The Merlin Collection of Superb Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I. A RARE STAMP IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

The defining characteristic of Type I is that the entire design is printed, including the scrolls and plumes at bottom. Among the plates used to print imperforate stamps, only one position out of 1,000 can claim that honor (Position 7R1E, Scott No. 5). Type I perforated stamps are only known from certain positions on Plate 12. Due to the narrow spacing between perforations and difficulties of production, this issue is usually found with part of the design cut off by the perforations. The example offered here, with rich color, a clear cancel and with the design characteristics clearly visible, is a true condition rarity.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $5,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and six others share it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE Ia. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST DESIRABLE TYPES OF THE ISSUE.

Type Ia stamps were produced from 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. After perforations were introduced in mid-1857, sheets on hand printed from Plates 1 Late and 2 were fed through the new perforating machine, but the narrow spacing between stamps made perforating difficult to accomplish without cutting into the designs. Plate 4 was produced in early 1857 when the introduction of perforations was anticipated, thus, it was entered from a new six-relief transfer roll, and the spaces between stamps were enlarged to allow for perforations. Some Plate 4 sheets were issued in imperforate form (April to June 1857), while the greater portion was issued perforated beginning in July 1857, along with perforated sheets from Plates 1L and 2.

Plate 4's most distinctive feature is that the top row (Positions 1-10L and 1-10R) was entered with the designs complete at top (Type II) and the bottom row (Positions 91-100L and 91-100R) was entered with designs complete or nearly complete at bottom (Types Ia and Ic). Although the plate layout provided sufficient space for perforations, the height of the top-row and bottom-row designs was larger than others in the sheet, which resulted in perforations cutting into either the top or bottom rows, depending on which direction the sheet was fed into the perforator. Type Ia and Ic stamps from the bottom row are almost always cut into at bottom, an unfortunate situation for collectors because the bottom part of the design is what makes Type Ia and Ic stamps desirable.

Ex Sheriff (on cover) and Vineyard. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $35,600.00). Only three have graded higher and only two others have equaled this grade (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on a portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the breaks in both the bottom and top lines are clearly visible.

From our 2004 Rarities sale (as a pair). With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $9,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

Plates 11 and 12 were probably made in June 1860, with less than six months left in Toppan, Carpenter's contract. The earliest known use from either plate is January 1861, a relatively short time before the stamps were demonetized. As illustrations of stamps from Plates 11 and 12 in the Neinken book show, the centering and impressions of stamps from these plates was rather poor ("Poor perforating was the rule rather than the exception" -- Neinken book, p. 473). The stamp offered here, with bright color, balanced margins and a light cancel, is truly remarkable.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,500.00). Only two have graded higher (both 95J and offered in our recent Natalee Grace and Kirke sales). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE IV WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Most examples of this issue have perforations either touching or cutting into the recut lines. The example offered here, with intact recut lines at top and bottom, is the rare exception to that rule.

With 1990 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $7,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it (one offered in the Kirke sale). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 3-CENT ROSE TYPE I WITHOUT RECUT INNER LINES.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $2,300.00). Remarkably, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only two XF-Superb 95 and one Superb 98 for the 3c Type I perforated. (Image)

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