9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. Ib-I-Ib (5A-5-5A). Positions 6-8R1E, horizontal strip of three with large sheet margin at top, center stamp Type I, Position 7R1E, large margins to just touched at bottom but showing full type characteristics, well-struck vivid red grid cancels and matching "Darien (Ga.) Sep. 11" circular datestamp, left stamp (Type Ib) vertical tear at left, right stamp (Type Ib) tiny margin tear at top and two internal creases at top center, the Type I (center stamp) is completely soundAN EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL STRIP OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE, CONTAINING BOTH OF THE BETTER TYPE IB POSITIONS AND A COMPLETELY SOUND EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF POSITION 7R1E -- THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE 1 EARLY -- WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I). PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED CANCELLATION, WHICH COMPLEMENTS THE BRIGHT BLUE SHADE AND LEAVES THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS COMPLETELY VISIBLE.
The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal contains 90 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There have been two additions to the Wagshal census, and there are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the 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, examples 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 contribute to the great rarity of four-margin examples.
The Wagshal Census (this is No. 5-MUL-066) notes that A. R. Brigham wrote to Stanley B. Ashbrook on March 25, 1939, regarding this strip, to state that "I purchased the stamp a little over three years prior from a Boston dealer who informed me it came from a find somewhere near Berlin N.H." The strip comes from the Pasadena Collection and has not been on the market for more than 60 years. It has also been kept in the dark, which accounts for its remarkable color and freshness.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 6R1E, huge margins to barely in at bottom left and showing part of adjoining stamp at right (which is Position 7R1E), sheet margin at top, neat strike of blue Cincinnati circular datestampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF POSITION 6R1E, ONE OF THE TWO POSITIONS THAT 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 have more of the bottom design than the other Type Ib positions.
With 1999 and 2006 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 8R1E, large margins to barely touched, bright color, bold strikes of circular datestamp, faint horizontal crease at bottomVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF POSITION 8R1E, ONE OF THE TWO POSITIONS THAT FURNISHED THE BEST TYPE IB EXAMPLES, SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP AND NEARLY COMPLETE DESIGN AT BOTTOM.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 4R1E, large margins to just touched, bold strike of circular datestamp and small bit of lightened manuscript, couple very minor creasesVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE 1B.
Type Ib comes from only six positions on Plate 1E: Positions 3-6, 8 and 9R1E.
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 92R4, large margins to clear and amply showing the characteristics of the type, rich color, two neat penstroke cancels leave design clearly visibleVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IA IMPERFORATE.
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).
Scott Retail with non-pen cancel $12,500.00. Considering the fact that a light pen cancel leaves the design characteristics unmasked, the reduced Scott value for a pen-cancelled No. 6 seems unjustified.
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 3 (7 var). Position 92L3, unused (no gum), large margins to barely touched incl. part of adjoining stamp at top, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE II ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE 3.
According to Ashbrook and Neinken, Plate 3 is believed to have been made in March or April 1856, possibly to replace the defective Plate 2 and/or to meet the increased demand for stamps concurrent with the April 1855 change in postal regulations requiring prepayment of postage. For an unknown reason -- possibly a severe defect that arose in the plate -- very few stamps were printed from the new Plate 3 before it was retired, and surviving examples are rare.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Unused (no gum), large to ample margins showing a wide break at top, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA IMPERFORATE.
Sound, unused, four-margin examples of the scarcer 1c 1851 types are extremely desirable.
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Huge margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps on three sides, bright color on crisp paper nicely complemented by red Boston circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $720.00 as 95, $980.00 as 98), the grade and SMQ value cannot properly reflect the beauty of this colorful stamp
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Huge margins incl. parts of adjoining stamps at sides and trace of adjoining stamp at top, brilliant color, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,650.00 as 98, unpriced as 98 Jumbo or as 100), only one has graded higher to date
3c Orange Brown (10). Original gum, large to ample margins, brilliant color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE 3-CENT ORANGE BROWN.
With 1976 P.F. certificate for block of four
3c Dull Red (11). Calendar containing 366 used stamps, arranged by month and with clear strikes of circular datestamps showing every date of the year, includes Feb. 29, range of shades and cancels incl. few blue circular datestamps, usual mixed qualityFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE CALENDAR ASSEMBLED FROM THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE. A DAUNTING UNDERTAKING AND A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION PIECE.
Scott Retail of $5,124.00 does not reflect colored cancels or the difficulty of assembling all of the different dates.
5c Red Brown (12). Unused (no gum), three large margins to full at right, wonderful deep rich color and fine impression, tiny paper fault at bottom leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Large margins to clear at bottom, deep rich color, tied by "New Orleans La. Sep. 29" circular datestamp on blue 1856 folded letter to Bordeaux, France, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Oct. 7" transit datestamp, British and French transits, "13" decimes due marking, fresh and Very Fine, ex Grunin, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Large margins to just in at bottom, tied by "New Orleans La. Sep. 14" circular datestamp on 1856 folded letter to Macon, France, stamp also tied by Calais transit, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Sep. 28" circular datestamp, "13" decimes due handstamp, stamp with some slight toning around edges from gum, otherwise Very Fine
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Unused (no gum), large to huge margins all around incl. large part of sheet margin at bottom, bright colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE I.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Huge margins all around, rich color on bright paper, neat strikes of San Francisco circular datestampsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1855 TYPE I. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1968 and 1996 P.F. certificate. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,800.00). Only two have graded higher.
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Horizontal strip of four, large margins to barely in at bottom, deep rich color, cancelled by grids, red "New Orleans La. Jan. 15" circular datestamp on 1856 folded cover to Vera Cruz, Mexico, endorsed "pr. str. Texas", bold "5" due marking, light horizontal file fold well away from stamps, left stamp small tear at top, lightly cleaned, otherwise Very Fine, scarce quadruple-rate usage to Mexico, with 1982 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Unused (no gum), large even margins, bright color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE III.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, large to huge margins all around, bright color, face-free strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV FROM POSITION 64L1.
This is the only recut position which is recut at both top and bottom.
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, large margins, bright color, bold strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF 90; SMQ $3,000.00)
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 3R1, one of the "misplaced relief" positions, recut at top, spectacular huge margins incl. top sheet margin and parts of adjoining stamps at sides, deep rich color, neat New York Ocean Mail circular datestamp, diagonal crease (mostly light) and scissors cut in top right margin far above design, these trivial flaws do not detract from the Extremely Fine Gem appearance of this stamp
12c Black, Part India Paper (17 var.). Unused (no gum), clear to huge margins incl. significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, bright shadeVERY FINE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON PART INDIA PAPER.
A review of our computerized records indicates that, apart from the original-gum block of nine offered in our auction of the "J & J" Collection (Sale 899), we have only offered one other unused single, which also did not have gum. We have also offered six used singles. The absence of gum is almost necessary when offered as a single, in order to correctly identify the variety.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott as unused. Scott Catalogue assigns a premium of 3.14 for the more common used part-India paper ($1,100.00 versus $350.00 for normal). If Scott Catalogue assigned the same premium to the no gum single price (which still would not account for its greater rarity in unused condition), this would catalogue $7,540.00.
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