1c Blue, Ty. I-Ib-Ib (5-5A-5A). Positions 7R1E with 8-9R1E in a horizontal strip of three, left stamp Type I, right pair Type Ib, large margins to slightly in, beautiful early shade and impression nicely complemented by red grid cancels, light corner crease at top left not mentioned in census

FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY OFF-COVER STRIP OF THREE FROM POSITIONS 7, 8 AND 9 FROM THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY. AN OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE CONTAINING THE RARE TYPE I AND TWO OF THE SIX POSITIONS THAT PRODUCED TYPE Ib.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal (available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/5 ) contains at least 98 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.

The census lists three covers bearing strips with these exact positions. The famous unused block of eight (currently in a private collection and not likely to be available for some time) also contains these positions.

Wagshal Census No. 5-MUL-067. Ex Richey and Neinken. Scott value as a strip of three with one stamp Type I is $203,000.00

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables