12c Grayish Black, Part India Paper (17 var). Positions 61-63/71-73/81-83L1, block of nine with part of left sheet margin, original gum unevenly applied (a characteristic of original-gum examples on Part India paper and described on accompanying certificate as "original gum previously hinged"), lightly hinged, two stamps (Positions 71-72L1) appear Mint N.H. but not described as such on accompanying certificate, large margins to barely touched at bottom right, distinctive Grayish Black shade and early proof-like impression on unusually bright paper with soft fibrous texture, Positions 63L and 73L are "double recuts" (only four such double-recut positions exist on Plate 1), light vertical crease affects right stamps (Positions 63/73/83L), faint corner crease (really just a wrinkle) at bottom left (Position 81L), Positions 61-62/71-72L and 82L are completely sound

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON PART INDIA PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCKS OF THIS ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION-WORTHY MULTIPLE.

The 3c and 12c 1851 Issue are both found on Part India paper, which is a hand-made silky paper that varies in thickness within the same sheet. The Neinken 12c 1851-57 book (pp. 61-64) quotes from earlier publications by Ashbrook, Chase and Jaeger, which describe the look and feel of Part India stamps. Referring to a pair (ex Richey) and strip of five (ex Newbury), the 12c Part India stamps are described as "undoubtedly from the very first impressions from the Twelve Cent plate. The engravings are very sharp and resemble die proofs or plate proofs on India. The shades of both these items are of the earliest known, the distinctive grayish." It is also speculated that the Part India stamps "came from 'trial printings' i.e., proof sheets that were afterwards thrown in the regular stock, then gummed and issued to various post offices." Although the 12c Part India paper has been described as "thin" or "very thin", it is actually thicker when gauged on a micrometer. Its "thinness" is better described as "softness", a paper characteristic that enhances the impression, but appears to have been problematic in gumming.

This is probably the block of nine offered in the 1917 Worthington sale (J. C. Morganthau & Co., 131st Sale, Aug. 21-23, 1917, lot 109), where described as "lighter shade, block of 9, o.g., the right hand stamps gum crease." We know of two other 12c Part India blocks, both of four stamps. There are also original-gum blocks of nine, ten and fifteen in the normal Black shade on regular paper.

Ex "J & J Collection. With 2005 P.F. certificate

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables