The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II. THE RARITY OF THIS TYPE IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY COLLECTORS OF HIGH-QUALITY STAMPS. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. IT IS ALSO THE ONLY GRADED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.

P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $5,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in any category (one used copy shares this grade). The next-highest grade for an unused copy is a 90. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 3-CENT DULL RED TYPE IV, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

Scott 26A, which is the only Type IV 3c, is defined as having the outer lines at both top and bottom extending only up to the edge of the design. It is often difficult to identify this type outside of multiples due to the narrow spacing of the perforations. The stamp offered here, with wide margins all around, clearly shows the characteristics of the type.

P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $2,200.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BROWN 1857 ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.

Due to the narrow spacing between subjects on the first 5c 1856 plate, many of the stamps have the outer projections touched or cut into by the perforations. A review of our computerized records shows that we have offered only ten other original-gum examples of this stamp since 1994. Of these, perhaps two would rate the grade of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. The example offered here, with full original gum, deep rich color, full perforations and with balanced margins, is a true condition rarity.

Ex Scarsdale and Hoffman. P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, VF 80, SMQ $4,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE IN ANY CATEGORY. THE 2009 SCOTT SPECIALIZED HAS JUST ELEVATED THE PLATE 3 STAMP TO A MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBER.

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 (Scott 36B) are characterized primarily by uneven or broken outer framelines of the design. The subjects on Plate 1, which produced Scott Nos. 17 and 36, have even framelines that were extensively recut. Original-gum Plate 3 stamps with the centering and wide margins evident in this example are very scarce.

Ex Whitman. P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, Superb 98, SMQ $6,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded to Scott 36B in any category (Used, NG/RG/POG or OG). A note from master grader Dr. William Litle confirms that "This is the first 98 of any kind for 36b." (Image)

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