EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE FROM THE MISPLACED RELIEF POSITION -- THE ONLY RECUT POSITION ON THE RIGHT PANE OF THE PLATE. A STUNNING STAMP IN TERMS OF MARGINS, COLOR, CANCEL AND FRESHNESS OF PAPER.
The first 10c plate of 200 (left and right panes of 100) was laid down using a three-subject transfer roll with relief types A, B and C. The C Relief was used only for the bottom row (all Type I design). The A Relief (Type II design) was used to enter the entire second row, and the B Relief (Type III design) was used for the third row. This A/B alternating relief pattern was followed consistently for the fourth through ninth rows. The top row was entered with the A Relief, except for three positions: Positions 1 and 2 in the left pane, and Position 3 in the right pane. These “misplaced reliefs” are B Reliefs, and Positions 1L and 2L are Type III designs, while Position 3R was recut (Type IV).
Position 3R1, one of the three misplaced relief positions on the plate, is also one of eight recut (Type IV) positions and the only recut position on the entire right pane of the plate.
With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,850.00). Only two have graded higher to date, and we believe neither comes from this interesting position.