30c Full Black (190). Mint N.H., intense shade and sharp proof-like impression, beautifully centered with enormous margins, single perf disc at bottom rests lightly on gum

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARY MINT NEVER-HINGED 30-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS RARELY OBTAINABLE IN CHOICE NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

The 30c 1879 American Bank Note Company issue is surprisingly difficult to obtain in choice Mint N.H. condition. It is surprising because the 15c (Scott 189) is readily available. However, a survey of our photo records and auction library revealed the scarcity of well-centered 30c blocks from which singles could be harvested. The blocks in the Green sales were off center. Caspary had a well-centered hinged block of four, and Lilly had a block of nine with problems. The Moody block of six was well-centered, but appears to have had hinge remnants on all stamps. The Todd collection had two blocks, including one with a Mint N.H. pair at bottom (this has probably been broken, furnishing at least two Mint N.H. stamps). The Close collection had a well-centered block of four (with reinforcing) and a large plate block. The Siegel firm's three major Bank Note Issue sales (Braus, Hirschfield, Wunderlich) contained blocks, but all were either off center or had hinge remnants. A well-centered block of four appeared in our 1982 Rarities sale, but it was hinged.

For the collector who desires only Mint Never-Hinged stamps, this offering is significant. As a guide to relative value, a Mint N.H. example of this stamp in the Fox collection (Sale 829) realized $12,000 hammer.

With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged

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