1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. vertical strip of five, positions 5/45R1L, mostly ample margins, slightly in at top and bottom, deep rich color and clear impression, tied by bold strikes of grid cancel on 1855 folded letter to Turin, Italy with red "New Orleans La. Apr. 30" cds, markings include red "New-York Br. Pkt. May 8" transit, faint red French transit also ties strip, manuscript "17" rate, transit and receiving backstamps, file fold, small hole at bottom left, still Very Fine, a very scarce use of the 1¢ 1851 to pay 5¢ shore-to-ship rate on mail to Italy -- the few other strips known to us are used on covers to France. Scott No. 9  Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. (position. 5R1L) in combination with 3¢ dull red + 10¢ green combination pair type III-IV on reverse of 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Germany, tied by light strikes of "Wabash Ill. Apr. 14" (1857) datestamps, markings include rare red "N. York 8 U.S. Pkt. Paid Apr. 18" credit datestamp, blue Bremen transit and German receiving backstamps, this cover comes from a new correspondence and shows some wrinkles and wear, still a Fine and remarkable usage. Scott No. 9+11+15+16  Estimate $750 - 1,000. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Recut once at top and bottom, tied by grid cancel paying the carrier fee on cover to St. Paul, Minn., in combination with 1851, 3¢ dull red (top left corner nick) tied by "Philadelphia, Pa., Jun 13" cds, 1857 docketing at left, Very Fine, a choice and rare usage, in 1856 the supply of 1¢ eagle carrier stamps was exhausted and for the first time the regular 1¢ postage stamps was used for the carrier fee at the Philadelphia post office, ex Johnstone; with 2003 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 9+11  Estimate $400 - 600. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Horizontal strip of three, margins to in, tied by blue grids, matching "Evansville Ind. May 9" circular datestamp on buff cover to Merom Ind., clear strike of red "Forwarded by O'Riley & Mitchell Evansville Ind." handstamp, some wear including. small piece out at bottom, otherwise Fine, scarce usage. Scott No. 9  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Horizontal strip of 3 (large margins all around except just shaving outer frameline at top right) tied by clear Milwaukee, Wis. postmarks on a buff cover to Kentucky, Very Fine, a beauty. Scott No. 9  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Light town cancel, clear to large margins, gorgeous rich color and sharp impression, Very Fine and choice; with 1983 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 9  $130. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Light blue grid cancel (trivial tiny manuscript ink spots mention on certificate), ample to large margins, bright color, Extremely Fine; with 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 9  $137. $0 (Image)

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. 15 singles, 8 pairs and 2 strips of three from the right pane of plate 1 late, mostly town and grid cancels, one single with P.F. certificate, mixed condition, Fine overall. Scott No. 9  $4,440. $0 (Image)