1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of large Boston "Paid" grid leaves the type's defining characteristics clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE Ia. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST DESIRABLE TYPES OF THE ISSUE.

Plate 4's most distinctive feature is that the top row (Positions 1-10L and 1-10R) was entered with the designs complete at top (Type II) and the bottom row (Positions 91-100L and 91-100R) was entered with designs complete or nearly complete at bottom (Types Ia and Ic). Although the plate layout provided sufficient space for perforations, the height of the top-row and bottom-row designs was larger than others in the sheet, which resulted in perforations cutting into either the top or bottom rows, depending on which direction the sheet was fed into the perforator. Type Ia and Ic stamps from the bottom row are almost always cut into at bottom, an unfortunate situation for collectors because the bottom part of the design is what makes Type Ia and Ic stamps desirable.

Ashbrook states: "I consider perforated Type Ia stamps that are not touched by perforations as the rarest stamps in the 1857 perforated issue." (Neinken book, p. 279). The Scott Catalogue contains a footnote: "Copies of this stamp exist with perforations not touching the design at any point. Such copies command very high prices."

Ex "Natalee Grace" and Curtis. With 1998 and 2014 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $32,000.00). Only three grade higher, including the famous Zoellner-Hinrichs copy with wide-spaced perforations (graded 98J).

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