6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear "R" of watermark, rich color on bright white paper

FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 ISSUE WITH USIR WATERMARK.

The 6c USIR Watermark is considerably rarer than the 8c, especially in original-gum condition. We record approximately 13 original-gum copies: six singles, four stamps in two pairs and three stamps in a strip of three. However, we are not certain if all of the stamps in the multiples have the "I" or "R" portion of the watermark. The P.F. records contain only four singles and a pair. Of the singles, one has perfs touching the design at top, and one is also very close on one side. The pair with original gum in the P.F. records is a top sheet margin horizontal pair, with part of the imprint above the left stamp. There was also a pair centered to top with a straight edge at left in the Lilly collection, as well as a strip of three centered to top in the Col. Green collection (from which this stamp originated).

Ex Col. Green. With copy of 1984 P.F. certificate for strip of three.

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