The Natalee Grace Collection of Used United States Stamps, Part One continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. QUITE PROBABLY THE FINEST OFF-COVER SINGLE OF SCOTT NUMBER 5 IN EXISTENCE, AND ONE OF ONLY A FEW SOUND EXAMPLES. POSITION 7R1E -- THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY -- IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I). ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BLUE RICHMOND CIRCULAR DATESTAMP. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE RAREST AND MOST DESIRABLE CLASSIC IMPERFORATE UNITED STATES STAMP.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal contains 90 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There has been one addition to the Wagshal census, and there are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.

Because of the significance attached to the outer portions of the 1c 1851 design, rare types that have been carefully cut apart, so as not to impinge on any part of the design, are extremely desirable. The narrow spacing between stamps in the sheet and the users' indifference to the outlying ornamentation during separation are factors that contributed to the great rarity of four-margin copies. The example offered here comes from the "Warner strip" of Positions 7-9R1E, which was cut apart with a view towards preserving the margins of this stamp. Examples of Position 7R1E (Scott 5) with large right and bottom margins, where there was very little space between it and the adjoining stamps, are true rarities. In fact, using the census data, it is clear that this stamp is among the two or three finest sound examples known.

Wagshal Census No. 5-CAN-047. Ex Caspary, Twigg-Smith, Hinrichs and Scarsdale (where it realized $375,000 hammer). With 1976, 2001 and 2007 P.F. certificates. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR COMBINATION OF CONDITION, COLOR AND RARITY. POSITIONS 6R AND 8R FURNISHED THE BEST TYPE Ib EXAMPLES, SHOWING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP AND NEARLY COMPLETE DESIGN AT BOTTOM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS TYPE IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp and does not have a perforated counterpart. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib -- Positions 3-6R and 8-9R -- distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.

All Type Ib stamps are very scarce, and the two best examples (6R and 8R) are rare. These top-row positions usually have an ample top margin, but frequently the margins are close or cutting into the sides or bottom. A Type Ib with large margins all around is a great rarity, particularly in sound condition.

Ex Zoellner. With 1987 P.F. certificate for pair from which this single originates and 2009 P.F. certificate as single. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- IT HAS BRIGHT PAPER, DEEP RICH COLOR, A PROOF-LIKE IMPRESSION, AND A BEAUTIFUL CANCELLATION WHICH ALLOWS THE TYPE CHARACTERISTICS TO BE CLEARLY SEEN. A STAMP FOR THE TRUE CONNOISSEUR.

Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The extremely rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).

Perforated stamps were introduced in July 1857 (EDU for perforated stamps is July 26, 1857, and the EDU for perforated stamps from Plate 4 is Aug. 1). The rare imperforate Type Ia offered here was used during the last week before perforated stamps were introduced at post offices.

Ex Dr. Puliafito and offered to the market for the first time in over a decade. With 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $27,500.00). (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ic IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP HAS EVERY QUALITY ONE COULD ASK FOR -- LARGE BALANCED MARGINS, BRIGHT PAPER, RICH COLOR AND A PERFECTLY-STRUCK CANCEL WHICH LEAVES THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS CLEARLY VISIBLE. A TRUE RARITY.

This variety is often confused for Scott 6, Type Ia, which is complete at bottom. However, this sub-type has the ball and plume at lower right slightly less complete. This variety has been widely recognized by experts for decades, but was only added to Scott Catalogue in 1993.

This stamp is far scarcer than its Scott Catalogue value would suggest, especially with four margins in sound condition. Power Search failed to find its equal. In fact, we have offered only seven unduplicated examples since 1997, two of which are on cover and one of which is in a pair with another type. It is likely that the paucity of copies trading hands has resulted in the Scott Catalogue value not being properly updated.

Ex Kharasch and Chapin. Illustrated in Volume I of Ashbrook's 1c book on p. 243. Illustrated in Brookman on p. 118. With 1971 and 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II WITH THE PLATE NUMBER FROM PLATE 2.

Collectors who want the finest or most unusual examples of the classic imperforate issues are often stymied by common stamps, such as Scott No. 7, because it is difficult to find one example that stands apart from the rest. One way is to find a copy showing parts of all surrounding stamps, which is usually "made" by cutting out a single from a large multiple. Another approach, which is more difficult, is to find the stamp from either a corner-margin position or with part of the imprint or plate number.

The rarity of sound, four-margin copies increases exponentially when restricted to corner-margin or imprint examples. Imprints are found along eight positions on the 1c 1851-57 plates (four at left and four at right), and there are four corners of the full plate of 200 (plus the interior gutter positions). Many stamps from those positions were trimmed close to the design. The plate number is found on only two positions, and the number is almost never encountered on surviving stamps.

Ex Col. Edward H. R. Green. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THE MARGINS ARE HUGE, THE BREAKS ARE WIDE, THE CANCEL IS CLEAR BUT NOT HEAVY AND THE PAPER IS FRESH.

Type III is defined as having breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, the majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. This stamp is notable for its wide breaks at both top and bottom.

Ex Zoellner. With 1987 and 1998 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $10,500.00). Only three have graded higher to date. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE III. THIS TYPE IS EXTREMELY RARE WITH THE IMPRINT. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND EXAMPLE OF TYPE III SHOWING THE IMPRINT WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS. APART FROM THE IMPRINT, THIS IS ALSO ONE OF THE FINEST TYPE III STAMPS IN EXISTENCE, BY VIRTUE OF ITS HUGE BALANCED MARGINS, FACE-FREE CANCEL AND WONDERFUL COLOR AND IMPRESSION.

The Neinken book states, "Stamps from Plate 4 showing part of the imprint are very rare." Looking at the layout of Plate 4 (Neinken book, page 263), the imprint position types are as follows: left pane 31/41L Type IIIa, 51L Type IIIa-III, 61L Type III, right pane 40R Type III, 50/60R Type IIIa, 70R Type III. Therefore, only Positions 61L, 40R and 70R4 are Type III imprint positions (51L is a "swing" position with a smaller break).

Ex Vogel. With 2011 P.F. certificate as a pair with Type IIIa. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2. THIS POSITION PRODUCED THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III, WITH THE WIDEST BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.

Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, a majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2. According to the Neinken book, "The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry, that was short transferred both at top and bottom, over an original entry that had been erased... The reason that 99R2 is the finest example of Type III is because of its very short transfer at top and at bottom, giving us the wide breaks in these lines." (p. 184).

A review using Power Search plus a search of older auction catalogues reveals that this position is extremely difficult to find with four margins and in sound condition.

Ex Floyd. With 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE FEW EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE 4 SHOWING ANY PART OF THE IMPRINT.

The Neinken book states "Stamps from Plate 4 showing part of the imprint are rare." A review with Power Search shows we have offered three unused and three used since keeping computerized records. This is by far the finest of the used copies.

Ex Vogel. With 2011 P.F. certificate. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE ONE EARLY.

Type IIIa is defined as having a break in outer lines at either top or bottom. The example offered here, which clearly shows the bottom line complete and top line with wide break, is a superb example of the type.

Ex Drucker and Scarsdale. With 1983 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com