5c Grayish Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1a-E). Beautiful shade, showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", full to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at top, tied by red grid, matching "Providence R.I. Jan. 20" circular datestamp and matching "5" handstamp on 1848 folded letter to New Bedford Mass., light vertical file fold well away from stamp

VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" ON A COVER. THIS JANUARY 1848 COVER PROVES BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT THE MOWER SHIFT EXISTED ON THE ORIGINAL STATE OF THE PLATE. IT MAY ALSO BE UNIQUE IN THIS SHADE. A FANTASTIC EXHIBITION ITEM.

The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away. I believe that we can only find the 'E' among the very earliest prints from the plate." His theory is confirmed by this cover and one other, dated at Boston on July 5, 1848. The 5c plate was not reworked until late in 1850.

With 1989 P.S.E. certificate.

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