HAWAII, 1865, 1c Black, Tete-Beche (23b). Plate 8-A, Types III-VII/V-V (Westerberg Positions 4-8/6-6), unused (no gum), the block contains two tete-beche pairs, large margins, light diagonal crease affecting the top of the top right stamp and just touching the frameline of the top left stamp

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL TETE-BECHE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1865 ONE-CENT HAWAIIAN NUMERAL ON LAID PAPER, SCOTT 23. ONLY FOUR BLOCK-SIZE TETE-BECHE MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN.

According to the Westerberg book, this is the first plate with the odd numbered types on the right side of the plates. This plate characteristic and others indicate that Plate 8-A was the last to be used before the type form was reset to print the first 5c Numeral. Chronologically, this follows the 2c, Scott 24, in the order of printing.

We are aware of only four tete-beche multiples larger than a pair, as follows:

1) Pane of ten, ex Caspary

2) Pane of ten, ex Lilly and Golden (Siegel Sale 1009, lot 514, realized $35,000 hammer)

3) Block of 19 (does not contain a complete pane), broken creases and toned, ex Honolulu Advertiser

4) The block of four offered here, ex Burrus and Honolulu Advertiser

Ex Burrus, Honolulu Advertiser and Gross. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Unlisted as a block in Scott. Value as two tete-beche pairs has changed by only $500.00 since our 1995 Honolulu Advertiser sale. Scott value $12,000.00 as two tete-beche pairs.

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