1857, 3¢ dull red, type I, town cancel, exceptional centering for this notoriously difficult issue, strong bright color, Extremely Fine, rarely found so choice; with 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 25  $125. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ dull red, type III, o.g., never hinged, strong color, perfs a bit blunted at right, Very Fine; with 2011 P.S.E. Graded certificate (VF 80, SMQ $185). Scott No. 26  $65 for o.g. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ dull red, type III, scissor separated with intact perfs at sides and s.e. at bottom, tied by "Hartford Ct., Mar 17, 1859" cds on Charter Oak Life Insurance Co. blue illustrated cameo corner card cover to Wells River Vt.; cover barely reduced at right, Very Fine, ex Starnes. Scott No. 26  Estimate $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ dull red, type III, double transfer and line through "Postage" and "Three Cents", position 87R15, strong color and impression, tied by "Paid" in circle handstamp on fresh cover to Erving, Mass., red "Boston, Ms., Dec 22, 1858" cds; partial backflap and stamp with slight gum stains in left margin, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare on cover usage of this elusive double transfer variety; with 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 26; $2,500 off cover  Estimate $500 - 750. $0 (Image)

1857, 3¢ dull red, type III, single stamp divided into vignette and four corners, vignette centrally located on cover with red and blue patriotic bordered backflaps and eagle & shield embossed design, to North Eaton, O. with vignette canceled by grid and matching "Jacksonville, N.Y., Dec 27" cds alongside; small cover tear at bottom, Very Fine. Scott No. 26  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)