1851, 1¢ blue, type Ib. Position 3R1E, neat grid cancel, full well balanced margins, rich plate one early color and a clear crisp impression on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine, exceptionally rare in such choice sound condition, this being one of only three examples to receive this grade with only four grading higher, with 1991 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $17,500).
Scott No. 5A; $7,500.

A WONDERFUL SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 1¢ TYPE 1B FROM POSITION 3R1E.

The type 1b issues were only produced from the early state of plate one. Six positions at the top of the right plate, positions 3R-6R and 8R-9R, furnished all of these issues. Position 3R1E holds a particular interest in the study of double transfers. With the upper left ornament showing a triple entry and additional transfers found at bottom especially in the value tablet. It is quite possible that this doubling of the design was not the result of two re-entries, but that the initial entry was faulty and erased (mostly) and a fresh entry was made. Scott $7,500
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Scott $7,500

1851, 1¢ blue, type II. Wide margins showing portions of adjacent stamps on all sides, beautiful color with light town cancels, a Superb jumbo, with 2018 P.S.A.G. certificate Graded (Gem 100J, SSV $1,850 as 98).
Scott No. 7; $125. Scott $125
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Scott $125

1851, 1¢ blue, type IIIa, double transfer, one inverted. Pos. 81L1E, handsome example of this scarce and desirable plate variety, featuring mostly large margins and beautiful color, tied by blue "Philadelphia Pa. Jan 9" cds on printed 1851 circular for parasols and umbrellas addressed to Chillicothe Oh., Very Fine and beautiful on-cover example of this scarce and desirable plate variety paying the circular rate, signed and identified by Ashbrook on reverse, with 1981 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 8A var.; $1,100 as used off-cover. Scott $1,100 as used off-cover
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Scott $1,100 as used off-cover

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Recut twice at top and once at bottom, neat town cancel, huge margins all around showing portions of adjacent stamps on three sides, bold color and sharp impression, Superb, with 2011 P.S.E. Graded certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $1,350).
Scott No. 9; $135.

A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THIS SCARCE 1852 1¢ TYPE IV RECUT POSITION.

Out of the 199 of 200 positions on plate 1, only four examples were recut twice at top and once at bottom. Scott $135
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Scott $135

1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Position 92L1L, recut once at top, full to large margins including part of adjoining stamps at left and top, vivid dark shade, used with three 3¢ dull red (11A) singles, all stamps tied by two perfect strikes of blue "Troy N.Y. Oct. 9" cds on orange-yellow cover to Stanbridge, Canada East, red "U. States" in scroll cross-border handstamp, red "St. Johns L.C. Oct. 20" transit cds; one 3¢ stamp with light pre-use corner crease, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Vogel, Eubanks.
Scott No. 9; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

A REMARKABLE 1851 ISSUE CROSS-BORDER COVER WITH GREAT EYE APPEAL. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II. Full o.g., four full margins, deep Post Office fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate.
Scott No. 10A; $3,250. Scott $3,250
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Scott $3,250

1852, 3¢ dull red, type I. Full margins to just touching at bottom right, deep rich color, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Orono Me. Oct 2" cds on 1856 cover with "Our Jessie" Fremont portrait (Milgram JF-50) campaign design, addressed to Orrington Me., with original contents; bottom flap tears, one barely extends to front of cover, Very Fine and attractive campaign envelope.
Scott No. 11; Estimate $500 - 750.

Jessie Benton Fremont was the daughter of Senator Thomas Hart Benton and wife of famed explorer John C. Fremont. She did much to promote her husband's exploits and reputation, and she herself was a very popular American figure. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1852, 3¢ dull red, type I. Large margins all around including part of adjacent stamps at top and bottom, deep rich color, tied by neat blue "Baltimore Md., Feb 17" cds on light buff cover with blue "G.H. Reese & Bros. Tea Dealer" embossed cameo illustrated ad cover showing building and horse-drawn carriages to Sandy Spring Md., an Extremely Fine gem.
Scott No. 11; Estimate $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1852, 3¢ dull red, type II. Large margins to touched, manuscript cancelled and tied by blue "Augusta, Ga. '3 Paid' Oct 19" cds on illustrated Barnabas Bates Postage Reform Propaganda cover showing Steamship, Eagle with Shield & Steam Engine, to Washington Ga., cover with ornate imprint of "D. Felt & Hosford, Stationers" on reverse, Very Fine.
Scott No. 11A; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE BATES CHEAP POSTAGE PROPAGANDA USAGE FROM GEORGIA. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1852, 3¢ dull red, type II. Large margins to touching outer frameline, beautiful rich color, tied by blue "Woodstock Vt. Mar 26" cds on gray "Vt. & Boston Telegraph Line" illustrated cover showing Telegraph Lines over Locomotive, Steamboat and Running Pony scene, to Providence R.I., choice and Extremely Fine.
Scott No. 11A; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A GORGEOUS COVER. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1856, 5¢ red brown. Light town cancel, large to huge margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, choice so nice, with 1998 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 12; $675. Scott $675
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Scott $675

1855, 10¢ green, type I. Circular grid cancels, large margins, strong color and crisp impression, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 13; $800. Scott $800
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Scott $800

1855, 10¢ green, type II. Light green town cancel, large to huge margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine to Superb, a wonderful used gem, with 1998 and 2018 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $650).
Scott No. 14; $340. Scott $340
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Scott $340

1855, 10¢ green, type IV. Position 3R1, the so-called "misplaced relief" position, recut at top, large margins all around, brilliant color on bright paper, neat strike of "New Orleans La., Jan 16" cds with month slug inverted, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF 90, SMQ $2,800).
Scott No. 16; $1,600.

A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV, FROM THE ONLY RECUT POSITION ON THE RIGHT PANE OF THE PLATE.

When the plate was being entered from the transfer roll (or rolls), three vertical rows were started with the B relief instead of the A relief. These were the first two rows of the left pane and the third row of the right pane. Only the first position in each vertical row is misplaced - the rest of the plate was laid out with the A relief used for the top two rows. Position 3R1, one of the three misplaced relief positions on the plate, also bears the distinction of being one of eight recut positions and the only position recut on the entire right pane of the plate. Scott $1,600
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Scott $1,600

1855, 10¢ green, type IV. Position 74L1 (recut at top), blue Baltimore, Md. town cancel, ample to large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 16; $1,690. Scott $1,690
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Scott $1,690

1851, 12¢ gray black. Horizontal pair on part India paper, o.g., never hinged, huge margins showing seven adjoining stamps on three sides and sheet margin at left, deeply etched impressions on brilliant paper, exceptionally fresh and Superb pair, with 2018 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates, both Graded (Superb 100J).
Scott No. 17; $17,500 as o.g.

AN EXTRAORDINARY MINT NEVER HINGED PAIR OF THE 12¢ 1851 IMPERFORATE IN EXTRAORDINARY QUALITY.

The postal Act of March 3, 1851, was to provide for relatively inexpensive postage and new graduated postal rates coupled with the issuance of new 1¢, 3¢, and 12¢ stamps. The new rates of July 1851 did not include a basic single rate that would require a 12¢ stamp. The prepaid letter rate of 3¢ per half ounce up to 3,000 miles, or 6¢ beyond, and 1¢ for printed circulars. As such, the 12¢ value could only prepay multiple rates such as four times the 3¢ letter rate for up to 3,000 miles, or double the 6¢ rate for over 3,000 miles. There were no 12¢ rates even in foreign mails. For a time, the stamps were cut in half and accepted as 6¢ on letters from California. The only transatlantic postage rate listed in the 1851 Postal Guide that is a listed multiple of 12¢ is to Great Britain (24¢), which turns out to be the most common use of the stamp.

Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. engraved the plates and printed the 1¢, 3¢ and 12¢ 1851 stamps in time for the July 1 issue date. While official government records reveal that the denominations were distributed to many post offices on or about July 1, 1851, the earliest confirmed usage of the 12¢ value is August 4, 1851. Moreover, while the Post Office had delivered over 230,000 stamps by June 30, 1852, there are only about a dozen uses documented for the entire last six months of 1851. This is in contrast to the 1¢ and 3¢ stamps, for which numerous first day of issue covers are known to exist as well as hundreds or thousands of covers from 1851. The number of dated uses for the 12¢ stamps gradually increased in 1853 and beyond. Eventually, about 800,000 imperforate stamps were to be distributed. The imperforate 12¢ stamps were in use until mid-1857, when perforations were introduced. Plate 1 was used to print 12¢ stamps until Plate 3 was put into use in 1860, the latter only used for the perforate issue. Scott $17,500 as o.g.
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Scott $17,500 as o.g.

1851, 12¢ gray black. Deep blue town cancels, large to huge margins showing portions of adjacent stamps on three sides, deep color and razor sharp impression, Extremely Fine and choice, a stunning gem, ex-Saadi, with 1981 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 17; $265. Scott $265
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Scott $265

1851, 12¢ gray black. Horizontal pair, red town and grid cancels, large to mostly huge margins, intensely deep color, an Extremely Fine gem, a wonderful pair bearing complimentary color cancellations, with 2012 P.S.E. and 2018 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 17; $575. Scott $575
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Scott $575

1851, 12¢ gray black. Positions 47-48L1, horizontal pair, central New Orleans, La. town cancel, large to mostly huge margins showing portions of adjacent stamps on all sides, strong bold color, Superb, a magnificent multiple, with 1981 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 17; $575. Scott $575
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Scott $575

1851, 12¢ gray black. Full to large margins, used with 10¢ green, type III (15), large margins, both tied by bold strike of "Kankakee Depot Ill. Aug 26" cds on buff 1856 cover to Eghezee, Belgium, red "New-York Am. Pkt. Aug. 30" exchange datestamp also ties stamps, bold "U.S. PKT." handstamp, carried on the Collins Line Baltic departing New York Aug. 30th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 11th, framed Belgian Ostend exchange office accountancy handstamp at center, red and black manuscript ratings, reverse with "Angleterre par Ambt. Ouest, 12 Sept. 1856" transit and red Eghezee (9.13.1856) receiving cds; some edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Baker, Grunin, LeBow, Hackmey and Gross, with 2005 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 17; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

A RARE COMBINATION OF THE 10¢ AND 12¢ 1851-55 ISSUES ON COVER FROM ILLINOIS TO BELGIUM.

Illustrated in Baker's U.S. Classics on p. 282. Cover is 1¢ convenience overpaid for the 21¢ British Open Mail rate to Belgium by American packet. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000