FINE CENTERING. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2.
Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2).
Guide dots were used to accurately lay out the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).
Plate 2 stamps were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Beginning in July 1857 stamps from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4 were issued with perforations, and Plates 2 and 4 continued to produce stamps through late 1857. Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form; conversely, Plate 4 stamps are rarer imperforate than in perforated form. Perforated 99R2 stamps are of extreme rarity.
Our census, which incorporates the records of noted student Jerome S. Wagshal, the Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records and our own work, is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/21/21.pdf . Only one unused example is known, in a block. Twelve used singles are recorded, as are three on covers and two in strips, for a total of 18 known in any form. Virtually all have faults or are very off-center -- only three off-cover singles and one on cover are confirmed as sound and not all have decent centering.
Ex Neinken and Wagshal
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TYPE.
Type Ia, imperforate and perforated, only comes from 18 positions in the bottom rows of the right and left panes of Plate 4. Due to difficulties in perforating sheets from Plate 4, many examples of Type Ia have perforations cutting into the design at bottom, which destroys the defining characteristic of the type. The example offered here, showing the full bottom design, is very rare.
With 1966 P.F. certificate for cover from which this stamp was removed
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED INTERPANE MARGIN AND CENTERLINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III.
Only six positions along the two adjacent vertical rows of Plate 4 can possibly be Type III; therefore, centerline examples are rare (especially since the selvage was often removed). Accompanied by small plating chart showing the distinctive marks on this position.
Ex Wagshal. With 2011 P.F. certificate
FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE BLOCK OF FOUR FROM PLATE 12, COMBINING TYPES I AND II. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE SELVAGE.
Ex Neinken and Wagshal. With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $8,750.00
VERY GOOD-FINE. THIS IS THE FAMOUS ACKERMAN-NEWBURY-NEINKEN-ISHIKAWA-WAGSHAL BLOCK, THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE FROM PLATE 12. A MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION ITEM.
Plate 12 is remarkable for the numerous misplaced transfers in the left pane, as evidenced by this block of 78. As explained in Neinken (pp. 486-487): "The right pane was evidently transferred first, and by vertical rows. I believe the first three entries were 10, 20 and 30R, followed by pairs of 40, 50 then 60, 70, then 80, 90, and a single transfer of 100 [Note: the use of the bottom relief -- C Relief -- to enter the bottom row, is consistent with Richard Celler's theory of the '10th Row Adjustment' -- see The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective]. This order was followed in vertical rows throughout the right pane and through the 10th, 9th and 8th vertical rows of the left pane. Thus thirteen vertical rows on Plate 12 were transferred in the same order of reliefs as Plates 11, 3, 2 and 1, but after the first three transfers in the seventh vertical rows of the left pane, the old order was abandoned. Instead of pairs of the 'B-C,' the order was reversed, and three pairs of 'C-B' were entered with the last transfer from the regular 'C' in the 10th row. This same order was followed in the sixth and fifth vertical rows but the regular order was restored in the fourth vertical row. The reverse order was used on the third row, the same order as used on the fifth, sixth and seventh. The order used in the next row, or second vertical, was different from any others on the plate, from top to bottom being, A, B, C, B, C, B, C, C, B and C. Thus, instead of having a pair of 'C' reliefs in 82-92, the pair of 'C' occurred in 62-72. The first vertical row was also different from any other vertical row on the plate, with a pair of 'B' reliefs in 71-81 instead of a normal pair of 'B-C.'"
Part of this block is illustrated in the Neinken book (p. 499). Ex Ackerman, Newbury, Neinken, Ishikawa and Wagshal. Scott Retail for various combination blocks and remaining singles is more than $180,000.00.
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE V. DESPITE THIS STAMP'S READY AVAILABILITY, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Despite the abundant supply of Type V stamps, they are extremely difficult to obtain in higher grades. The stamp offered here has phenomenal visual appeal -- bright color, a beautiful clear red grid cancel, wide and balanced margins, and wonderful overall freshness.
Ex Dr. Morris, Dr. Puliafito and Natalee Grace. With 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $675.00 as 95, $2,500.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher and only one other shares this desirable grade.