A European Connoisseur's Collection of U.S. Classic Issues continued...

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A WONDERFUL SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE FROM THE LEGENDARY 1956 CASPARY SALE, WHERE IT WAS APTLY DESCRIBED AS "BEAUTIFUL."

This stamp is accompanied by the piece from which it was removed to verify its perfect condition. In the 1956 Caspary sale, this was the second used Scott 6 offered, and it realized $400 against its then-current catalogue value of $250.

Ex Caspary (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II WITH REMARKABLY LARGE MARGINS AND EXTRAORDINARY FRESHNESS.

With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS EXTRAORDINARY STAMP HAS ACHIEVED THE EXALTED GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM P.S.E. AND RANKS AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMPS WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.

The Siegel firm has sold the lion's share of 1c 1851 Issue collections over the past several years, including the Wagshal collection (which contained the entire Neinken holding) and the Raymond Vogel collection. We have sold two of the three stamps graded Gem 100 Jumbo: one from Plate 1 Early and the other from Plate 2, each of which was cut from multiples to show adjoining stamps at the sides. The stamp offered here is the only Gem 100 we have offered among the four certified by P.S.E. What makes this stamp so remarkable is that it comes from Position 10R2, the corner of the plate, and it was not "created" from a strip. The top and right margins are from the corner of the sheet, where there are no adjoining stamps. It shows small parts of the adjoining positions, 9R at left and 20R below. For many collectors, the appearance of this stamp, with its huge balanced "white" margins, face-free cancel and brilliant color, will be more aesthetically pleasing than the appearance of the 100 Jumbo stamps with surrounding positions on all sides.

With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $4,200.00). The P.S.E. Population Reports lists two Gem 100J and four Gem 100 used stamps for Scott 7. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM CENTERLINE-MARGIN PAIR OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM PLATE ONE EARLY. TRULY RARE IN THIS MAGNIFICENT QUALITY.

Ex Emerson. Acquired by the European Connoisseur in a 1964 H. R. Harmer sale for $360. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE ONE EARLY, CONTAINING POSITION 91L1E, ONE OF THE COVETED INVERTED TRANSFER POSITIONS ON PLATE ONE.

The inverted transfers on Positions 71L, 81L and 91L1E were made after the top row of the right pane of Plate 1 Early was entered from the Type I single-relief transfer roll. According to Richard Celler's theory (see Siegel Encyclopedia at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/pdf/1c1851.pdf ), the three inverted transfers were made from a Type I design 3-relief transfer roll as a sort of trial after the top row entries had been made and the plate was turned around 180 degrees. When another plate ("Plate 0") had to be discarded, the siderographer returned to Plate 1 and erased the three inverted transfers before completing the plate with entries surrounding 3R to 10R. Positions 71L and 81L are double transfers. Position 91L was entered a total of three times, so it is a triple transfer, one inverted. When the plate was reworked in 1852, 71L and 81L were re-entered (but not 91L), making them all triple transfers, one inverted.

Ex Newbury Part II (Siegel Sale 244, lot 126), where acquired by the European Connoisseur for $270 in 1961 (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMP IS A VERY DESIRABLE "WIDE BREAKS" POSITION FROM PLATE 4 AND, WITH ITS LARGE MARGINS AND UNUSUALLY LIGHT CANCELLATION, DESERVES THE ATTENTION OF THE MOST DISCRIMINATING COLLECTOR.

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) have small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2, which has the widest breaks of any Type III position, due to the short transfer during plate entry.

The example of the 1c 1851 Type III offered here is significant for several reasons. The breaks at top and bottom are so wide that they actually approach those of Position 99R2. The large margins and light cancellation also allow for easy observation of the type characteristics. All factors considered -- design, impression, margins and cancel -- this stamp is easily one of the finest in existence. The P.S.E. grade of XF 90 does not do it justice, and if one uses Power Search to compare this stamp to the others graded 90, it will be obvious that this stamp "blows them away."

Ex Newbury. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $6,000.00). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE III STAMP WITH WIDE BREAKS IN LINES AT TOP AND BOTTOM AND A DISTINCTIVE "PAID" CANCEL.

Ex Caspary. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,250.00). Considering the large margins and exceptional eye appeal of this stamp, as well as the fact that the 1956 Caspary catalogue described it as "Extremely Fine," we feel the P.S.E. was a bit stingy with this grade (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE III IMPERFORATE ON A DROP-RATE COVER. ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE COLLECTION.

Ex Newbury. The Scott value for a 1c Type III on cover is only $250 more than the value for a used stamp off cover, which by no means reflects the scarcity and desirability of the short-lived imperforate 1c Type III on cover, especially in this quality. (Image)

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