5c Brown (29). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, bright color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering throughout, each stamp with perforations well clear of the outer projections, crisp paper, long and full perforations all around

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR IS THE FINEST OF THE THREE IN EXISTENCE AND IS A STUNNING SHOWPIECE. THIS REMARKABLE BLOCK WAS FEATURED ON THE FRONT COVER OF PART TWO OF THE WALTER KLEIN COLLECTION, BEATING OUT SUCH CONTENDERS AS A BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE AND A BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE FOR THE HONOR.

This block is important for several reasons. In several of our past catalogue descriptions, we have stated that due to the narrow spacing on the plate, many examples of Type I are either touched or badly cutting into the design. There is no better way to demonstrate this fact than with a multiple. This block is also important because it is one of the last surviving classic U.S. multiples with well-centered stamps. Virtually all have been broken to feed the demand for high-quality singles.

There are only three blocks of four of the 5c Brown. Amazingly, all were owned by Walter Klein. They are: 1) the block offered here, sound, each stamp well-centered, ex Worthington, Sinkler, Ward and Klein; 2) block of four with bottom right stamp showing the transfer flaw, slight reinforcement, tiny nick in perf hole at top left, ex Caspary, Klein and Zoellner; and 3) block of four with bottom right stamp showing the transfer flaw, perfs either into or touching design on right stamps, ex Caspary, Lehman and Klein.

With 1988 P.F. certificate.

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