1c Indigo, First Design
(55). Unused (no gum), choice centering for this stamp with
well-balanced margins, top perfs slightly into oval as they are on
virtually all known copies, intense shade and impression, single pulled
perforation at upper leftVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN.
Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/55/55.htm) contains a total of 24 examples of this stamp. Of these 24, one is in the New York Public Library collection and two are cancelled. Of the remaining 21 copies, approximately half are defective to some extent. The example offered here, with a minor pulled perforation at upper left, is a most desirable example of this rarity.
Census No. 55-UNC-19. With 1969 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former not mentioning the perforation flaw. (Image)
5c Brown, First Design
(57). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and sharp impression,
small closed tear at top right centerFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY SIXTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN WITH ORIGINAL GUM, AND ONE OF ONLY NINE WITH FULL ORIGINAL GUM AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/57/57.htm) lists a total of 35 copies of Scott 55, including two cancelled and one sound original-gum copy in the New York Public Library collection. Of the sixteen original-gum copies available to collectors, seven have only part original gum. Of the nine copies available with full original gum, none are completely sound. Four have small perf defects, one is reperfed at right, one is repaired, one has unspecified faults (ex Caspary), and two have small closed tears.
Census No. 57-OG-20. With copy of 1948 and with 1969 P.F. certificates describing the stamp as sound. With 2001 P.F. certificate describing a small closed tear at top right center. (Image)
30c Red Orange, First Color
(61). Original gum, vibrant color, faint horizontal crease which is
characteristic of the 30c 1861 First Color issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY 20 ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1861 FIRST COLOR AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Our census of the 30c 1861 First Color published in the Zoellner catalogue (and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/61/61.htm) contains a total of 30 examples, including one in the New York Public Library collection. A characteristic common to most examples of the 30c 1861 First Color is faint creasing, which in some cases is very severe and in others barely visible.
Census No. 61-OG-11. With 1971 and 2001 P.F. certificates. (Image)
10c Dark Green, First Design
(62B). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, precise centering
with perfs well clear of design on all sides, bold vivid red grid
cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 10-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED CONDITION.
With 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)