Sale 1244 — The Arthur S. Przybyl Collection of United States, Confederate States and Hawaii
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 November, 2021
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-17)
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 5R1E, original gum, large margins to in at top including part of adjoining stamp at left, crisp early shade and impressionA FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ib IMPERFORATE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES CLASSIC STAMPS IN UNUSED CONDITION, AND ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib--Positions 3-6R and 8-9R--distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away.
Based on our familiarity with Plate 1 Early singles and multiples with original gum, we are confident that the gum on this stamp is original. It is described as original gum on 2000 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates, but two earlier P.F. certificates (1988 and 1989) described this stamp as regummed.
A thorough search of past auctions and our own extensive records produced a result that surprised us. The unique unused block of eight from Plate 1E contains Position 7R1E (Scott 5) and five Type Ib stamps (with faults). The famous ex-Waterhouse copy of Position 7R1E is joined with a pair of Type Ib stamps (this unused unit is currently owned by William H. Gross). The multiples, containing a total of seven Type Ib stamps, really do not fit the needs of collectors who want a single unused example of Scott 5A. We located fewer than half a dozen unused singles--with or without gum--and we were surprised at the conspicuous absence of any unused Scott 5A stamps in several major name sales, including Wagshal.
Ex Robert R. Hall and "Alan". With 2000 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates as original gum. Also with 1988 and 1989 P.F. certificates as regummed (incorrectly, in our opinion). Scott value as original gum
