1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 73L4, unused (no gum), almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, design virtually clear of perforations all around, rich color on brilliant paper

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III STAMP. A STAMP OF MARVELOUS VISUAL APPEAL.

This stamp was made from Plate 4, which had narrow spacing between stamps. It originally produced imperforate stamps and was used only briefly after the introduction of perforations in 1857 before being discontinued. The narrow spacing on the plate, combined with the difficulties experienced when perforations were first introduced, accounts for the rarity of well-centered stamps made from this plate.

A review of our records found only two original-gum examples with centering comparable to the example offered here. We did not find any other unused no-gum examples that compared favorably to this one. We feel confident in stating that this is one of the best-centered copies in existence.

With 1986 and 2003 P.F. certificates.

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