5c Red Brown (12). Block of five, originally a block of six but top right stamp was removed, ample margins to slightly in at right, rich color, tied by five strikes of open grid cancel, "Pekin Ills. Jan. 20" (ca. 1857) circular datestamp on cover to Berlin, Prussia, red "N.York Br. Pkt. 7 Paid Jan. 27" credit datestamp for Prussian Closed Mail, red "Aachen 13/2 Franco" boxed transit datestamp, receiving backstamps, one stamp in block has small pinhole, a few other trivial faults

FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE ON COVER.

Our records show ten blocks of the 5c 1856 stamp, including an original-gum block, five off-cover used blocks, and four blocks on cover. An intact block of six on cover is the largest of all recorded multiples. The cover offered here (ex Gibson, Rohloff and Mayer) was originally franked with a block of six, but in an act of depraved indifference to philately, someone cut off the top right stamp.

Ex Gibson, Rohloff and Mayer. Scott Retail for a used block of four off cover

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables