ $16,000.00).

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