1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Original gum, lightly hinged, huge and even margins all around with wide break at top and showing part of adjoining stamp at top, deep rich Plate 4 color and proof-like impression

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT.

Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate.

The Type IIIa from Plate 4 with original gum is extremely rare. We have offered only four examples in the past ten years in comparable condition: 1) ex Golin with part imprint (Sale 812, lot 4, realized $23,000 hammer); 2) Sale 824, lot 96, realized $12,500 hammer and again in Sale 913, lot 537, realized $13,000 hammer; 3) Sale 836, lot 1142, realized $23,000 hammer; and 4) Sale 872, lot 137, realized $14,500 hammer.

With 2002 P.F. certificate

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