3c Scarlet (74). Original gum, brilliant color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centered with well-balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS AND WITH ORIGINAL GUM. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893 -- probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition -- and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870's, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.

With 1991 P.F. certificate

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