12c Black (36). Plate 1, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and crisp impression on bright paper, absolutely perfect centering with perforations evenly framing design and showing outer frameline on all four sides

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE PERFORATED 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE -- THE PLATE 1 PRINTING IN PARTICULAR -- IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS STAMP EASILY RANKS AS ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES EXTANT.

Any multiple of the 1857 12c Black from Plate 1 will demonstrate the narrow layout of this plate, which produced Scott 36. Even when the perforations are aligned between stamps, they still punch out part of the outer frameline. Plate 3, which produced Scott 36b, remedied this problem by allowing more space for perforations.

The stamp offered here is completely sound with proof-like impression and original gum. It shows the outer frameline on all four sides virtually without interruption. There are very few examples of Scott 36 that exist in condition comparable to that of the stamp offered here.

With 1995 P.F. certificate

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