United States Stamps continued...

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED INTACT BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT BRICK RED. AN IMPORTANT UNITED STATES CLASSIC BLOCK RARITY -- CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERFORATED 5-CENT JEFFERSON ISSUE MULTIPLE -- AND EVEN MORE REMARKABLE CONSIDERING THE GREAT RARITY OF THE 5-CENT BRICK RED AS A SINGLE STAMP WITH ORIGINAL GUM.

This is the only intact block of the 5c Brick Red. The Caspary collection contained a block of three with a fourth stamp added to create a complete block.

Apart from the block offered here, there are perhaps twenty 5c Brick Red stamps with original gum to be found among major auction sales of the past fifty years. About half of the known examples are poorly centered. Almost two-thirds have stains or small faults. Judging from our survey, we estimate that perhaps six or seven sound original-gum Brick Red stamps exist with centering approaching any of the stamps in this block. A well-centered original-gum Brick Red in our sale of the Golin collection (Sale 812) realized $35,000 hammer versus $14,000 Scott value. The three sound stamps in this block would probably be worth $50,000 to $75,000 each if offered as singles, which does not reflect any premium for the uniqueness of the block.

Ex Worthington, Hind, Sinkler and Ward. Illustrated in Linn's Philatelic Gems II. With 1989 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE INDIAN RED SHADE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE 1857 ISSUE TO FIND IN UNUSED CONDITION. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED, MOST VIVID EXAMPLES WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.

The so-called Indian Red shade of the 5c 1857 Issue is the rarest of the colors, ranging from Brick Red to Red Brown to Brown. In unused condition, it is an extreme rarity, with perhaps five or six original-gum examples known. We surveyed approximately fifty catalogues of major sales held over the past 70 years and, together with the stamp offered here, we located only eight different examples of the 5c Indian Red in unused condition (four with original gum or part o.g.). Even allowing for copies we have missed, Scott 28A in unused condition is obviously a great rarity. In fact, in Rarities sales conducted by our firm since 1964, only four unused 5c Indian Red stamps have been offered, not including this year's sale. The stamp offered here is one of the three best-centered of the group.

With 1999 P.F. certificate. (Image)

VERY FINE. THIS STAMP IS REMARKABLE NOT ONLY FOR ITS TRUE INDIAN RED COLOR, BUT FOR ITS SHARP IMPRESSION AND LIGHT FACE-FREE CANCEL.

With 1980 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TYPE II ORANGE BROWN. RARE IN WELL-CENTERED AND SOUND USED CONDITION.

The Orange Brown was issued not long before the 1857-61 Issue was demonetized, and thus is very scarce in used condition. With 1997 P.S.E. and P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION.

The Orange Brown was issued not long before the 1857-61 Issue was demonetized, and thus is very scarce in used condition. With 1996 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE STRIP AND COLORFUL ATTRACTIVE COVER. A STRIP OF THREE IS THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE OF THE 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN USED ON COVER. FOUR STRIPS ON COVERS ARE RECORDED, INCLUDING TWO IN VERTICAL FORMAT. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD.

The last published update of the census of 5c Orange Brown covers by Dr. Richard M. Searing showed a total of 38 covers, including four strips of three (two vertical, two horizontal).

Illustrated in Ashbrook's Special Service No. 29, in the Hill book (p. 73) where described as "one of the rarest pieces known to collectors", and in Brookman Vol. I (p. 221). Ex Hill, Haas, Ishikawa and Zoellner. Signed Ashbrook. (Image)