1882 5c gray brown, without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, with 1957 and 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificates, the latter graded "XF-S95". Only 18 examples have been recorded (Siegel Census 205C-UNC-17), this certainly ranking among the finest, if not the finest. This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in The Chronicle, February 1992. His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Assistant Postmaster General's office, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield, ex-Caspary (as block of four, this is a bottom right example) (SMQ $120,000) (Scott catalogue value for Graded XF-SUP95) cat. $100000 (Cat No. 205C) (Image)

Cat. $100000, Est.$40,000