1c Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E, huge margins to barely touched at bottom, including large sheet margin at top, with significant parts of adjoining stamps at sides -- both of which are Type Ib (5A) -- enough of adjoining stamps show to see some of their type characteristics, cancelled by neat strike of red grid and matching "Darien (Ga.) Sep. 11" circular datestamp, gorgeous color and impression

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE I, POSITION 7R1E, WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED COLORED CANCEL. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. IT IS ONE OF TWO GRADED XF 90 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED -- AND ONLY THIS STAMP IS CANCELLED IN RED.

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 regularly issued prior to the 1868 Grills.

Because of the significance attached to the outer portions of the 1c 1851 design, rare types that have been carefully cut apart, so as not to impinge on any part of the design, are extremely desirable. The narrow spacing between stamps in the sheet and the users' indifference to the outlying ornamentation during separation are factors that contributed to the great rarity of four-margin copies. The example offered here comes from a strip of three of Positions 6-8R1E, offered in our 2007 Rarities sale, which was cut apart with a view towards preserving the margins of this stamp. Examples of Position 7R1E (Scott 5) with large right and bottom margins, where there was very little space between it and the adjoining stamps, are true rarities. In fact, using the census data, it is clear that this stamp is among the two or three finest sound off-cover examples known. The ex-Newbury strip on cover and the ex-Vogel single on cover are among the finest examples of Position 7R1E on cover.

Wagshal Census No. 5-MUL-66. Ex Merlin. With 2007 (as strip of three) and 2017 P.F. certificates. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $525,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and one other shares it, which is cancelled in black (see Sale 1209, lot 1094). The Scott Catalogue notes "Values for No. 5 are for examples with margins touching or cutting slightly into the design, or for examples with four margins and minor faults. Very few examples with the design untouched exist, and these sell for much more than the values shown."

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