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

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT COPY OF THE 5-CENT 1856 WITH UNUSUALLY WIDE MARGINS ON ALL SIDES. ONLY TWO ARE KNOWN FROM THIS POSITION.

The plate used to print the 5c 1856 imperforate and its Type I perforated counterparts has never been fully reconstructed, due to the lack of multiples or significant plating marks. However, 5c stamps with imprints or corner sheet margins can be reliably plated. We record only thirteen copies showing any portion of the imprint. Of these thirteen, eight have margins either touching or cutting into the design.

The grid on this stamp is an unusual cancellation for the issue, which is typically cancelled by the New Orleans datestamp. The grid cancel on the stamp is from New York City and has the distinctive "hole" at the center, where the nail or screw fastened the cancel to the hand-held device.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE CORNER-MARGIN COPY OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IMPERFORATE.

The 10c Type I stamps only come from the 20 bottom-row positions of Plate 1. One would expect to find more copies with the bottom sheet margin intact, but this is rarely the case. When the sheet margin is present, it usually has a corner crease or handling flaw. The example offered here, with large corner margins and in completely sound condition, is a spectacular exception to the rule.

With 2000 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE II. THIS IS THE ONLY TOP LEFT CORNER POSITION TO YIELD A TYPE II STAMP.

The first 10c plate of 200 (left and right panes of 100) was laid down using a three-subject transfer roll with relief types A, B and C. The C Relief was used only for the bottom row (all Type I design). The A Relief (Type II design) was used to enter the entire second row, and the B Relief (Type III design) was used for the third row. This A/B alternating relief pattern was followed consistently for the fourth through ninth rows. The top row was entered with the A Relief, except for three positions: Positions 1 and 2 in the left pane, and Position 3 in the right pane. These misplaced reliefs” are B Reliefs, and Positions 1L and 2L are Type III designs, while Position 3R was recut (Type IV). Therefore, top left corner-margin copies are either Type III (Position 1L) or Type II (Position 1R), and top right corner stamps are always Type II. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST KNOWN 10-CENT 1855 PLATE NUMBER SINGLE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OFF-COVER 1851-56 ISSUE ITEMS IN EXISTENCE.

Plate 1 was the only plate used for imperforate 10c stamps issued in 1855 and 1856. It was also used for all 1857 perforated stamps until Plate 2 was created, which produced Type V perforated stamps exclusively (Scott 35).

Examples of classic imperforate stamps with intact sheet margins are rare, since the excess margin was normally trimmed off during distribution and use. Stamps showing any part of the imprint are much rarer, and those with the plate number intact are exponentially rarer.

Ex Emerson, Newbury, Neinken, Wall, Mason, Koppersmith, Sevenoaks and Hinrichs. With 1971 and 2004 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE TYPE IV 10-CENT 1855 ISSUE FROM THE MISPLACED RELIEF POSITION -- THE ONLY RECUT POSITION ON THE RIGHT PANE OF THE PLATE. A STUNNING STAMP IN TERMS OF MARGINS, COLOR, CANCEL AND FRESHNESS OF PAPER.

The first 10c plate of 200 (left and right panes of 100) was laid down using a three-subject transfer roll with relief types A, B and C. The C Relief was used only for the bottom row (all Type I design). The A Relief (Type II design) was used to enter the entire second row, and the B Relief (Type III design) was used for the third row. This A/B alternating relief pattern was followed consistently for the fourth through ninth rows. The top row was entered with the A Relief, except for three positions: Positions 1 and 2 in the left pane, and Position 3 in the right pane. These misplaced reliefs” are B Reliefs, and Positions 1L and 2L are Type III designs, while Position 3R was recut (Type IV).

Position 3R1, one of the three misplaced relief positions on the plate, is also one of eight recut (Type IV) positions and the only recut position on the entire right pane of the plate.

With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $5,850.00). Only two have graded higher to date, and we believe neither comes from this interesting position. (Image)

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