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15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Center Inverted (119b). Original gum, intense rich colors and sharp impressions, the vignette is precisely centered within frame and the fine details of the intricate engraving are remarkably clear, centered slightly to top with perforations far from frameline on all sides, small and negligible gum residue at lower left, small “W.H.C.” handstamp applied on back by Warren H. Colson

VERY FINE. THE FINEST OF THE THREE RECORDED UNUSED 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT STAMPS, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN WITH ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE RARITIES IN PHILATELY.

Exhibited in the Invited Exhibits section of Anphilex 1996 (New York City). Illustrated in Rare Stamps, L. N. and M. Williams; featured in Lifemagazine’s “The World's Greatest Stamps” (May 3, 1954).

Ex Paul Lichtenstein (the discoverer), George H. Worthington (possibly from the Frederick W. Ayer collection), Alfred F. Lichtenstein, Arthur Hind, Alfred R. Brigham, Josiah K. Lilly Jr., Benjamin D. Phillips, Ryohei Ishikawa and Steven C. Walske (additional past owners and sale information will be found in the Sale History which follows).

Siegel Census No. 119b-OG-01. Certified by The Philatelic Foundation in 1960 and again in 2003 as “Genuine, previously hinged” (certificate 398836, which no longer accompanies stamp). With 2013 P.F. certificate as “Genuine, previously hinged” with a grade of Fine-Very Fine 75. With 2013 Professional Stamp Experts certificate (1270180), which states “genuine unused, o.g., previously hinged” with a grade of Fine 70, Mint OGph.

Click here for an introduction to the 1869 Pictorial Issue: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/1869_Intro.pdf

Click here for the history of the 15c 1869 Invert with original gum: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/15c_History.pdf

Click here for a census of the unused 15c 1869 Pictorial Issue Inverts: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/15c_Unused.pdf

Click here for a list of collectors who have completed sets of the unused 1869 Inverts: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/1869_Collectors.pdf

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