10c Green, Ty. I (31). Position 99R1 with curl in left "X" and wide sheet selvage at bottom original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful bright shade, choice centering with wide margins leaving the key design characteristics framed by white, tiny toned speck in selvage

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE I WITH WIDE SHEET SELVAGE AND UNUSUALLY CHOICE CENTERING. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM COPIES IN EXISTENCE.

Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic available to collectors is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as gum and soundness are taken into consideration.

A review using Power Search shows exactly how rare this stamp is in such superior condition. We have offered only one other in sound original-gum and centered condition in the past 15 years. The presence of the sheet selvage on this Type I stamp is an extraordinary bonus.

Ex U.S. Trust Co. sale, Southern Cross and Weisman. With 1991 P.F. and 1993 P.S.E. certificates. Offered to the market for the first time in ten years.

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