St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Types II/III, Positions 4/6, vertical pair, large margins at top and left, ample to clear on other sides, sharp impression, each stamp with neat manuscript cancel, tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Jul. 6" (1846) circular datestamp on piece from which it has been lifted, back of pair shows offset impression including 20c Position 3 (numeral "20" very clear), light crease in top stamp noted on the certificate, slight thin spots not noted

FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS PAIR OF 10-CENT ST. LOUIS "BEARS" WITH OFFSET OF THE 20-CENT ON BACK REPRESENTS THE ONLY CONFIRMED EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT ON GREENISH PAPER FROM THE ALTERED PLATE.

The presence of a 20c impression on a 10c stamp on Greenish paper is significant, even as offset, for the reasons we shall explain. The original plate comprised three 5c stamps (left vertical row) and three 10c stamps (right vertical row), and the printing from the plate in this state was made exclusively on Greenish paper. Shortly after, two of the 5c subjects (Positions 1 and 3) were altered by burnishing out the "5" numeral on each and engraving a "20" in its place. Impressions from the altered plate containing two 20c subjects was made almost exclusively on Gray Lilac paper, but the existence of five 20c stamps on Greenish paper is evidence that at least some impressions from the altered plate were made on this paper color. It is assumed that a small supply of Greenish paper was mixed in with the Gray Lilac sheets when the second printing was made.

10c Greenish paper stamps cannot be assigned to the original or altered state of the plate, because the 10c subjects remained the same. However, there are two conditions that permit identification. The most obvious condition is when the 10c is part of a 20c multiple or has some part of an adjoining 20c (on Greenish paper). However, no 10c/20c se-tenant pairs are known on Greenish paper (the two known examples are on Gray Lilac). The second condition is more subtle and is demonstrated by the pair offered here: the back of the pair has offset of the 20c value, which is visual and undeniable proof that the pair was printed from the altered plate. It could only occur if the original sheet had been turned 180 degrees before being placed on the sheet beneath, which left the offset impression of the opposing vertical row.

Signed Colson. Ex Weill Brothers sale. With 1990 P.F. certificate stating "both stamps showing a light partial offset of the 20c on back"

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