2003 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM BOTTOM SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE II FROM PLATE 1 EARLY.

Stamps from Plate 1E, which produced the first 1c 1851's issued, are very scarce in original-gum condition and typically are toned or stained. This stamp is among the freshest and brightest Plate 1E examples we have encountered with original gum.

With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM STRIP OF THREE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE TYPE II WITH TWO DOUBLE TRANSFER POSITIONS.

Position 48R2, the lefthand stamp, is the second most significant double transfer (after 89R2). Position 49R2, the center stamp, ranks twelfth of the eighteen listed by Neinken. Neinken states (on p. 185) "The second largest double transfer on the plate is 48R2, and no doubt this variety was the result of a misplaced guide dot. 38R and 42R2 were transferred from the setting taken from the dot SE of 27R. The dot was as far out of line with the other dots below the 3rd row as the dot SE of 88R. After the transfer of 38R-48R was made, or perhaps only 48R, the transfer was burnished out and a fresh entry was made. There is some doubling on 38R but not enough to determine positively whether an original entry was made and removed. The doubling on 48R2 is, therefore, the trace of the former or original entry and the stamp itself is from a fresh entry."

With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM PLATE 3 IS RARE IN ANY CONDITION. THIS STRIP OF THREE IS ONE OF THE FEW ORIGINAL-GUM MULTIPLES IN EXISTENCE.

According to Ashbrook and Neinken, Plate 3 is believed to have been made in March or April 1856, possibly to replace the defective Plate 2 and/or to meet the increased demand for stamps concurrent with the April 1855 change in postal regulations requiring prepayment of postage. For an unknown reason -- possibly a severe defect that arose in the plate -- very few stamps were printed from the new Plate 3 before it was retired, and surviving examples are rare.

Plate 3 comprised Type II stamps exclusively. Early impressions are found with a distinctive mottling or ink film caused by ink remaining on the plate after it had been wiped. The absence of mottling on this strip indicates it is a later impression.

With respect to Plate 3 stamps such as this, which can be plated with certainty, Neinken wrote (p. 220): "The fact is that in this day and age, if a stamp has been plated as a Plate 3 position, and this plating is substantiated by a knowledgable student or a Philatelic Foundation certificate, the Plate 3 stamp realizes far more in auction sales, or when purchased from a dealer, even though it has no definite Plate 3 characteristics. There is only one certain way to identify a stamp as being printed from Plate 3, and that is to definitely plate the position."

Plate 3 stamps have always been highly respected and enthusiastically collected, especially examples that show one or more of the distinctive features (surface cracks, mottling or Prussian Blue color). However, searching thru past sales of major 1c 1851 collection -- Chase, Emerson, Fleckenstein, Newbury, Ishikawa and Cipolla -- it is obvious that very few Plate 3 stamps rival the condition of this strip.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

FINE APPEARING AND RARE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT CHICAGO PERFORATION. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 17 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 3 used on covers, 12 used off cover (including a strip of three).

With 2001 P.F. certificate (stating "small lightened stain spot at top left, and manuscript ink on the reverse bleeding through to the face at bottom right"). The other unused example also has a stain. Scott Retail based on the last 1c Chicago Perf to reach the market -- a No. 9 in repaired used condition -- is $12,500.00. (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III WITH CLEAR AND WIDE BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.

With 1990 A.P.S. and 2000 P.F. certificates. (Image)

VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE TYPE III SHOWING CLEAR AND EASILY RECOGNIZABLE BREAKS AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE.

As noted in the Scott Catalogue, examples of Thpe III with wide breaks in both outer lines are worth substantially more than the Scott value quoted.

Plated and signed by Ashbrook in pencil on back. With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

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

With 1981 and 2002 P.F. certificates for horizontal strip of three, this being the center stamp (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IV IMPERFORATE ISSUE WITH HUGE MARGINS.

With 2002 P.F. certificate for bottom margin block of twelve, this being the left center stamp. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 TYPE IV IMPERFORATE ISSUE. AN EXCEPTIONAL STAMP.

With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)