1851, 1¢ blue, type II, strip of three, "B" relief from Plate I early, large margins except slightly in at bottom, tied by three strikes of small Boston "Paid" circular grid cancels on blue folded 1851 letter to Providence R.I., red "Boston '3cts' 26 Sep" cds, Very Fine and scarce use of small Boston paid on the 1¢ value; signed by Ashbrook on reverse, with 2013 Weiss certificate. Scott Nos. 7  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type II, position 43L4, New York town cancel, ample to mostly large oversized margins, deep bold color, Extremely Fine, choice so large; with 2011 P.S.E. Graded certificate (XF 90). Scott No. 7  $1,000. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type II, large to mostly huge margins showing parts of stamps at top, right and bottom, beautiful color, cancelled by circular grid cancel, choice and Extremely Fine to Superb, SMQ $1,350; with 2011 P.S.E. certificate, graded XF-Superb 95J. Scott No. 7  $145. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type II, horizontal pair, circular "Paid" cancels, full margins, deep color and crisp impression, Very Fine and choice. Scott No. 7  $310. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type II, Plate 3, bottom margin single, o.g., lightly hinged, full bottom sheet margin with huge margins around encompassing portions of adjacent stamps at top and left, rich bold color and sharp detail impression, a Superb jumbo gem, awarded by the Philatelic Foundation the highest grade attainable; with 2011 P.F. Graded certificate (Sup Gem 100J). Scott No. 7  $9,000. A PHENOMENAL MINT ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE VERY SCARCE 1856 1¢ TYPE II IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE 3. WITHOUT QUESTION, THE FINEST MINT EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE. The 1¢ stamps from Plate 3 where produced in the early spring of 1856, likely due to the compulsory prepayment of postage that was introduced after April 1st of 1855 and an increased demand for the 1¢ value. Also Plate 2, that was in production at the time, had a large plate flaw and there may have been concerns that the plate would deteriorate to a point that it would have to be withdrawn. There is no evidence why Plate 3 had a short life, but it assumed that due to numerous surface cracks developing during it's use that this was the main reason that the plate was deemed unfit for use. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type III, plate 4, light neat town cancels, large even margins, gorgeous rich deep color and detailed impression clearly showing the characteristic frameline breaks at top and bottom, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex Tahoe; with 2012 P.S.E. Graded certificate (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $8,500). Scott No. 8  $2,250. A MAGNIFICENT LARGE MARGIN USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 1¢ TYPE III ISSUE. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type IIIa, plate 4, black town and red octagon transit cancels, rich dark plate 4 color and sharp impression, ample to large margins, Extremely Fine and attractive; with 2014 P.S.E. Graded certificate (XF 90, SMQ $2,500 for the more common plate 1E). Scott No. 8A  $1,200. $0 (Image)

1851, 1¢ blue, type IIIa, left margin single, position 51L1E clearly showing frameline break at top, clear to ample margin all around, bright plate one early color, tied by "New York, Oct 9" four bar slug cds on folded circular rate sheet to Philadelphia, Pa., Extremely Fine, ex Nienken; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott Nos. 8A; $1,000  Estimate $400 - 600. $0 (Image)