U.S. Penny Post, St. Louis
Mo., 2c Black (8LB1). Type I, unused (no gum), three large margins with
outer framelines complete on three sides and part of adjoining stamp's
frameline at bottom, clear of outer frameline at right, intense shade and
impression, tiny toned spotVERY FINE. ONE OF THE THREE FINEST OF THE FOURTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ST. LOUIS 2-CENT BLACK CARRIER STAMP.
Our census of the St. Louis 8LB1 carrier stamp contains 11 unused and 3 used stamps (none is known on cover). Only 5 of the 14 stamps are Type I. A completely sound example realized $6,000 in our Golden sale. This stamp, with a tiny toned spot, is one of the three finest of all known examples.
Ex Col. Green. "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp. (Image)