2015 Rarities of the World continued...

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE I ON COVER, USED TO PAY THE CIRCULAR FEE RATE. THIS IS FROM A RECENT DISCOVERY.

The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal 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. An even smaller number were used on covers, and those used to pay the 1c circular fee are extremely rare.

With 2013 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IA, ONE OF THE RARITIES FURNISHED BY PLATE FOUR.

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).

Ex Scarsdale. With 1989 and 2002 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLY PRISTINE LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE II ISSUE.

As the top and bottom margins of this stamp demonstrate, the 1c 1851 plates provided virtually no space between the stamps for separation. The stamp offered here, with wide margins showing the complete design all around and parts of the adjoining stamps above and below, is a true condition rarity.

Ex "Scarsdale." With 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III.

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, 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.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $6,000.00) (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (NG; VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,750.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4.

Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-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.

Ex Odeneal. With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST FIRST DAY COVERS BEARING THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE. ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED USED FROM CHICAGO.

In his census in the 1851 Sesquicentennial book, Wilson Hulme recorded a total of 43 covers used on July 1, 1851, which is the first day they were valid for postage, including three used from Chicago. One of these has a heavy manuscript cancel.

Offered to the market for the first time since a March 1977 Kaufmann sale. With 1970 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM FOUR-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.

Ex Mayer and Curtis. With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as original gum (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

The 10c Type I stamps are defined as having complete scrolls at bottom. They are only found on the bottom row of the plate (20 positions). For some reason, they were usually trimmed at bottom when they were separated, leaving a dearth of quality copies. This example, with its enormous margins, is an extreme exception to the rule.

With 2004 P.F. and 2003, 2005 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $6,000.00). Only one has graded higher and four others share this desirable grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1855 TYPE II, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT.

With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,200.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100) and six others share this desirable grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

The 12c 1851 plate was laid down with very little room between stamps -- just barely one millimeter, to be exact. For this reason, collectors have a difficult time finding stamps with large margins all around. The original-gum example offered here is a true condition rarity.

Small red and blue backstamps. With 1999 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $12,500.00). Only three have graded higher and two others share this grade. (Image)

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