Sale 804 — The Robert Zoellner Collection of United States
Sale Date — Thursday-Saturday, 8-10 October, 1998
Category — One-Cent 1851 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E, enormous margins all around, leaving every element of the complete design intact as well as a portion of adjoining stamp below, beautiful bright early shade and impression, lightly cancelled by blue circular grid of small squares, faint pressed horizontal crease at bottom (visible only in fluid) and a tiny tear at center of top margin well clear of lineEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY POSITION 7R1E--THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE 1 EARLY--FURNISHED IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT STAMPS SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I). VERY FEW OF THE 80 CONFIRMED EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP HAVE MARGINS CLEAR OF THE DESIGN ON ALL SIDES. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST DESIRABLE CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS.
The census compiled by Mal Brown contains at least 80 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Brown census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.
Because of the significance attached to the outer portions of the 1c 1851 design, rare types that have been carefully cut apart, so as not to impinge on any part of the design, are extremely desirable. The narrow spacing between stamps in the sheet and the users' indifference to the outlying ornamentation during separation are factors that contributed to the great rarity of four-margin examples. Among the recorded imperforate Type I stamps (Scott 5), a small fraction of the copies on or off cover have four full margins. Considering the value premium assigned to complete ornaments at top and plumes at bottom--the distinguishing characteristics of Type I--the value of ample margins is paramount among all condition factors.
This stamp was the top position in a vertical strip of three contained in the Caspary collection. Sometime between the 1956 Caspary sale and the 1988 Clifford C. Cole sale held by this firm, the lower pair was removed. Based on appearance alone, this could well be the finest 1c 1851 Type I known.
Ex Caspary and Cole. With 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 6R1E, large part of top sheet, huge margins on other three sides, wonderful bright early shade and proof-like impression, blue Philadelphia circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR COMBINATION OF CONDITION, COLOR AND RARITY. POSITION 6R (AND 8R) FURNISHED THE BEST TYPE IB EXAMPLES, SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP AND NEARLY COMPLETE DESIGN AT BOTTOM.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib--Positions 3-6R and 8-9R--distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.
All Type Ib stamps are very scarce, and the two best examples (6R and 9R) are rare. These top-row positions usually have an ample top margin, but frequently the margins are close or cutting into the sides or bottom. A Type Ib with large margins all around is a great rarity, particularly in sound condition.
With 1987 P.F. certificate for pair from which this single originates
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Positions 85-86/95-96L4, block of four containing combination of Types Ia (bottom pair) and IIIa (top pair), full original gum, very lightly hinged, deep Plate 4 color on bright fresh paper, large margins including sheet margin at bottom, just barely into top of upper right stamp, faint horizontal crease touches top of bottom pair, minute surface scuff specks barely visible without magnificationVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED IMPERFORATE BLOCK CONTAINING THE RARE TYPE IA. A BRILLIANTLY CHOICE AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT CLASSIC MULTIPLE.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in 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 (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The extremely rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).
This block of four is the only recorded imperforate block, unused or used, containing Type Ia stamps (Scott 6). It was cut from a block of six, which confused Stanley B. Ashbrook into thinking that two blocks existed (one of four and another of six). Today, there is no question that this block is the only one so far discovered or likely to exist.
Noted in "United States Early Unused Blocks 1847-1869" by Philip H. Ward, 1960 Congress Book. Illustrated in 1951 National Philatelic Museum book (p. 358) and Rose's Classic United States Imperforate Stamps (p. 45). Ex Hind, Gibson, Ward, Grunin and Klein
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 98L4, large to huge margins, intense dark shade, deep impression, red New York City carrier circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IA STAMP. EXTREMELY RARE WITH A RED CANCELLATION.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 98L4, large to huge margins, dark Plate 4 color, tied by single neat strike of "New-York May 6" circular datestamp--leaving Type Ia characteristics unobscured--on circular rate cover to West Cornwall Conn.EXTREMELY FINE STAMP AND ATTRACTIVE FRESH COVER. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER BEARING A SUPERB TYPE IA IMPERFORATE STAMP.
Ex Caspary, Lehman and Grunin. Grossly undercatalogued on cover by Scott ($8,500.00 versus $8,000.00 off cover)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Positions 97-99R4, the superb horizontal strip of three with large bottom sheet margin showing the full design at bottom, intense Plate 4 shade and impression, each stamp neatly cancelled by fancy Star of David cancel, "Chicopee Mass. May 14" circular datestamp on orange-buff cover to South Windsor Conn.EXTREMELY FINE STRIP OF TYPE IA AND AN IMMACULATE COVER. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING COVERS OF THE ENTIRE 1851 ISSUE, BEARING THE LARGEST AND FINEST KNOWN MULTIPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IA STAMP.
The reasons for the rarity of imperforate Type Ia stamps are explained in the description for lot 21. Only one unused block is known, and Frank S. Levi Jr. recorded seven used strips of three of the imperforate Type Ia (see Bakers' U.S. Classics, p. 188). This strip on cover is widely acknowledged to be the finest and largest multiple of the imperforate Type Ia.
Illustrated in Brookman Vol. I (p. 114). Ex Newbury and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. Ic (6b). Positions 45-47L4, combination strip containing Types III-III-Ic, huge margins all around showing full characteristics of each type, both Type III stamps have wide breaks in lines at top and bottom, bright shade, fine impression, tied by "Watertown N.Y. Jul. 17" circular datestamps on small neat cover to Sackett's Harbor N.Y., strip lifted to smooth wrinkles and reaffixedEXTREMELY FINE AND AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE COMBINATION OF TYPES IN ONE STRIP.
This strip is believed to be the only such combination of types extant in a multiple of the imperforate 1c stamp. Ex Fleckenstein and Grunin. Unlisted in Scott
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Positions 58-60/67-70/77-80L1E, block of eleven with guideline visible in right margin, full margins to slightly in, additional stamp (Pos. 57) detached and repositioned at top, original gum, gum toning only slightly visible on face, creased in top horizontal row and some creasing in last row near bottomAN IMPORTANT CLASSIC MULTIPLE, BEING THE LARGEST KNOWN BLOCK FROM PLATE ONE EARLY.
This block was discovered within the past five years among a file of old records. It is the largest known block from Plate 1 Early, followed in size by the irregular unused block of eight containing Position 7R1E, an unused and defective block of six (Pos. 51-53/61-631E) and seven or eight unused blocks of four (one used block is also known).
From our 1996 Rarities of the World sale, where it realized $41,800
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 1E, huge margins showing bits of three other adjoining stamps, rich color, blue circular datestamp, Extremely Fine and choice, ex Levi
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 95L1E, large margins all around showing trace of adjoining stamp above, fresh and beautiful pastel shade, blue Troy N.Y. circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Levi
1c Blue, Ty. II, Double Transfer, One Inverted (7 var). Position 71L1E, mostly ample margins, rich color, used with 3c Dull Red (11), Pos. 89L3 with extra vertical lines, pre-use diagonal bend, tied by "Baltimore Md. Jan. 3" circular datestamp on 1853 blue folded letter to New York City, Very Fine, scarce 1c plate variety (Scott Retail $350.00 off cover) and unusual carrier combination usage, ex Levi
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 4R1L, the only position on Plate 1 Late that was not recut (the only Ty. II), large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp below and at left, rich color, neat town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem example of this extremely rare Type II position, which shows the complete design at top and the double transfer, signed Ashbrook
1c Blue, Ty. II, Major Double Transfer (7 var). Position 89R2, large margins, used with Type II single, also large margins, slight corner crease, both have rich color, neat ms. cancels leaving double transfer unobscured, ms. "Portland Ky. Feb. 4" postmark on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Scotland, prepaid 5c shore-to-ship rate but incorrectly credited "19" at New York exchange office, red "America Liverpool Paid FE 21 57" transit datestamp, receiving backstamps, Very Fine, Pos. 89R2 shows a remarkable double entry at bottom, which the Neinken book describes as "the most pronounced double transfer on any U.S. stamp (general issues)" (see Neinken, pp. 181-185)
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (7 var). Positions 1-4/11-14/21-24L2, top left corner margin block of twelve, containing four of the Plate 2 crack positions (2, 12, 13 and 23), a late state of the crack showing widening thru Pos. 23, full original gum, three large to immense margins including most of sheet margins, clear to just barely in on two stamps in bottom row, beautiful rich color and optimum state of freshness, small selvage tear barely into one stamp (Pos. 3), two faint creases not noticeable on face of blockEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE LARGEST RECORDED BLOCK CONTAINING THE PLATE 2 CRACK AND, IN ASHBROOK'S OWN WORDS, "THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT PIECE IS ONE OF THE FINEST ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE ITEMS KNOWN."
Unlike plate cracks resulting from stress fractures during the course of printing, the Plate 2 crack is believed to have been caused by a integral flaw in the steel plate. As Plate 2 was used, the crack widened and extended downward into the fourth row. Due to the nature of this unusually large crack, Ashbrook preferred to call it the "Plate 2 Flaw."
This phenomenal block is described and illustrated (as a block of nine) in the Neinken book (pp. 176-181), Brookman Vol. I (p. 119-120) and Rose's Classic United States Imperforate Stamps (pp. 48-49). Ex Lozier, Edward H. R. Green, Moody, Wunderlich and Ishikawa. With 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (7 var). Positions 1-2L2, horizontal pair, the right stamp showing the upper portion of the crack, large margins to just touching, deep rich color and impression, tied by "New Orleans La. Mar. 16" circular datestamp on 1856 folded circular to Liverpool, England, blue "OPEN PRINTED CIRCULAR" sender's identification handstamp, bold "2" pence due rateEXTREMELY FINE AND RARE TRANSATLANTIC USE OF THE 1-CENT 1851 MAJOR PLATE 2 FLAW.
Ex Chase, Emerson and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (7 var). Position 23-25L2, horizontal strip of three (prepared with long scissors-cuts between stamps), left stamp (Pos. 23) showing bottom of crack in its early state, ample to large margins, tied by grid and "Nantucket Mass. Jun. 24" circular datestamp on small cover to Boston, Extremely Fine, choice example of the Plate 2 flaw, ex Neinken
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (7 var). Positions 12-14L2, horizontal strip of three, crack from top to bottom of lefthand pair, enormous margins including parts of six adjoining stamps at top and bottom, slightly into top left, wonderful rich color and fine impression, tied by neat pen stroke, "Hillsboro N.H. Jan. 19" circular datestamp on buff cover to Warren N.H., Very Fine and striking example of the Plate 2 flaw
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 2R4--top row of Plate 4--a superb stamp with large margins all around and part of top sheet margin, beautiful dark shade and fine impression, neatly tied by "Clinton Conn. Jul. 10" circular datestamp on cover to Brooklyn N.Y., slightly aged along two edges, Extremely Fine Gem stamp and a choice cover--the top row of Plate 4 produced Type II stamps with the complete design at top; these distinctive positions are highly regarded by specialists and described as "rare" and "beautiful" in Neinken (pp. 269-270)--ex Emerson and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, appears to be a C Relief in a later state, showing wide breaks in outer lines at top and bottom (possibly 64R4), huge margins all around, deep rich color and impression, lightly cancelled by town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1987 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (8). Large top and bottom margins and full margins at sides, showing wide breaks in outer lines and double transfer--the distinctive traits of this position--tied by "New York Oct. 29" circular datestamp on folded cover to Troy N.Y., circa 1856-57EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS 1-CENT 1851 RARITY.
We quote from the Neinken book: "This one Type III comes from 99R2 and it is unquestionably the finest example of this type produced from any of the one cent plates. As a type, its popularity ranks second only to the Type I, 7R1E..." (p. 172); "The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry, that was short transferred both at top and bottom, over an original entry that had been erased... The reason that 99R2 is the finest example of Type III is because of its very short transfer at top and at bottom, giving us the wide breaks in these lines." (p. 184)
Ex Caspary, Lehman and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. III-IIIa (8-8A). Positions 55-56L4, horizontal pair combining Types III (wide breaks in top and bottom lines of left stamp) and IIIa (wide break in top line), large margins, very slight negligible bend in upper right corner, tied by lightly struck New Orleans circular datestamp on Aug. 1857 folded printed circular to Marseilles, France, sender's blue "PRINTED CIRCULAR/PER STEAMER" handstamp, red French transit, red "15" decimes due handstamp, Extremely Fine pair and rare transatlantic circular-rate usage, ex White and Grunin, signed Ashbrook, with 1978 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $3,750.00 for the pair off cover
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, large even margins, lovely dark shade, lightly cancelled by town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1986 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II/IIIa (7/8). Plate 1E, vertical pair combining Types II at top and IIIa at bottom (wide break in top line), huge margins all around showing bits of surrounding stamps, bright shade and rich color, lightly cancelled by grids, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 1982 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Positions 79-80L4, horizontal pair with part of right sheet margin and large to huge margins on other three sides, wide breaks in lines at top, beautiful dark Plate 4 shade and lightly cancelled by town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem pair, with 1974 P.F. certificate--the pair is undervalued in Scott (a mere $100 premium over two singles)
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Position 17R1E, huge top margin with part of stamp above--the rare Type I, Position 7R1E (Scott 5), the balls and plumes of which are clearly visible--beautiful bright shade, neatly tied by brownish-black "Wrentham Mass. May 21" circular datestamp on small locally-addressed cover, immaculate and Extremely Fine, a superb cover and stamp, possessing the coveted elements of the rare 7R1E, ex Newbury and Grunin, Scott Retail $1,000.00
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 93L1L, recut once at top, large to enormous margins including part of bottom sheet margin, neat town datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Levi
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 16R1L, recut once at top and bottom, large to ample margins, rich color, perfectly struck "U.S. Mail/City Delivery/1" New York City carrier datestamp, Very Fine, ex Levi
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 94L1L, recut once at top, large even margins, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine, ex Levi
7c Blue, Ty. II-IV (7-9). Horizontal strip of six from Positions 4R thru 9R Plate 1 Late, a fascinating multiple containing the only Type II stamp on Plate 1 Late (4R) and the recut versions of Types I (7R) and Ib (5, 6, 8 and 9R), full even margins, intense shade and proof-like impression from a very early printing from the reconstituted plate, the former Type I has much of the bottom design complete and the double transfers show clearly, neat San Francisco circular datestamps, slight creases and tiny margin tears affect a few stamps, still Very Fine, an extremely rare strip, which was not among the Type II-IV combination multiples recorded by Steven Rosen in Chronicle No. 98 (May 1978), ex Stevenson
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 7R1L, the recut state of Type I, a phenomenal stamp with gigantic margins all around, including large portion of top sheet margin and parts of adjoining stamps at right and bottom, one of the earliest and clearest impressions known from Plate 1 Late, showing mostly complete plumes at bottom and the pronounced double transfer--only the recut bottom line and erasure of balls at bottom distinguish this stamp from its Type I counterpart--tied by "Boston Paid May 6" circular datestamp on 1853 folded letter, Extremely Fine Gem stamp and cover--the characteristics of this stamp are so close to Type I, it is difficult to avoid equating one with the other--ex Knapp, Moody, Brooks, Hindes and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Positions 71/81/91R1L, the magnificent vertical strip of three with full corner sheet margins showing centerline at left, faint corner crease in selvage, lifted and hinged in place, tied by "New-York Oct. 22" circular datestamps on buff cover to Beaver Pa., forwarded to Toledo O. with red datestamp and "5" rate handstamp (strengthened in red pencil), backflap has blue embossed return card, Extremely Fine Gem strip and a spectacular cover, ex Stark, Fleckenstein and Grunin, signed Ashbrook
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Positions 1-2R1L, magnificent top left corner margin horizontal pair showing centerline and guide dot at left, other sides huge, rich color, tied by vivid red "New Orleans La. Sep. 3" circular datestamp on 1855 folded printed circular, to Feldkrich, Austria, orange-red French transit datestamp, ms. "3" due rate, receiving backstamp, a few faint toned spots and tiny wrinkle in pair noted for accuracyEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION ITEM, COMBINING A RARE AND DESIRABLE POSITION MULTIPLE OF THE 1-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH AN UNUSUAL RED NEW ORLEANS DATESTAMP ON A CIRCULAR TO AUSTRIA.
Ex H. J. Baker and Grunin
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Horizontal strip of five, mostly ample to large margins except where slightly in at left, minute tear between two stamps, lightly cancelled by grids and tied by red "Providence R.I. Sep. 16" circular datestamp with matching "Paid" on 1854 folded letter to Paris, France, red "New-York Br. Pkt." exchange office datestamp, red French transit also ties strip, ms. "26" decimes due markingFRESH AND VERY FINE. USE OF FIVE 1-CENT 1851 STAMPS FOR THE SHORE-TO-SHIP RATE ON TRANSATLANTIC MAIL IS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL. THE STRIP AND COMBINATION OF RED MARKINGS CREATE A COLORFUL AND RARE 1851 ISSUE COVER.
Ex Chambers, H. J. Baker and Grunin. Signed Ashbrook