1c Blue, Ty. Ib-II (5A-7). Positions 9-10R1E, horizontal pair from the top right corner of Plate 1 Early, comprising Type Ib at left and the desirable Type II Position 10R1E at right, large margins including part of top sheet margin and traces of adjoining stamps at bottom, bright Plate 1 Early shade and proof-like impression, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), margins to cut in, tied by multiple strikes of red grid cancels and matching "New-York Feb. 11" circular datestamp on greenish blue folded cotton market report datelined Charleston S.C., Feb. 6, 1852, addressed to Basel, Switzerland, sender's routing "Pr Steamer Niagara, New York 11 Febr.", red "BP/24 FE 24/1852" British transit backstamp, red Paris Feb. 25 transit datestamp ties 1c pair, "13" decimes due handstamp ties 3c stamp, red crayon "20" Swiss due marking, Basel receiving backstamp

EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT TRANSATLANTIC COVER TO SWITZERLAND, CARRIED OUTSIDE THE MAILS FROM CHARLESTON TO NEW YORK, THEN BY BRITISH PACKET. THE FRANKING INCLUDES AN EXTREMELY RARE 1851 ONE-CENT PAIR FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE ONE EARLY, COMPRISING THE RARE TYPE Ib FROM POSITION 9R1E AND POSITION 10R1E, THE ONLY TYPE II POSITION ON PLATE ONE EARLY WITH THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP.

Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib -- Positions 3-6R and 8-9R -- distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were ironed out when the entries were made below them. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type. Position 10R was more extensively ironed out at the bottom, but the entry still retained its characteristic Type I Relief T complete design at top.

Ex Emerson. Ashbrook notes on back with his comment "A Superb Cover"

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables