1c Green & Black on Violet
Paper, Inverted Center (RB1ad). Well-centered, rich color, neat "J.B.
Mills, Proprieter, 1874" printed cancel, small corner creases at top left
and top rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT ON VIOLET PAPER. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE 23 RECORDED COPIES OF THIS INVERT,
In his unpublished census, Larry Lyons records 23 examples of the 1c Proprietary invert on violet paper. Of these, he notes that only five are well-centered. Of these five, one has a hole, one has thins, one has a margin tear and one is toned and with a reattached perforation. The stamp offered here, which is well-centered, with minor corner creases, is the finest recorded copy.
Ex Joyce. With 1991 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Green & Black on Green
Paper, Inverted Center (RB2bc). Unused with traces of original gum,
rich color, trivial corner margin crease at top rightVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT ON GREEN PAPER. ONLY TWELVE EXAMPLES OF THIS INVERT ARE RECORDED.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records twelve copies of the 2c Proprietary invert on green paper. Of these, five appear to be used, and all twelve have at least one fault.
With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as used (Image)
3c Green & Black on Violet
Paper, Inverted Center (RB3ad). Deep rich color, neat strike of blue
handstamp cancel, two trivial nibbed perfs at top not mentioned on
accompanying certificateVERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY.
In his privately published census of the 3c Proprietary inverts, Larry Lyons records only seven examples (none is known on green paper). Of these seven, one has a missing corner, one has a margin added, two others have repaired corners, one has thins and is stained and one has creases and nibbed perfs. The stamp offered here, with trivial nibbed perfs not mentioned on the accompanying certificate, is by far the finest recorded example.
With 1989 P.F. certificate (Image)
4c Green & Black on Violet
Paper, Inverted Center (RB4ac). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like
impression, neat August 30, 1872 manuscript cancellation, light horizontal
crease at top is barely visible without fluidVERY FINE APPEARANCE. POSSIBLY THE FINEST OF THE SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY.
In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records six examples of the 4c Proprietary invert on violet paper (none is known on green paper). Of these six, one is defective, one has a piece missing, one has a repaired corner, one has a tear and abrasions, and one is reperforated at right. The stamp offered here, with a light horizontal crease barely visible without the aid of detection fluid, is the closest to sound of the six recorded copies.
Ex Joyce. With 1989 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Green & Black on Violet
Paper, Inverted Center (RB5ac). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and
sharp proof-like impression, small thin spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE CELEBRATED UNIQUE 5-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND THE KEY TO ANY COMPLETE REVENUE COLLECTION.
It is believed that this stamp was purchased from Hiram Deats by the noted Philadelphia stamp dealer, Philip Ward, for his personal collection. The stamp then passed into the hands of famed New Orleans dealers Raymond and Roger Weill, who purchased Ward's collection intact. They retained the stamp for over 20 years. Mr. Zoellner acquired the stamp in the 1989 Weills sale for $77,000 (including premium), which is the standing record price for a United States revenue stamp.
It is worth noting that the 5c Proprietary Invert is the only face-different postage or revenue stamp in United States philately. ALl other unique listings are varieties of a more common design.
Ex Deats, Ward and Weill Brothers. Illustrated in Linn's Philatelic Gems 5 on p. 140. With 1989 P.F. certificate. (Image)