12c Black (17). Horizontal
pair, large margins to full, original gum, intense shade and impression
which is really quite stunningVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A PARTICULARLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
As this pair demonstrates, the spacing between stamps on the plate was very narrow. Sound original-gum examples with four margins are great rarities, and most have been harvested from larger multiples.
With 1988 P.F. certificate for pair. (Image)
12c Black (17). Original
gum, lightly hinged, four large even margins incl. part of adjoining stamps
on two sides, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. SCARCE IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION AND RARE WITH SUCH LARGE MARGINS.
With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black (17). Enormous
margins including sheet margin with full guideline at right and large
portion of adjacent stamp at left, trace of adjacent stamp at bottom
right, virtually face-free bright red "Philadelphia Pa. Br. Pkt. 19 Nov. 2"
credit datestamp, intense shade and incredible proof-like
impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT -- COLOR, IMPRESSION, CANCEL, MARGINS, AND FRESHNESS.
The 12c 1851 plate was laid down with very little room between stamps -- just barely one millimeter, to be exact. For this reason, collectors have a difficult time finding stamps with large margins all around. The 12c 1851 was also rarely cancelled exclusively by the red credit markings used by foreign-mail exchange offices, therefore, even when a red credit marking is present, it is usually struck in conjunction with another less attractive marking.
This stamp breaks both rules. The margins are enormous, and the sheet margin at right shows the guideline between the left and right panes (this stamp comes from the left). It was once part of a pair used to pay the 24c treaty rate to England -- we know this because of the "19" (cents) credit datestamp applied at the Philadelphia exchange office. In this instance, no other cancel was used, and we are left with a spectacular sheet-margin single cancelled in red.
None of the above will be lost on specialists in United States used classics, but for those less familiar with the nuances of the 1851-57 Issue, we should emphasize the truly extraordinary features of this stamp. It is the kind that causes a philatelist to stop and stare in awe.
With 1999 P.F. certificate for the original pair. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo). When we asked P.S.E. what constitutes a 100, they stated that the adjoining stamps must be visible on every side. However, given the other qualities this stamp possesses, we feel that it more than deserves the grade of 100. (Image)
12c Black, Diagonal Half Used
as 6c (17a). Large margins, bright shade, tied across the cut by "San
Francisco Cal. 16 Aug." circular datestamp on 1853 folded letter to Boston,
sender's ship-name designation "Winfield Scott" at lower left, light
vertical file fold well clear of bisectEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BISECT OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON A COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO BOSTON.
Ex Hessel and Kapiloff. With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)