1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (21). Deep rich color, choice centering for this unique position with its characteristic wide breaks and double transfer clearly visible, light strike of blue town datestamp

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE EXTREMELY RARE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III.

On Plate 2, 198 of the 200 positions were Type II. Position 100R was Type II in the early stage of the plate, but as wear began to weaken the bottom line, it became Type IIIa with a small break at bottom. Positions 89R and 99R on Plate 2 have been the focus of special attention, because of their unusual nature. Ashbrook states: "A study of the double transfers of 89R2 and 99R2 is most interesting, because here in a vertical pair of positions we have two distinct varieties... The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry that was short transferred both at top and bottom over an original entry that had been erased... The stamp, 89R2, is a re-entry, but not in the proper sense of this term, because the re-entry on the lower part of this position was an error, as it was not made to correct an existent fault of the original 89R transfer."

Plate 2 stamps were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Beginning in July 1857 stamps from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4 were issued with perforations, and Plates 2 and 4 continued to produce stamps through late 1857. Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form; conversely, Plate 4 stamps are rarer imperforate than in perforated form. However, perforated 99R2 stamps are of extreme rarity with perhaps 10 to 15 examples known in any condition (one unused, which is contained in a block, and the others used, including two on covers). Most have faults or are very off-center. This sound example cancelled by a lightly-struck blue datestamp is one of the finest extant.

With 1993 and 2005 P.F. certificate

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