Sale 989 — 2010 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 98L4, full to large margins all around, deep rich color, unobtrusive strikes of cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia.
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).
Ex Engel. With 1958, 1992 and 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $18,900.00)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Bottom row Plate 4, large margins to ample at lower left, clearly showing the characteristics of the type, rich color, "Sep 16" portion of circular datestamp heavily impressed, which cuts paper along bottom of "1" (not so noted on either certificate)VERY FINE APPEARING 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).
With 1991 and 2008 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Large margins to just touched, cancelled by red segmented cork, matching "Hockanum Ct. Mar. 10" circular datestamp on Temperance cover to East Granby Conn., Jewett imprint at right, stamp with light crease at left and scuff at right (neither mentioned on accompanying certificate), otherwise Very Fine, especially desirable with the red cancel, ex Brooks, Fleckenstein, Rogers and Cipolla, with 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, IV (7, 9). Positions 3-10R1L, horizontal strip of eight, second stamp is Position 4R, the only Type II on Plate 1 Late, huge margins to just touched incl. part of sheet margin at top and right, cancelled by penstrokes on oversize wrapper which has been reduced and refolded to Enfield Conn., stamps with few flaws, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, this strip contains the only position not recut on Plate 1 Late and also the late state of the important Positions 7 (originally Ty. I on Plate 1E) as well as 3, 5, 8 and 9 (originally Ty. Ib), this probably paid a circular or printed matter rate, ex Tocher and Cipolla
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, E Relief, huge and even margins all around which clearly shows the characteristics of the type, intense shade and impression, neat strike of circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING AND SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, the majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. This stamp is notable for its wide breaks at both top and bottom.
With 1987 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00).
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Position 31L4 with wide break at top, original gum, lightly hinged, huge even margins, rich Plate 4 colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-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. As an indication of rarity in such superb condition, this stamp realized $23,000 hammer in our Sale 836.
Ex Odeneal. With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Three large margins showing part of adjacent stamp at left, just into frameline at top, tied by neat blue grid, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 1" (1851) first day of issue circular datestamp on blue folded printed bank notice with manuscript yeardate, to Columbia Pa., vertical file folds clear of stamp and markingsVERY FINE AND DESIRABLE COVER FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE 1851 ISSUE.
In his census in the 1851 Sesquicentennial book, Wilson Hulme records a total of 43 covers used on July 1, 1851, which is the first day they were valid for postage.
With 1974 American First Day Cover Society certificate
3c Plum, Ty. II (11A var). Intense color in the true Plum shade, huge margins all around, tied by perfect strike of large "Slate Lick Pa. Feb. 24" circular datestamp on orange cover to Freyburg Pa.EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT PLUM SHADE ON AN IMMACULATE COVER. A TRUE RARITY IN TERMS OF BOTH CONDITION AND ALSO AVAILABILITY.
Chase states that the Plum shade was produced in early 1857, shortly before the introduction of perforated stamps. Chase compares the shade to an intermediate shade of Scott 280 of the 1894 Issue. Some students believe that no more than 50 examples are known.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail off cover $2,000.00
3c Dull Red, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (11A var). Deep shade, neatly cancelled by "Chicago Ill. May 5, 1857" circular datestampA FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS.
This stamp has unusually complete perforations for the Chicago Perf. With 2005 and 2010 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (12). Enormous margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamp at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of New Orleans circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,350.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only one other shares this desirable grade.
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Enormous margins all around, rich color, unobtrusive strike of cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IN THE FINEST CONDITION POSSIBLE.
The Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). Unfortunately, many were trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,400.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only two others share this grade.
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Recut at top, Position 3R, the so-called Misplaced Relief, showing breaks in lines above each "X", huge margins all around, neat strike "New Orleans La. Jul. 5" circular datestamp, bright shade and crisp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED 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.
When the plate was being entered from the transfer roll (or rolls), three vertical rows were started with the B relief instead of the A relief. These were the first two rows of the left pane and the third row of the right pane. Only the first position in each vertical row is misplaced -- the rest of the sheet was laid out with the A Relief used for the top two rows. Position 3R1, one of the three misplaced relief positions on the plate, also bears the distinction of being one of the eight recut positions and the only position recut on the entire right pane of the plate.
With 1973 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,850.00)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, enormous margins all around which frame the design like a small die proof, deep rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1855 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT CLASSIC STAMP IN ALL RESPECTS -- FRESHNESS OF GUM, SIZE OF MARGINS, COLOR, IMPRESSION AND OVERALL APPEAL.
The prepaid transcontinental rate was raised from 6c to 10c in April 1855, which prompted the Post Office Department to add a 10c value to the current series. Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Company produced one plate of 200 subjects for the imperforate issue, which was also used when perforations were introduced in 1857. Although the subjects were spaced further apart than they had been on the 1c, 3c and 12c plates, there were still variations in the designs. Four design types are recorded for the first plate (Plate 1): Type I with the full bottom shell (from the bottom row only); Type II with the top part of the design nearly complete; Type III with the design at top incomplete; and Type IV with recut lines at top and/or bottom.
Although the wider spacing on the 10c plate provided more room for separation, this stamp has remarkably huge margins all around, each of which goes well beyond the mid-point between stamps.
Ex "Connoisseur", Dr. Morris and Scarsdale. P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $29,400.00). Only one has graded higher to date and this is one of only two examples to achieve this grade.
12c Grayish Black, Part India Paper (17 var). Positions 61-63/71-73/81-83L1, block of nine with part of left sheet margin, original gum unevenly applied (a characteristic of original-gum examples on Part India paper and described on accompanying certificate as "original gum previously hinged"), lightly hinged, two stamps (Positions 71-72L1) appear Mint N.H. but not described as such on accompanying certificate, large margins to barely touched at bottom right, distinctive Grayish Black shade and early proof-like impression on unusually bright paper with soft fibrous texture, Positions 63L and 73L are "double recuts" (only four such double-recut positions exist on Plate 1), light vertical crease affects right stamps (Positions 63/73/83L), faint corner crease (really just a wrinkle) at bottom left (Position 81L), Positions 61-62/71-72L and 82L are completely soundVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON PART INDIA PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCKS OF THIS ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION-WORTHY MULTIPLE.
The 3c and 12c 1851 Issue are both found on Part India paper, which is a hand-made silky paper that varies in thickness within the same sheet. The Neinken 12c 1851-57 book (pp. 61-64) quotes from earlier publications by Ashbrook, Chase and Jaeger, which describe the look and feel of Part India stamps. Referring to a pair (ex Richey) and strip of five (ex Newbury), the 12c Part India stamps are described as "undoubtedly from the very first impressions from the Twelve Cent plate. The engravings are very sharp and resemble die proofs or plate proofs on India. The shades of both these items are of the earliest known, the distinctive grayish." It is also speculated that the Part India stamps "came from 'trial printings' i.e., proof sheets that were afterwards thrown in the regular stock, then gummed and issued to various post offices." Although the 12c Part India paper has been described as "thin" or "very thin", it is actually thicker when gauged on a micrometer. Its "thinness" is better described as "softness", a paper characteristic that enhances the impression, but appears to have been problematic in gumming.
This is probably the block of nine offered in the 1917 Worthington sale (J. C. Morganthau & Co., 131st Sale, Aug. 21-23, 1917, lot 109), where described as "lighter shade, block of 9, o.g., the right hand stamps gum crease." We know of two other 12c Part India blocks, both of four stamps. There are also original-gum blocks of nine, ten and fifteen in the normal Black shade on regular paper.
Ex "J & J Collection. With 2005 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Bottom right half tied by "New-York Ship Sep. 25" (ca. 1853-54) circular datestamp on cover to West Chester Pa., clear strike of red "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" framed handstamp applied in San Francisco, bold "6" due handstamp overstruck by New York datestamp, also crossed out and re-rated "7" due in blue manuscript (5c plus 2c ship fee), some slight edgewear, stamp with negligible small tear at bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1851 12-CENT BISECT IN COMBINATION WITH THE "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" HANDSTAMP AND NEW YORK SHIP-LETTER DATESTAMP. A FASCINATING COVER SHOWING CORRECTED RATING AS AN UNPAID SHIP LETTER.
During the period from 1853 to April 1855, bisected 12c 1851 stamps were used on mail from San Francisco to prepay the 6c over-3,000 miles rate to the East Coast. Upon arrival in New York, the bisects were either accepted or rejected. In this case, the New York office did not accept the bisect, but incorrectly applied the 6c due marking for a letter received from a non-contract vessel addressed to the port of arrival. This was then corrected by applying the New York "Ship" datestamp and 7c rate for a non-contract ship letter to another post office (5c unpaid rate plus 2c ship fee).
Ex Grunin. With 2007 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Upper right diagonal half, even margins just into outer frameline, well-tied across the cut by "New-York Mar. 1" circular datestamp on 1853 folded letter from New York City to Philadelphia, sender wrote addressee's name incorrectly and erased the first lineVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY USE OF A 12-CENT 1851 BISECTED STAMP FROM ONE MAJOR EAST COAST CITY TO ANOTHER, PREPAYING THE DOUBLE 3-CENT DOMESTIC LETTER RATE.
The majority of 12c 1851 bisects are found on transcontinental covers, usually applied in California. Only a small number of intra-East Coast usages are known.
Ex Sheriff and Martin. With 1980, 1986 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Large margins, bright shade, tied across the cut by "San Francisco Cal. 16 Aug." circular datestamp on 1853 folded letter to Boston, sender's ship-name designation "Winfield Scott" at lower left, light vertical file fold well clear of bisectEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BISECT OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON A COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO BOSTON.
Ex Hessel and Kapiloff. With 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Top right diagonal half, large margins, tied across the cut by "San Francisco Cal. Aug. 1" circular datestamp on buff cover to Philadelphia, some edgewearVERY FINE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE BISECT ON COVER.
With 1981 P.F. certificate. Last offered to the market in our 1984 Rarities sale.