Sale 1242 — The Gordon Eubanks Collection: United States 1851 to 1856 Imperforate Issue
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-13 October, 2021
Category — One-Cent: Plate Four (Scott 6-8A)
1c Blue, Type Ia (6). Position 100R4, F Relief, huge margins to full including part of sheet margin at right and portion of adjoining stamp at top, deep rich Plate 4 color and impression, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel, exceptional freshnessEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE--ONE OF THE RARITIES FURNISHED BY PLATE 4.
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 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 Caspary. With 1998 and 2003 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Type Ic (6b). Position 91R4, F Relief and one of the most distinct positions of this scarce type on Plate 4, large margins to barely touching bottom left plume, portion of adjoining stamp showing at right, deep rich color, unobtrusive light strike of circular datestamp cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE TYPE Ic FROM THE BOTTOM ROW OF PLATE 4. POSITION 91R FURNISHES ONE OF THE TWO BEST EXAMPLES OF THIS SCARCE TYPE.
Positions 91R and 96R on Plate 4 come from the bottom row and have the full plume at bottom left and partly complete plume at right (a sub-type of Type Ia). These two are the most desirable examples of Type Ic. Other Type Ic positions on the plate are less distinct. Neinken states that Position 91R4, offered here, yields the best example of the rare Type Ic.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Types Ic-Ia (6b-6). Positions 96-97R4, horizontal pair, F Relief, left stamp Type Ic with curl in "C" variety, right stamp Type Ia, large margins to touching plumes at bottom, deep rich color and crisp impression, circular datestamp cancel leaves the key areas of the design at bottom clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A GORGEOUS AND EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 FROM THE BOTTOM ROW OF PLATE 4--CONTAINING TYPE Ia AND ONE OF ONLY TWO TYPE Ic POSITIONS FOUND IN THE BOTTOM ROW.
The identifying characteristic of Type Ic from the bottom row of Plate 4 is similar to that of Type Ia, Scott 6, which has the design complete at bottom and partly complete at top. The difference between the two types is that the bottom right plume on the Type Ic is incomplete. Neinken classifies it as a sub-type of Scott 6 (or 19), and the Scott Catalogue gives it a separate listing (6b). Neinken notes that only eight or nine positions on Plate 4 yield this type. Of these, only two are found on the bottom row of the plate (Positions 91R4 and 96R4). The other six or seven Type Ic positions were located in other rows.
Ex Sheriff and Koppersmith. With 1971 P.F. certificate calling the pair Type Ia (Scott 6) and misidentifying the positions
1c Blue, Types III/IIIa/Ia (8/8A/6). Positions 80/90/100L4, vertical strip of three with combination of three different types, top stamp Type III, middle stamp Type IIIa and bottom stamp the rare Type Ia, huge margins to full with right sheet margin, neat manuscript cancels, tiny tear in right margin of Type Ia stampEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING AND REMARKABLE STRIP OF THREE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM PLATE 4, CONTAINING THREE DIFFERENT TYPES, INCLUDING THE RARE 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, IIIa). This combination strip was described by Neinken as "the finest strip I have ever seen showing a combination of stamps from these three rows".
Illustrated in Neinken (pp. 276-277) and Brookman Vol. I (p. 115). Ex Worthington, Stephen D. Brown, Ishikawa and Cipolla. With clear 1983 P.F. certificate. Scott value $15,000.00 as combination pair of Types IIIa/Ia and single Type III
1c Blue, Type Ic (6b). Position 81R4, E Relief, with curl on Shoulder, huge top margin with portion of adjoining stamp, other sides full to touched at bottom, deep rich Plate 4 color, tied by light strike of "Greenville S.C. Aug. 13" circular datestamp with inverted date on lady's small embossed cover addressed locally, fresh and bright in every respectVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE Ic ON A LADY'S SMALL EMBOSSED DROP-RATE COVER.
This variety is often confused for Scott 6, Type Ia (F Relief), which is complete at bottom. However, this sub-type has the ball and plume at lower right slightly less complete (E Relief). Type Ic stamps from positions other than the bottom row have been widely appreciated by specialists for decades, but they were only added to the Scott Catalogue in 1993.
With 1997 P.S.E. certificate. Signed Ashbrook
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Position 10L4, unused (no gum), huge top right corner interpane margins with centerline, other sides large to clear at upper left, deep rich color, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM A CORNER-MARGIN POSITION IN THE TOP ROW OF PLATE 4.
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). Position 10L4 offered here has a very small break in the bottom outer line, between the "E" and "C" of "Cent". Some specialists argue that this qualifies it as a Type IIIa.
Ex Cowitt and Allan Fox. With 1979 P.F. certificate. Scott value as original gum is $3,250.00
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Positions 1-2R4, horizontal pair, unused (no gum), large to full margins all around, wonderful depth of color, small scissors-cut between stamps at bottomVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE UNUSED PAIR OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE 4.
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 Cowitt and Allan Fox. With 1970 P.F. certificate. Scott does not price this without gum (two original-gum singles are priced at $6,500.00).
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Position 5R4, enormous margins all around including significant portions of adjoining stamps at sides, gorgeous dark shade and proof-like impression, neat strikes of circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP--GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.--IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE EXTANT OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE 4. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT--THE MARGINS ARE HUGE ALL AROUND, THE COLOR AND IMPRESSION ARE INTENSE, THE CANCELLATION IS CLEAR AND THE PAPER IS FRESH.
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).
As an amusing anecdote, this stamp was acquired by Jerry Wagshal from a Christie's sale in the mid-1980s. It was cut from a strip on cover before it was offered in the Christie's sale as a single. After buying the stamp for a record price of nearly $3,000, Mr. Wagshal asked if he could have the cover. It was given to him with a note expressing hope that the price he paid was not indicative of the cover's corner card--the Lunatic Asylum of Dayton (the cover still accompanies).
Ex Wagshal and Merlin. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ from Plate 4)
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Position 8L4, large even margins all around, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp from the top row of Plate 4, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; but probably XF-Superb 95 by current standards), signed Ashbrook
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Position 2R4, huge margins to just barely in at upper right ornament, neatly cancelled by town datestamp, gorgeous Plate 4 color and early impression, Very Fine and choice, Plate 4 Type II stamps only come from the top row where they show full ornaments at top, mirroring the bottom row where the rare Type Ia stamps have full plumes at bottom, ex Hansen, with 1984 and 2002 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Horizontal strip of three from the top row of Plate 4, Ashbrook plating on back as Positions 4-6L4, Wagshal disagreed and plated as Positions 2-4L4, rich color, full margins to barely in, manuscript pen stroke cancels, Very Fine and scarce Type II strip from the top row of Plate 4 and therefore showing the full top ornaments, ex Cowitt and Wagshal, Scott value as three handstamped singles is $2,700.00
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Position 1R4, margins all around, tied by light strike of "Middlebury Vt. Apr. 12" circular datestamp on April 11, 1859 Bank of Middlebury printed payment demand addressed locally, Very Fine, desirable Type II from the top row of Plate 4, Scott value $1,250.00
1c Blue, Type II, Plate 4 (7). Positions 7-9R4, horizontal strip of three, large margins to just in at sides, tied by single partly clear strike of Binghamton N.Y. circular datestamp on buff cover to New York City with Mount Prospect Water Cure, Binghamton corner card, slight surface rubbing between left and middle stamps, still Very Fine and rare, 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 Cowitt, Cipolla and Allan Fox
1c Blue, Type III (8). Position 68R4, original gum, small h.r. at top, full margins to ample with the outer line breaks at top and bottom perfectly visible, intense Plate 4 shadeFRESH AND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE III, WITH CLEAR AND DISTINCT BREAKS IN THE OUTER LINES AT TOP AND BOTTOM. A VERY DIFFICULT CLASSIC ISSUE TO OBTAIN WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND IN SOUND CONDITION.
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, a majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) have small breaks in at least one line. This is the exception.
Ex Cipolla and from our 1990 Rarities sale. With 1976 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Types IIIa/IIIa/III (8A/8A/8). Positions 50/60/70R4, reconstructed vertical strip of three showing "Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS. Phila. New York" portion of imprint, missing only the last two cities and just a bit of "New York" cut into on top stamp, each stamp with a handstamp cancelFINE AND SCARCE RECONSTRUCTION OF A LARGE PART OF THE IMPRINT FOR PLATE 4.
The Neinken book states, "Stamps from Plate 4 showing part of the imprint are very rare." Looking at the layout of Plate 4 (Neinken book, page 263), the imprint position types are as follows: left pane 31/41L Type IIIa, 51L Type IIIa-III, 61L Type III; right pane 40R Type III, 50/60R Type IIIa, 70R Type III. Therefore, only Positions 61L, 40R and 70R4 (offered in this strip) are Type III imprint positions (51L is a "swing" position with a smaller break).
1c Blue, Types III-IIIa (8-8A). Positions 45-46R4, E Relief, horizontal pair with Type III on left and Type IIIa on right, rich color, huge margins to just touched at bottom of right stamp only and including significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, perfect strike of "Malden Mass. Jul. 31" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE AND REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL TYPE III-IIIa COMBINATION PAIR OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT FROM PLATE 4.
The Neinken book lists the left stamp (Position 45) as being either Type III or IIIa, depending on the level of plate wear. The combination of these types from Positions 45-46R4 is extremely rare in any form, but imperforate Plate 4 stamps are much rarer than perforated stamps from this plate.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Types III-IIIa-IIIa (8-8A-8A). Positions 81-83L4, E Relief, large margins all around including huge left sheet margin and significant portion of adjoining stamp at right, the left stamp with wide breaks in top and bottom outer lines, neat strike of "Rock Island Ill. Jun. 25, 1857" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STRIP OF THREE FROM PLATE 4 WITH A COMBINATION OF TYPE III AND TWO TYPE IIIa.
Ex Emerson, Lehman, Neinken and Wagshal. With 2010 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Type III (8). Plate 4, a strong Type III with huge break in bottom line and a formidable break in top line, three huge margins and full at top, intense shade and impression, tied by perfectly clear strike of "Litchfield Ct. Nov. 19, 1858" circular datestamp on lady's small cover to a local addresseeEXTREMELY FINE. A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE III IMPERFORATE ON A DROP-RATE COVER.
Ex Newbury, "European Connoisseur" and Sharrer. With 2016 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Types II, III, IIIa (7, 8, 8A). Right stamp Type III, Position 61L4, large margins including left sheet margin with "ton & Cincinnati" portion of imprint, middle stamp Type II, Position 2L4 with clear break in outer line at bottom, which meets the definition of Type IIIa, huge margins including part of sheet margin at top and adjoining stamp at bottom, left stamp Type IIIa, Position 77L4, large margins to just touched, all stamps tied together by two perfect strikes of red Flag and Flagpole in circle fancy cancel (struck upside down), matching "Newark Valley N.Y. Aug. 20" circular datestamp on buff cover to Waverly N.Y., Type III stamp lifted and hinged in place to show imprint, cover barely reduced at left and with small mended opening nick at lower left cornerVERY FINE. A NOTEWORTHY AND UNIQUE COVER FROM NUMEROUS PERSPECTIVES. PLATE 4 STAMPS WITH ANY PORTION OF THE IMPRINT ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THIS COVER ALSO BEARS THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT 1851 STAMPS FROM PLATE 4--A TYPE II STAMP FROM THE TOP ROW WITH A TYPE IIIa QUALIFYING BREAK IN THE BOTTOM LINE, A TYPE III STAMP FROM AN IMPRINT POSITION, AND TYPE IIIa. ITS PHILATELIC SIGNIFICANCE IS FURTHER ENHANCED BY ONE OF THE FEW PICTORIAL FANCY CANCELLATIONS USED DURING THE 1851 ISSUE ERA--THE PATRIOTIC RED FLAG IN CIRCLE OF NEWARK VALLEY, NEW YORK.
The stamps on this cover include two interesting Plate 4 positions. Position 2L4 (at center) is a top row Type II with the complete design at top, but the break in the bottom outer line also qualifies it as a Type IIIa. Position 61L4 is a Type III position with the lower portion of the imprint in the upper left sheet margin. Either stamp on cover would be a very desirable rarity, but the combination and additional Type IIIa stamp form what is undoubtedly a unique franking.
Newark Valley is partway between Binghamton and Ithaca N.Y. During the stampless period, Newark Valley used the pictorial "Kissing Doves" handstamp, and later (circa 1857) the postmaster used this patriotic fancy cancellation.
Ex Moody, J. F. Rust, Neinken and Wagshal. With 2011 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IIIa (8A). Position 18R4, huge margins all around including parts of adjoining stamps at sides, deep rich color on bright white paper, wide break at top and complete outer line at bottom, two small light pen stroke cancels leave the entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH HUGE MARGINS.
Ex "Tahoe". With 1981 and 2002 P.F. certificates for horizontal strip of three, this being the center stamp. With 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
1c Blue, Type IIIa (8A). Position 90L4, huge right interpane margin with centerline, large top margin and barely in at bottom, tied by "Albany N.Y. Paid" handstamp on folded printed circular for Astronomical Journal dated Cambridge, July 23, 1857, announcing discovery of a new planet the month prior, addressed to Boston Mass., Very Fine, a striking interpane margin example from Plate 4
1c Blue, Type II, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (7 var). Plate 2, deep shade, with full perforations on all four sides, tied by "Chicago Ill. May 29, 1856" year-dated circular datestamp on folded printed Chicago Market Review and Weekly Prices Current (No. 58, dated May 28, 1856, published by P. L. Wells) to E. Armitage in Exeter Ill., the circular contains a report from R. K. Swift, promoter of the Chicago Perfs, single pulled perf at bottom, barely affected from placement at edge of cover, small stain at bottom left corner of coverVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE ONE-CENT CHICAGO PERFORATION. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH A DATE SPECIFIED--MAY 29, 1856--MAKING THIS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED DATE OF USE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE.
The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2-gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer (see lots 182-183 for 3c).
According to the updated census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), approximately 18 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, including five used on covers. These are: 1) Type II, Plate 2 (not plated), tied by Chicago May 29, 1856 datestamp on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Armitage, ex Hackmey and Gross, the cover offered here; 2) Type II, Plate 2 (not plated), "Paid" cancel (no dated postmark), on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Edmonstone & Co., Montreal, Canada, PFC, ex Ishikawa, 1983 Rarities sale, Dr. Martin, Hackmey and Gross (Sale 1211, lot 211); 3) Type II, Position 95L2, tied by grid cancel on P. L. Wells circular to Sheppard & Morgan, NYC, ex Jefferys, currently in the Franklin Institute; 4) Type II, Position 48R2, "Paid" cancel on Lake View Water Cure circular (no date), Ashbrook Vol. II, p. 26, the current whereabouts or state of this cover are unknown; and 5) Plate 2 (unplated) used with strip of three of 3c (11) from Cherry Valley Ill. to Oregon Terr., ex Wagshal (Siegel Sale 994, lot 1140). Summarizing the census data, there are currently five 1c Chicago Perf covers known, all Type II from Plate 2, one of which is part of the Franklin Institute's collection. Of the four in private hands, one has not been seen and is known only from Ashbrook's description. Therefore, only three confirmed covers are in private hands, two of which are May 28, 1856 printed circulars. The Armitage cover offered here is the only 1c Chicago Perf with a dated postmark (May 29, 1856).
See Chronicle 199 (August 2003) for an article documenting the Armitage correspondence. Ex Hackmey and Gross. With 2000 A.P.S. certificate.
1c Blue, Type IV, Rouletted (9 var). Clear roulettes all around which gauge approximately 17, large margins, tied by "New-York Nov. 11" circular datestamp on blue folded prices current to Bamansville, Canada West, Very Fine and scarce on-cover use of the 1c 1851 imperforate with unofficial New York roulettes, ex Cipolla, with 2012 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type II, Unofficial Sewing Machine Perforations (7 var). Showing full sewing machine perfs on all sides, stitch watermark, rich color, bold strike of grid cancel, Very Fine and scarce unofficial perforation on the 1c 1851 Imperforate, ex Hulme, with 1993 and 2009 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Type IV, Rouletted (9 var). Unused (no gum), clear rouletting on three sides, small thin spots at top, Very Fine appearance and scarce, ex Hulme, with 2009 P.F. certificate