90c Rose Carmine (166). Bottom margin block of four with full "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK" imprint, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., beautiful bright color on fresh paper, top stamps almost perfectly-centered, bottom stamps with extra wide margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM BLOCK OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY PRINTING. THIS IS THE ONLY BLOCK OF THIS STAMP KNOWN TO US SHOWING THE IMPRINT. THE PRESENCE OF TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS IS ALSO REMARKABLE.

As this block vividly demonstrates, Continental Bank Note Co. used the National plate to print 90c stamps in 1873, leaving the National imprint unchanged. The Chapin book records a unique plate number block of four without imprint. Our search of specialized Bank Note auctions and major name sales failed to reveal another block showing the imprint. Probably a half-dozen additional blocks still exist, but most of the well-centered blocks have been broken into singles. Given the two Mint N.H. stamps, we are surprised this is still intact -- we have sold only three Mint N.H. singles, according to Power Search.

With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as block of four with no premium for either the imprint or the two Mint N.H. stamps.

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