5c Red Brown (28). Original gum, intense reddish shade and remarkably detailed impression on crisp paper

FINE. THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN IS AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND SINGLE WITH ORIGINAL GUM WE HAVE OFFERED IN OVER TEN YEARS OF AUCTIONS. ONE OF THE GREATEST UNHERALDED ORIGINAL-GUM RARITIES OF CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

The perforated 5c “1856” Red Brown (Scott 28) stamps were made from the stock of imperforate stamps on hand in 1857 when perforations were introduced. Since these were the first 5c stamps to be put through the perforating machine, they were the first to be used, and very few unused examples survive, especially with original gum.

In the past ten years we have offered over 120,000 auction lots of primarily U.S. stamps. During that time, we have offered only one other single with original gum and the block in the following lot. In our opinion, the Scott Catalogue value for Scott 28 with original gum is far too low. The number of original-gum Scott 28 singles falls somewhere between the numbers for the Brick Red (Scott 27) and the Indian Red (Scott 28A), which catalogue $80,000.00 and $175,000.00, respectively. However, since so few have traded hands in the past ten years and since collectors are generally unaware of how rare this issue is with original gum, the catalogue value has remained largely unchanged.

Ex Golin. With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificate.

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