Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — 1857-60 Issue and Reprint
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 99L4, deep rich color on bright paper, lightly cancelled (appears unused at a glance)VERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE Ia.
Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Although Plate 4 was designed with sufficient space to accommodate perforations, the height of the top row and bottom row positions resulted in the perforations often cutting into the design at either top or bottom. This is a very choice sound example.
With 2004 P.F. and 2015 P.S.A.G. certificates (VF 80)
1c Blue, Type II (20). Positions 52-57/62-67/72-77/82-87/92-97R2, block of 30 from right pane of Plate 2, early impression, several double transfers including Position 93R pronounced shift in bust, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and rich color, well-centered, top left stamp has large nick into design, second horizontal row faintly creased, some separationsVERY FINE OVERALL CONDITION. THIS IS THE LARGEST KNOWN ONE-CENT 1857 PERFORATED BLOCK FROM PLATE 2. A SPECTACULAR MULTIPLE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOCKS OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD.
The 1c Plate 2 was made before perforating was considered; therefore, the spaces between the stamps were insufficient to accommodate perforations. The majority of 1c stamps from Plate 2 were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Perforated 1c stamps were issued beginning in July 1857, and Plate 2 (along with Plate 4) was used until replaced by new plates in late 1857.
Plate 2 multiples with original gum are far rarer perforated than in imperforate form. The converse is true for multiples from Plate 4. Although Type II perforated blocks with original gum are abundant from 1861 printings (Plates 11-12), Type II perforated blocks from Plate 2 are exceedingly rare.
At the time of our 1998 Zoellner sale, we determined that this block of 30 was originally joined with the famous 99R2 block (Positions 78-80/88-90/98-100R2) offered in our sale of the William H. Gross multiples (Sale 1200, lot 32). Both blocks were once part of the Caspary collection; another block in the Caspary sale (lot 596) also fits into this large multiple, filling Positions 58-59/68-69R2. There are three or four other blocks (unplated) in the Caspary and West sales that might also be part of the original large multiple.
Ex Caspary, Seymour, Bechtel, Zoellner and Gross. Scott value exceeds $40,000.00 as blocks and pairs.
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa-IIIa/III-IIIa (22-22/21-22). Positions 73-74/83-84R4, block of four comprising three Type IIIa and one Type III (at bottom left), original gum, lightly hinged, a few minor perf separations, slight trace of gum toning, faint horizontal crease along top edge of top stamps, these trivial imperfections are barely noticeable and only the last is noted on most recent certificateVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLE AND EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED ISSUE FROM PLATE FOUR, COMBINING TYPES III AND IIIa.
This block was printed from Plate 4, which originally produced imperforate stamps and was used only briefly after the introduction of perforations in 1857 before being discontinued. Original-gum examples of stamps from Plate 4 are extremely scarce.
This was part of the vertical block of six in the Grunin and Klein collections. After the 1988 Klein sale it was divided into this block and two singles (Positions 63R and 64R).
Ex Grunin, Klein and Hall. With 1991 (as sound) and 2015 P.F. certificates (mentioning faint horizontal crease at top). The Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue lists combination blocks from Plate 4, but does not value them. The Type III-IIIa combination pair and Type IIIa pair have a combined value of $27,350.00
1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Position 67R4, original gum, rich color on crisp paper, choice centering for this difficult issue, some unpunched perfs add white margin around the designVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III.
This stamp was printed from Plate 4, which originally produced imperforate stamps and was used only briefly after the introduction of perforations in 1857 before being discontinued. Original-gum examples of stamps from Plate 4 are extremely scarce. This choice stamp comes from Position 67R4, which is clearly identified as Type III in the Neinken book plating chart.
Ex Wagshal and Przybyl. With 1980 and 2021 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (21). Rich color, face-free strike of circular datestamp, light diagonal crease at bottom leftVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2.
On Plate 2, 198 of the 200 positions were Type II. Position 100R was Type II in the early stage of the plate, but as wear began to weaken the bottom line, it became Type IIIa with a small break at bottom. Positions 89R and 99R on Plate 2 have been the focus of special attention, because of their unusual nature. Ashbrook states: “A study of the double transfers of 89R2 and 99R2 is most interesting, because here in a vertical pair of positions we have two distinct varieties... 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 stamp, 89R2, is a re-entry, but not in the proper sense of this term, because the re-entry on the lower part of this position was an error, as it was not made to correct an existent fault of the original 89R transfer.”
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. However, 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 https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/21-99R2 . Only two unused examples are known--the better known is in a block of nine in our 2019 William H. Gross Multiples sale. 13 used singles are recorded, as are three on covers and two in strips, for a total of 20 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.
Census no. 21(99R2)-CAN-04. Ex Wagshal, Middendorf and Przybyl. With 1986 P.F. certificate
5c Indian Red (28A). Brilliant color, with left interpane selvage with full centerline, wide margins, well-struck New Orleans circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL INTERPANE AND CENTERLINE SELVAGE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT INDIAN RED, GRADED XF-90 BY THE P.F.
Ex Gorham. With 2000 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only one higher than a 90 (at 95) and seven at this grade. These are very small population numbers.
12c Black, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (36c). Positions 83-84L1, deep shade, bold segmented cork cancels, lightly stained, a few short perfs at upper right, right stamp has two small tears at topFINE APPEARANCE. THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE IMPERFORATE BETWEEN IS ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE. ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED.
We record only three examples of this rarity: 1) Positions 83-84L1, lightly stained, perf flaws, two tiny tears, ex Wagshal (Sale 993, lot 343), the pair offered here; 2) Positions 43-44L1 (unverified), light cancel, clipped perfs at right, closed tear and tiny pinholes, 1991 Rarities sale (Sale 737, lot 331); and 3) Positions 83-84L1, ex Ishikawa and Bakwin. The imperforate-between variety was discovered in 1953 and first reported in Mekeel's (Jun. 26,. 1953). All three pairs come from positions in columns 3 and 4 of the left pane and are believed to originated from the same sheet.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Intense shade and impression, exceptional centering with beautifully balanced margins, vivid red grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE ONE, CANCELLED IN RED AND GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 1987 and 2009 P.F. certificates. With 2009, 2014 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (all Superb 98; SMQ $9,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two other stamps.
12c Black, Plate 3 (36B). Essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, grid cancel and trace of red cancel in bottom left cornerEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE PERFORATED 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3, AND IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The most recent scholarship regarding the Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. plates used to print the 12c 1851-57 Issue is clearly articulated by James A. Allen in "The 1851 Imperforate (Scott U.S. #17): Plating Updated and Additional New Findings" (The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective, U.S. Philatelic Classics Society). Traditionally, the 12c plates are identified as Plate 1 (from which all imperforate and some perforated stamps were printed), Plate 2 (evidently never used) and Plate 3 (which produced stamps that were only regularly issued with perforations). It is highly probable that Plate "3" was the first one made in 1851, but it was put aside and not used until 1859. Plate 3 stamps with the centering and wide margins evident in this example are very scarce.
Ex Allen. With 2021 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded one at 98 and none higher.
12c Greenish Black, Reprint (44). Without gum as issued, sharp proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
Only 489 sold. With 2022 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). Scott values this issue in the grade of Fine
24c Blackish Violet, Reprint (45). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1857 REPRINT.
Only 479 sold. With 2022 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). Scott values this issue in the grade of Fine
30c Yellow Orange, Reprint (46). Without gum as issued, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1857 ISSUE REPRINT.
Only 480 sold. With 2022 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). Scott values this in the grade of Fine