US Stamp Prices Scott 63 – 1861 1c Benjamin Franklin National Bank Note. Page 15

1861, 1¢ blue (Scott 63), gorgeous example with sensational rich color and finely detailed impression, an impressive large margined stamp, neat black town cancellation, Extremely Fine. Scott $50. Estimate value $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 976

1861, 1¢ dark blue (Scott 63b), lovely example of this elusive color variety, bold rich color printed on bright white paper, pretty red Carrier cancellation, Very Fine, 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott $400. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 977

1861, 1¢ blue (63), block of four, exceptional centering, especially for a multiple and particularly on the top stamps; with strong color and never hinged original gum (with lightly penciled positions 27-28/37/38 on reverse); a choice, Extremely Fine block. Scott $1,700 for hinged Expertization: 2006 PSE Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 87

1861, 1¢ blue (63), centered perfectly amid large balanced margins with bright color and lightly hinged original gum; remarkably fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ value $1,750. Scott $300 GIVEN ITS MODEST CATALOGUE VALUE, THIS IS A SURPRISINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO LOCATE IN THE EXTRAORDINARY CONDITION OF THIS EXAMPLE—PSE HAS JUDGED JUST THREE OTHERS ITS EQUAL AND ONLY ONE SUPERIOR—A SUPERB 98. Expertization: 2005 PF and 2004 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF-Sup 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 86

U.S.; General Issues, 1861, 1¢ Blue, #63. N.h., fresh, Very Fine, PSE (2009) cert. Scott $300 + (hinged). Estimate value $500-600.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1080

U.S.; General Issues, 1861, 1¢ Blue, #63. O.g., fresh, Very Fine, PF (1987) cert. Scott $300. Estimate price $280-300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1081

Scott #63, 1c Blue, horizontal strip of three, wonderfully bright and fresh, light c.d.s. cancels, very fine.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 106

Scott #63, 1c Blue, nicely centered single cancelled solely by a complete and crisply struck Numeral “3”, fresh color, very fine; a most unusual and desirable cancel; 2012 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 105

1861, 1¢ blue (Scott 63), rich vibrant color amidst balanced margins, 1863 year date Philadelphia postmark, Extremely Fine, 2011 graded PSE certificate. SMQ XF – 90; $125. Estimate $100 – 150. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1278

1c Blue, Large Die Proof on India, Specimen Overprint (63P1 var). Mounted on 150 x 228mm card with red “Specimen” overprint across stamp and full imprint in brown at bottom, few light creases, otherwise Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1009

1c Blue (Scott 63). Rich color on bright paper, balanced Jumbo margins, bold strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ price $125.00 as 90, $575.00 as 95)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 92

1c Bright Blue (63 var). Radiant color on crisp paper, wide margins, grid cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this distinctive sub-shade, with 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 93

1c Blue, Printed on Both Sides (63e). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, strong impression of two different positions on back, normal impression on front with neat cork cancel, few slightly irregular perfs not mentioned on accompanying certificate, tiny pinholes at top and bottom FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE. Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other. Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of this rarity is known (shown below). Both stamps originally formed a pair, and they have similar perforations and the same tiny pinholes. Ex Philipp, Clark, Isleham, Donaldson and Cunliffe. With 1966 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue value is based on the hammer price of this copy in a June 2009 auction. The other has not been offered at auction since 1996.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 98

1c Blue, Vertically Laid Paper (Scott 63c). Extremely clear laid lines, perfectly centered with well-balanced margins, deep rich color nicely complemented by green cancel EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON LAID PAPER. THIS IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SUCH SOUND AND CHOICE CONDITION. ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE RARITIES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GREEN CANCELLATION. Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid, but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually found with faults. With 2001 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 96

1c Blue, Horizontally Laid Paper (Scott 63c). Very clear horizontal laid lines, bright color, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancel FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON HORIZONTALLY LAID PAPER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE. Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid (he was aware of only two horizontal), but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually seen with faults. With 2005 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 97