Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-17)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
23
12c Black (17). Typical brownish original gum, large margins to huge incl. part of adjoining stamp at right and sheet margin at left, deep shade and remarkably detailed impression showing every nuance of the latheworkEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE, WITH AN ENORMOUS SHEET MARGIN AT LEFT.
As multiples demonstrate, the spacing between stamps on the plate was very narrow. Sound original-gum examples with four margins are great rarities, and most have been cut from larger multiples. The presence of the sheet margin and the portion of the adjoining stamp at right add considerable value to this stamp.
With 1993 P.S.E. and 1997 P.F. certificates
6,500
3,000