12c Grayish Black, Part India
Paper (17 var). Positions 61-63/71-73/81-83L1, block of nine with part
of left sheet margin, original gum unevenly applied (a characteristic of
original-gum examples on Part India paper), lightly hinged, two stamps
(Positions 71-72L1) appear Mint N.H., large margins to barely touched at
bottom right, distinctive Grayish Black shade and early proof-like
impression on unusually bright paper with soft fibrous texture, Positions
63L and 73L are "double recuts" (only four such double-recut positions
exist on Plate 1), light vertical crease affects right stamps, faint corner
crease at bottom leftVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON PART INDIA PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCKS OF THIS ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION-WORTHY MULTIPLE.
The 3c and 12c 1851 Issue are both found on Part India paper, which is a hand-made silky paper that varies in thickness within the same sheet. The Neinken 12c 1851-57 book (pp. 61-64) quotes from earlier publications by Ashbrook, Chase and Jaeger, which describe the look and feel of Part India stamps. Referring to a pair (ex Richey) and strip of five (ex Newbury), the 12c Part India stamps are described as "undoubtedly from the very first impressions from the Twelve Cent plate. The engravings are very sharp and resemble die proofs or plate proofs on India. The shades of both these items are of the earliest known, the distinctive grayish." It is also speculated that the Part India stamps "came from 'trial printings' i.e., proof sheets that were afterwards thrown in the regular stock, then gummed and issued to various post offices." Although the 12c Part India paper has been described as "thin" or "very thin", it is actually thicker when gauged on a micrometer. Its "thinness" is better described as "softness", a paper characteristic that enhances the impression, but appears to have been problematic in gumming.
The Philatelic Foundation has experienced difficulty certifying examples of the 12c Part India, especially unused examples with gum. Previous certificates for other multiples, which undoubtedly originated from the same Left Pane multiple as the block offered here, have inconsistent opinions. However, looking forward, the P.F. is now informed of the plate positions for three blocks (one of nine, two of four) and two strips (of three and four), all in the same distinctive Grayish Black shade on Part India paper with uneven gum.
This is probably the block of nine offered in the 1917 Worthington sale (J. C. Morganthau & Co., 131st Sale, Aug. 21-23, 1917, lot 109), where described as "lighter shade, block of 9, o.g., the right hand stamps gum crease." We know of two other 12c Part India blocks, both of four stamps. There are also original-gum blocks of nine, ten and fifteen in the normal Black shade on regular paper. (Image)
12c Black (17). Original
gum, lightly hinged, large to huge margins all around incl. sheet margin
at bottom, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. A MARVELOUS STAMP.
The 12c issue was printed from a plate that provided little space between stamps. Copies such as this one with extra wide margins are rare, especially in sound original-gum condition. In our opinion, this stamp merits nothing less than an XF-Superb 95 grade. (Image)
12c Black (17). Position
51L1, huge margins all around incl. part imprint at left, intense
shade on bright paper, light strike of town datestamp leaves design clearly
visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE FINEST USED IMPRINT SINGLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. A REMARKABLE POSITION PIECE.
Our informal census of imprint copies of Scott 17 contains only six examples, including four with imprint at left and two with imprint at right. Of these, only three are thought to be sound.
Ex Koppersmith and Klein. With 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black (17). Position
11R1, huge margins to large incl. sheet margin with guideline at
left, crisp impression, face-free strike of circular datestamp,
Extremely Fine Gem, a superb sheet-margin example, with 1987 P.F.
certificate (Image)
12c Black (17). Large even
margins all around incl. part of three adjoining stamps, detailed
impression nicely contrasted by blue Louisville circular datestamp,
trace of red cancel at bottom right, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in
every respect, with copy of 1982 P.F. certificate
(Image)
12c Black (17). Ample to
large margins all around, deep shade, light strike of red circular
datestamp, Very Fine and choice (Image)
12c Black (17). Position
15R1, large margins to ample incl. part of adjoining stamp at top, two
distinct pre-printing paperfolds incl. one affecting frameline at
left, light strike of blue Baltimore circular datestamp, Very Fine and
choice, scarce pre-printing paperfold on this issue, ex Emerson (Image)
12c Black (17). Large
margins to clear incl. sheet margin at left, intense shade and
impression, neat strike of town datestamp and red "3" credit
handstamp, Very Fine and choice, a beautiful stamp, with 1989 P.F.
certificate, Scott Retail with no premium for the red numeral cancel (Image)
12c Black (17). Large
margins to clear, intense shade on bright paper wonderfully contrasted by
Mobile "Paint Red" circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, a
stunning stamp (Image)
12c Black, Double Transfer (17
var). Large to huge margins incl. part of adjoining stamp at top, clear
double transfer which is particularly noticeable at right, lightly
cancelled, tiny tear at top right, faint thin speck, appears Extremely
Fine, scarce with such a clear double transfer, with 1982 P.F. certificate
not mentioning any faults (Image)
12c Black (17). Positions
89-90L1, horizontal pair, enormous margins all around incl. sheet margin
at right and part of two adjoining stamps, crisp impression, red
grid cancels, left stamp faint vertical crease visible only in fluid
and not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE RIGHT STAMP IS A SUPERB GEM AND STUNNING IN EVERY RESPECT.
Ex Brown. With 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)