United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA WITH ORIGINAL GUM.

Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate. The Type IIIa from Plate 4 with original gum is extremely rare.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

To describe this extraordinary stamp merely as a Scott 9 with original gum does not do justice to its condition. There is no doubt that it comes from an original-gum multiple cut apart in recent years, because any single 1c 1851 stamp of this quality would have been mounted with hinges in collections going back to the early 20th century. It is also quite possible that the stamp comes from a position in the block that was never hinged, for there is only a small area of unevenness in the gummed selvage, and we see no trace of hinging. For the collector who demands original gum on classic stamps, this is the ultimate example of the 1c Type IV imperforate.

With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT WITH TRIPLE TRANSFER, ONE INVERTED, FROM PLATE 1 LATE.

The three inverted transfers occurred during the making of Plate 1 Early. Positions 71L, 81L and 91L were entered from the three-subject transfer roll in the spaces where the first three entries had been made and erased (but not fully erased). The three entries that were erased were made in the upper corner left corner of the plate (which would produce 10R, 20R and 30R). The plate was turned 180 degrees before starting fresh entries from the transfer roll. Why this was done is not known. Position 91L was re-entered a third time on Plate 1 Early, creating a triple transfer (two upright, one inverted). When Toppan, Carpenter re-worked the worn plate, many of the subjects were re-entered, and all but one were recut at top and/or bottom, creating Scott 9, Type IV, from what we call Plate 1 Late (the same piece of steel in its modified state). Positions 71L and 81L were re-entered, thus becoming triple transfer (one inverted) positions, but 91L was not re-entered.

With 2000 P.S.E.certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING PAIR OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH UNCOMMONLY LARGE MARGINS AND WITH CLEAR STRIKES OF A SAN FRANCISCO CANCELLATION. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT.

With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE PRECANCEL. ONLY THREE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED OF THE LOWER CASE TYPE.

The Philatelic Foundation has certified six stamps as genuine with the "Paid" precancel -- three lower case and three upper case. This is the only stamp with four margins among the six certified examples.

Ex Morris. With 1991 P.F. certificate. (Image)