1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Vertical and horizontal strips of three, Plate 11, beautifully centered, horizontal strip affixed to back with one stamp partly torn away from opening, natural s.e. with 12¢ black, Plate 3 (36b), stamps tied by bold strikes of "Pittsburgh Pa. Aug. 15, 1861" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Wurttemberg, Germany, red "New York Paid 10 Aug. 24" credit datestamp, red crayon rates, transit and receiving backstamps, Very Fine, a rare franking during the twilight days of the 1857-61 Issue -- the stamps were gradually demonetized beginning on August 17, 1861, in Baltimore, ex-Sevenoaks, with 2001 P.F. certificate stating "the cover missing 2c additional postage which may have fallen off in transit", but we find no physical evidence supporting this opinion. Scott No. 22  Estimate $3,000 - 4,000. $0 (Image)

1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Horizontal strip of three, deep rich Plate 4 color, tied by light strike of Mass. circular datestamp on light pink cover to Yellow Springs O., some staining at top left affects one stamp, Fine, scarce strip on cover. Scott No. 22. $0 (Image)

1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Positions 85-87L4, horizontal strip of three, deep rich color, tied by neat strikes of "Corpus Christi Tex. Aug. 1" circular datestamps on cover to Harrisburg Pa., 1860 docketing at left, barely reduced at left, Fine, a scarce usage. Scott No. 22  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

1857, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Tied by N.Y. carrier datestamp on red and blue Waving Flag Patriotic cover to local street address, couple of blunt perf & tiny cover nick at right, fresh and Very Fine. Scott No. 22  Estimate $200 - 300. $0 (Image)