90c Carmine (191). Horizontal block of ten, original gum, right six stamps Mint N.H., left block of four lightly hinged, brilliant color, unusually choice centering throughout

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS MAGNIFICENT BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 90-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, WITH ITS SIX MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS, IS A GREAT RARITY. UNLESS RESCUED BY A LOVING COLLECTOR, IT IS LIKELY TO BE BROKEN FOR ITS GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED SINGLES.

Most blocks of 19th Century stamps containing superb stamps, especially in Mint N.H. condition, have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. When this block last appeared at auction, in our 1995 Rarities sale, "J & J" saved the block from being broken, paying $27,000 hammer against its $14,300 catalogue value. It remains to be seen how much longer this block will remain intact.

With 1995 P.F. certificate

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