1c Blue, Type II (20). Positions 52-57/62-67/72-77/82-87/92-97R2, block of 30 from right pane of Plate 2, early impression, several double transfers including Position 93R pronounced shift in bust, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and rich color, well-centered, top left stamp has large nick into design, second horizontal row faintly creased, some separations

VERY FINE OVERALL CONDITION. THIS IS THE LARGEST KNOWN ONE-CENT 1857 PERFORATED BLOCK FROM PLATE 2. A SPECTACULAR MULTIPLE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOCKS OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD.

The 1c Plate 2 was made before perforating was considered; therefore, the spaces between the stamps were insufficient to accommodate perforations. The majority of 1c stamps from Plate 2 were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Perforated 1c stamps were issued beginning in July 1857, and Plate 2 (along with Plate 4) was used until replaced by new plates in late 1857.

Plate 2 multiples with original gum are far rarer perforated than in imperforate form. The converse is true for multiples from Plate 4. Although Type II perforated blocks with original gum are abundant from 1861 printings (Plates 11-12), Type II perforated blocks from Plate 2 are exceedingly rare.

At the time of our 1998 Zoellner sale, we determined that this block of 30 was originally joined with the famous 99R2 block (Positions 78-80/88-90/98-100R2) offered in our sale of the William H. Gross multiples (Sale 1200, lot 32). Both blocks were once part of the Caspary collection; another block in the Caspary sale (lot 596) also fits into this large multiple, filling Positions 58-59/68-69R2. There are three or four other blocks (unplated) in the Caspary and West sales that might also be part of the original large multiple.

Ex Caspary, Seymour, Bechtel, Zoellner and Gross. Scott value exceeds $40,000.00 as blocks and pairs.

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