5c Orange Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1b-E). Radiant color in the distinctive Orange Brown shade, showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large even margins all around, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Philada Pa. 5cts. Jan. 27" integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to Princeton N.J., trivial age spotting

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE ON COVER. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.

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."

Ex Gibson and Rust. With 1990 P.F. certificate. This shade with the Double Transfer Type E is not listed in Scott..

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables