10c Black (2). Full to
huge margins with framelines of two adjoining stamps showing at right and
bottom, fine impression, Wheeling Va. control grid in red struck
across lower right corner, lightly struck blue grid cancels, certificate
mentions "light horizontal crease at top" which is barely discernible in or
out of fluidEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINEST OFF-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE WHEELING CONTROL GRID ON THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE, OF WHICH A TOTAL OF NINE ARE RECORDED.
The Levi-Wall census contains four covers and five off-cover 10c 1847 stamps with the Wheeling Va. control grid. Most of the known copies have defects. In addition, there are two covers and three (possibly seven) off-cover 5c 1847 stamps with the same red control grid.
The red grid was applied once to every four stamps, precisely at the center of each block in the sheet. The 5c and 10c 1847 stamps from the first shipment were marked in this manner, but the purpose of the marking has never been established conclusively. Because used examples were cancelled by the customary "Paid" or grid in blue, the Wheeling red grid is not considered to be a true pre-cancellation, which would suffice for mailing without further cancelling. 1847 stamps with the red grid in one corner and an additional blue cancel of Wheeling are classified as control grid examples. One theory is that the marking served to provide security against post office theft.
Ex Zoellner. With 1980 and 1998 P.F. certificates (Image)
10c Black (2). Ample to
large margins, red Scarab cancel of St. Johnsbury Vt., sharp
impression with unusually wide dimensions -- the entire design is
stretched approximately one millimeter along the horizontal axis (unlike
anything we recall seeing before), Very Fine and potentially a significant
plate variety (Image)
10c Black (2). Position
60R1 with extra wide sheet margin at right, other sides with huge
margins incl. parts of three adjacent stamps, light red square grid
cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A RARE POSITION PIECE IN OUTSTANDING CHOICE CONDITION. A SPECTACULAR 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
With 1995 P.S.E. and 1996 P.F. certificates (Image)
10c Black (2). Huge
margins all around incl. trace of adjacent stamp at top, sharp early
impression, red straightline "PAID" cancel, Extremely Fine, with
1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
10c Black (2). Large to
huge margins all around incl. trace of adjacent stamp at bottom, red square
grid cancel, Extremely Fine and choice
(Image)