1857, 3¢ Dull Red, Type III, o.g., never hinged, remarkably large margins and precise centering with full margins completely around design, rich brilliant color and exceptional freshness, an Extremely Fine to Superb jumbo, the only example to receive this jumbo grade with only three examples higher grading 98; with 2015 P.S.E. Graded certificate (XF-Sup 95J, SMQ $1,200 for grade of 95 and $3,400 for 98). Scott No. 26  $65 for hinged. QUITE CERTAINLY THE FINEST JUMBO-MARGIN NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 3¢ TYPE III ISSUE EXTANT. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ Dull Red, Type III, couple of insignificant pulled perfs at lower left, tied by large "Paid" in grid handstamp on multicolor ad cover for Etna Laboratory manufacturer of fireworks showing patriotic style illustration and fireworks, red "Boston, Ms, Oct 1, 1860" cds and reverse with New Bedford, Ms receiving cds, Extremely Fine, ex-Haas and Piller; with 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 26  Estimate $7,500 - 10,000. ONE OF THE FINEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR EARLY UNITED STATES ADVERTISING COVERS. This is an excellent companion to the other Etna Laboratory cover (ex-Haas) that has a similar design at left, but depicts fireworks at right instead of the balloon. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ Dull Red, Type III, choice centering with centerline margin at right, tied by 5-bar grid in octagonal frame, same cancel used to tie Breckenridge three-quarter portrait and "Equality of State Rights" purple Campaign label, Rickey Mallory & Co. of Cincinnati imprint, postmarked "Montgomery Ala. Oct. 17, 1860" cds (18 days prior to election) on buff cover to Kinsale Va., sender's notation below label "Breck." (Milgram JBK-1) neatly docketed, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, ex-Walcott and Knapp. Milgram No. JBK-1. Scott No. 26  Estimate $3,000 - 4,000. AN OUTSTANDING USAGE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN COVERS IN EXISTENCE. Rickey Mallory & Co. published a wide variety of campaign cartoons, envelopes and labels, their Breckinridge label is very scarce, and this tied example is almost certainly unique -- used in October 1860 at Montgomery, where four months later the seven seceded states would form the new Confederate States government. $0 (Image)