The Wagshal Collection, Part 2: One-Cent 1851-56 Imperforate continued...

VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND LIGHTLY-CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF POSITION 7 FROM THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY. POSITION 7R1E IS THE ONLY ONE AMONG THE 1,000 SUBJECTS ON THE PLATES THAT PRODUCED IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS TO SHOW THE FULL DESIGN -- TYPE I, SCOTT NUMBER 5 -- AND ITS EXTREME RARITY IS GREATLY MULTIPLIED WHEN SOUND CONDITION BECOMES A FACTOR.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal (available at our website at http://siegelauctions. com/dynamic/census/5/5.pdf ) contains at least 98 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal 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 examples. Time has also not been kind to the surviving population, as very few are sound. In fact, there are only two sound four-margined copies in existence. The example offered here should be considered desirable because it is sound and also because it shows the complete outer part of the design at top and bottom, the essential elements of Type I.

Wagshal Census No. 5-CAN-051. With 1977 P.F. certificate. An earlier 1973 P.F. certificate mentioned a "tiny corner crease." The alleged corner crease was not detected by the P.F. in 1977 when they issued the new certificate, and in our opinion it never existed. A note from the P.F. in 1979 confirms their 1977 opinion. Ex Rinke and "Collection of a Country Gentleman" (Siegel Sale 422, Nov. 1972) (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH A POSITION 7R1E ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE COMBINATION PAIR PAYING THE SHORT-LIVED 2-CENT PRINTED MATTER RATE FOR 500 TO 1,500 MILES.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal (available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/5/5.pdf ) contains at least 98 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.

The use of this pair is particularly scarce and desirable. The 2c postage pays the 500-1,500 mile unsealed circular rate, examples of which are rare with stamps of any kind. Printed circulars were frequently discarded, and most circulars were mailed within a 500-mile radius, which required only 1c postage. This is the only recorded cover bearing Position 7R1E paying the 2c rate.

Census No. 5-COV-078. Ex Schenck and Neinken. Offered to the market for the first time since 1950. Unpriced in Scott as a pair on cover. Scott Retail as an off-cover pair is $150,000.00 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED BLOCK OF 1851 ONE-CENT FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE ONE EARLY, AND IT IS THE ONLY USED BLOCK CONTAINING THE RARE TYPE Ib. THE UPPER LEFT STAMP, POSITION 8R1E, IS ONE OF THE TWO BEST EXAMPLES OF TYPE Ib. THE SINGLE, POSITION 10R1E, IS THE ONLY TYPE II POSITION ON PLATE ONE EARLY WITH THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP.

Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. 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 ironed out when the entries were made below them. 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. Position 10R was more extensively ironed out at the bottom, but the entry still retained its characteristic Type I Relief T complete design at top.

This remarkable block is the one cited in the Neinken book under "Large Pieces from Plate 1 Early" (page 83): "The author knows of... only one used block of 4, in addition to the block of 6 illustrated, Fig. 10-Y [lot 652 in this sale]. Positions of the used block of four are 8-9, 18-19R1E, Types IB, IB, II, IIIa, a very interesting combination." This block has graced the important collections formed by Judge Robert S. Emerson, Saul Newbury and Mortimer Neinken, but never before has the adjoining single Position 10R1E been presented with the block (although it was offered by itself in the Emerson and Newbury sales). The bottom stamps -- Positions 18-19R1E -- have weak outer lines at top. Under magnification, the line in 18R seems to be complete (Type II) and the line in 19R has a tiny break, which qualifies it as Type IIIa.

Ex Emerson, Newbury and Neinken. This uniquely configured block is listed in Scott but unpriced. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ib FROM ONE OF THE TWO POSITIONS ON PLATE ONE EARLY THAT FURNISHED THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THIS TYPE.

Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp from Plate 1 Early. Six positions on Plate 1E 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 ironed out when the entries were made below them. 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.

Ex Neinken (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE 1851 ONE-CENT MULTIPLE FROM THE TOP ROW OF PLATE ONE EARLY, COMPRISING A PAIR OF TYPE Ib, INCLUDING POSITION 8R1E -- ONE OF THE TWO BEST EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE -- AND POSITION 10R1E, THE ONLY TYPE II POSITION ON PLATE ONE EARLY WITH THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP.

Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. 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 ironed out when the entries were made below them. 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. Position 10R was more extensively ironed out at the bottom, but the entry still retained its characteristic Type I Relief T complete design at top.

Ex Ashbrook (removed from the Plate 1E Right Pane reconstruction offered in lot 607) and Neinken. Scott Retail as single examples of Positions 8, 9 and 10R1E is $28,000.00 (the strip is unlisted). (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE COVER, BEARING THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II IMPERFORATE FROM POSITION 10R ON PLATE ONE EARLY -- THE ONLY TYPE II ON THIS PLATE WITH THE DESIGN COMPLETE AT TOP -- WHICH WAS USED WITH A TYPE IIIa TO MAKE UP THE 2-CENT PRINTED MATTER RATE FOR 500 TO 1,500 MILES.

Position 10R in the legendary top row of Plate 1 Early Right was more extensively ironed out at the bottom, but the entry still retained its characteristic Type I Relief T complete design at top. This position is very rare in any form (Scott value $2,000.00 off cover), and it is seldom encountered on cover. In this case, it is obvious that the sender affixed the Type IIIa first, then added the 10R1E to make up the required 2c rate for circulars sent between 500 and 1,500 miles.

Ex Neinken (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com