The William H. Gross Collection: United States 1847 First Issue continued...

5¢ Red Brown (1), block of four, original gum, mostly full to large margins, clear at top right, dark shade and sharp early impression, top right stamp with recut left frameline, small repair at top left causing some light staining, light horizontal creases

Very Fine appearance. A rare original-gum block of four of the 5¢ 1847 Issue and an important plate variety.

As this block shows, the left frameline was weakly transferred in a number of entries (level with Franklin's eyes) and, as the plate wore, a break formed in the line. One or more subjects on the plate--in this case, the stamp at upper right--were recut along the left frameline. This recut position stands in contrast with the upper left stamp, which has a broken line, and the two stamps at bottom, which have well-defined lines.

Ex Jerome S. Wagshal. With 1989 and 2010 P.F. certificates. Scott value $50,000.00 as a normal block with original gum. (Image)

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10¢ Black (2), typically of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson the gum is thinly applied, but it covers nearly the entire surface (described on accompanying certificate as "part original gum"), large and beautifully proportioned margins, intense shade, couple tiny fiber inclusions and small spot of extraneous printer's ink at top left

Extremely Fine. The 10c 1847 Issue is very rare in original-gum condition and especially desirable with large margins.

With 2020 P.F. certificate. Scott value $35,000.00. (Image)

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10¢ Black, Double Transfer Type A (2-A), Position 1R, original gum, typically of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson the gum is thinly applied, but it covers the entire surface (described on accompanying certificate as "part original gum"), full to large margins, intense shade and impression clearly showing the double transfer lines in top and bottom portions of design to a much greater degree of clarity than usual--particularly in the right "X" and lettering at top, unusually fresh and completely sound

Extremely Fine. One of the few sound examples of the 10¢ 1847 with any amount of original gum. This is one of two recorded unused examples of the 10¢ 1847 Issue with the prominent Type A double transfer. Without question, one of the most important and outstanding single stamps of the First United States General Issue.

This extraordinary stamp was described in the 1956 sale of the Alfred H. Caspary collection (Sale 2, lot 124) as "showing more details of the doubling and all clear and sharp." In concordance with our observation, the eminent expert Herbert J. Bloch also described the gum as "Full o.g." (and he mentioned a few toned specks present on the gum, which do not affect the paper). The Scott value for a 10¢ 1847 in 1956 was $250.00 (without premium for the double transfer variety), and this stamp sold for twice the Scott value at $500 hammer. The current Scott value of $50,000.00 reflects the significant premium for the Type A Double transfer versus a regular unused copy with original gum (priced at $35,000.00).

Ex Alfred H. Caspary. With 2002 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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