24c Blackish Violet (78c). Magnificent intense color, perfect clear strike of "Paid" cancel, perfs just in at top

FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADE OF THE 1861-63 ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN ANY CONDITION.

A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered.

With 1992 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates

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