1c Blue, Ty. Ib-I-Ib (5A-5-5A). Positions 6-8R1E, horizontal strip of three with large sheet margin at top, center stamp Type I, Position 7R1E, large margins to just touched at bottom but showing full type characteristics, well-struck vivid red grid cancels and matching "Darien (Ga.) Sep. 11" circular datestamp, left stamp (Type Ib) vertical tear at left, right stamp (Type Ib) tiny margin tear at top and two internal creases at top center, the Type I (center stamp) is completely sound

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL STRIP OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE, CONTAINING BOTH OF THE BETTER TYPE IB POSITIONS AND A COMPLETELY SOUND EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF POSITION 7R1E -- THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE 1 EARLY -- WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I). PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CANCELLATION, WHICH COMPLEMENTS THE BRIGHT BLUE SHADE AND LEAVES THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS COMPLETELY VISIBLE.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal contains 90 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There have been two additions to the Wagshal census, and there are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.

Because of the significance attached to the outer portions of the 1c 1851 design, examples that have been carefully cut apart so as not to impinge on any part of the design are extremely desirable. The narrow spacing between stamps in the sheet and the users' indifference to the outlying ornamentation during separation are factors that contribute to the great rarity of four-margin examples.

The Wagshal Census (this is No. 5-MUL-066) notes that A. R. Brigham wrote to Stanley B. Ashbrook on March 25, 1939, regarding this strip, to state that "I purchased the stamp a little over three years prior from a Boston dealer who informed me it came from a find somewhere near Berlin N.H." The strip comes from the Pasadena Collection and has not been on the market for more than 60 years. It has also been kept in the dark, which accounts for its remarkable color and freshness.

With 2007 P.F. certificate

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