1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 99R4, original gum, beautiful deep rich color in a distinctive intense Plate 4 shade, proof-like impression, perfs mostly clear of design showing a large part of the bottom plumes, faint corner creases at top right and bottom left (one ending in a minute tear), accompanying 1978 P.F. certificate notes "slightly soiled" which is nothing more than a small faint toned spot in the "U" of "U.S."

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IA.

Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Although Plate 4 was designed with sufficient space to accommodate perforations, the height of the top row and bottom row positions resulted in the perforations often cutting into the design at either top or bottom. For this reason, stamps from the bottom row of Plate 4 with perforations clear of the design are especially desirable, since the characteristics of the type is complete (Type Ia) or nearly complete (Type Ic) at bottom. The stamp offered here is one of the few well-centered examples with original gum, and its intense color and impression make it one of the most beautiful original-gum copies we have ever seen.

With 1978 P.F. certificate

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