US Stamps Value Scott 17: 1851 12c George Washington. Page 11

United States 1851-57 Issue 1851 12c black, face free cancel and faint red arrival pmk at bottom left, full margins all around, fresh and v.f., with 1983 PFC for a horizontal pair from which it originated

Cherrystone Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 201206, Lot 22

United States 1851-57 Issue 1851 12c black, pos. 27R, unused without gum, margins all around including parts of adjoining stamps at right and bottom, rich color, sharp impression, v.f., rare unused, with 2000 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 201206, Lot 21

12c Black (Scott 17). Horizontal pair, Positions 79-80R1, left stamp showing double transfer in lettering of “TWELVE”, full margins to barely touching at bottom corners, Fine, also incl. No. 15 with large margins and lightened manuscript cancel

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1162

12c Black (Scott 17). Large part original gum, margins to clear, small vertical tear at top, faintly toned at top, otherwise Fine, scarce, with 2009 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1161

12c Black (Scott 17). Original gum, margins to clear, intense shade, Fine and attractive example of the 12c 1851 Issue, scarce with original gum, with 1977 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1160

12c Black (Scott 17). Huge margins including sheet margin at left and part of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, bright shade and crisp impression, bold strike of blue Philadelphia circular datestamp. EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE, WITH A SHEET MARGIN AT LEFT, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ price $2,900.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 85

12c Black, Part India Paper (17 var). Large margins to barely in at top right, detailed impression, unobtrusive strike of blue Philadelphia datestamp, small thin spot, light crease at top left corner, still a Fine example of this scarce paper variety, 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 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,” according to Dr. Amonette this paper is a mixture of pure rag stock and fiber from the inner bark of the bamboo tree, with 1980 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 49

12c Black (17). Position 51L1, huge margins all around including “ENGRAVERS, Phila. New York, Bost” portion of imprint in sheet margin at left, intense shade on bright paper, light strike of town datestamp leaves design clearly visible EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE FINEST USED IMPRINT SINGLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. A REMARKABLE STAMP. 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. The only other example located in Power Search was sold in 1968. The example offered here, showing a significant portion of the imprint (as opposed to only part at top or bottom) is very desirable. Ex Koppersmith, Klein and our “J & J” auction. With 1988 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 48

12c Black, Very Thin Paper (17 var). Horizontal pair, huge margins including part of four adjoining stamps, ample at right, crisp shade and sharp impression, neat strikes of red grid cancels and part of matching circular datestamp FRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED PAIR OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON VERY THIN PAPER. The thin papers are often associated with Part India. The Part India is described by Ashbrook 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.” Ex Klein and Wagshal. Light purple backstamps. With 1989 and 2010 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue has just listed this variety for the first time, starting with the 2012 U.S. Specialized Catalogue. Scott Retail as singles.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 50

12c Black, Printed on Both Sides (17c). Printed in the same orientation as design on the front, back of stamp shows clear impression of two stamps at top and a fainter impression of two additional stamps at bottom, front of stamp with large margins to in and black grid cancel, back of stamp also shows slight offset, tiny corner crease at bottom right FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE 1851 ISSUE. ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED. 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. Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. The variety is known on the three denominations issued in 1851 — 1c, 3c and 12c — but not on the imperforate stamps issued in 1855 (10c) and 1856 (5c). Reports have varied as to how many copies of the 12c 1851 printed on both sides are known. Brookman reported that he knew of four. However, we have only been able to locate two complete stamps, and this is the number widely used by students today. None is known unused. The other copy, ex Ishikawa, is shown below. Offered in our 1967 and 1991 Rarities sales. Ex “J & J” Collection. For our online census of Scott 17c: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/17c/17c.pdf

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 51

United States 1851-57 Issue 1851 12c black, unused without gum, full to clear margins all around, fine, with 1982 Buhler cert., rare unused

Cherrystone Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 201204, Lot 28

1851, 12¢ gray black (Scott 17), without gum, an appealing example of this difficult unused stamp, vivid color with razor sharp impression, completely sound and choice, Fine to Very Fine, 1996 A.P.S. certificate. Scott $2,500 Estimate value $1,000 – 1,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 161

12c Black (Scott 17). Horizontal pair, large margins to just barely in at top right, intense shade and impression, neat strike of Baltimore circular datestamp and also trace of additional blue cancel at left, few toned spots mostly on back, Fine-Very Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 148

12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, large even margins, bright shade, tied by blue “Skaneateles N.Y. May 23” circular datestamp on small piece, also tied by red “3” credit handstamp and with 1853 Liverpool transit marking, Very Fine and choice, Scott Retail with no premium for the piece

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 147

12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (Scott 17a). Top right half, large margins, tied across the cut by light strike of “San Francisco Cal.” circular datestamp on buff cover to Peoria Ill., 1853 docketing at left indicates sent Aug. 1 and received Sept. 8 EXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE BISECTED USE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE, ACCEPTED AS POSTAGE ON A TRANSCONTINENTAL COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO ILLINOIS. 12c 1851 stamps were bisected in San Francisco when 3c stamps were in short supply. This is one of the most attractive “simple” 6-cent rate covers we have encountered.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 149