US Stamp Values Scott 19: 1857 1c Benjamin Franklin. Page 4

o 1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia (19), position 99L4, fresh and virtually perfectly centered with ball ornaments clearly visible at bottom, stunning deep color, faint black cancel; Extremely Fine. Scott price $10,000 AN EXCEPTIONAL PERFORATED TYPE IA FROM PLATE 4 WITH PERFORATIONS THAT ARE ALMOST CLEAR AT TOP AND BOTTOM, ALLOWING THE TYPE CHARACTERISTICS TO BE PLAINLY VISIBLE AND POSSESSING PROOFLIKE COLOR AND FRESHNESS AS WELL. Expertization: 2004 PF Certificate. The bottom row of the short-lived plate 4 perforated presents one of the greatest frustrations for the 1¢ collector. This bottom row is the only row that produced the type Ia stamps (18 positions out of a possible 2000), the most striking feature of which is the complete design at the bottom. Yet in almost every case the perforations at the bottom cut away these characteristics because the perforating machine were not adjusted to allow for the larger design of the bottom row stamps.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 44

1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia (Scott 19), position 98L4, neat black town cancellation, an impressive example of this rarely offered type Ia stamp, with spectacular color and impression, completely sound and choice, rare thus, as this stamp usually is found with faults from one degree to another, appears to be partially imperf at left, but the accompanying P.F. certificate describes it as just “a few unpunched perforations”, a wonderful opportunity to acquire a completely sound example of Scott #19 with the type characteristics clearly visible; a few unpunched perforations at lower left, Very Good to Fine, 1988 P.F. certificate. Scott $10,000. Estimate $2,500 – 3,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 691

o U.S.; General Issues, 1857, 1¢ Blue, Type Ia, #19. Neatly canc’d., “light corner crease….a few perf faults”, perfs cut into at bottom and showing portion of additional copy, scarce, nice deep shade, Very Good to Fine rare, PSE (2005) cert. Scott $10,000. Estimate price $1,000-1,300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1024

1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia (Scott 19), pen cancel removed, stamp appears unused, deep color, fresh and attractive, Very Good to Fine, 2011 PF Cert. Scott $5,000. Estimate value $1,000 – 1,500. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1235

United States 1857-61 Issue 1857 1c blue, type Ia, plate 4, pos.94R4, black cds, well centered for this difficult issue, showing full type characteristics, rich color, reperforated with small tear, v.f. appearance of this rare stamp, with 2000 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 201206, Lot 24

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (Scott 19). Rich Plate 4 color, unobtrusive cancel, small thins at upper right and lower right FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE Ia. With 2004 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VG 50, SMQ value $2,750.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1165

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (Scott 19). Bottom row F Relief position, remarkably choice centering with perfs almost entirely clear of the bottom plumes, deep rich color, light strike of blue circular datestamp, bright paper EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TYPE. Type Ia, imperforate and perforated, only comes from 18 positions in the bottom rows of the right and left panes of Plate 4. Due to difficulties in perforating sheets from Plate 4, many examples of Type Ia have perforations cutting into the design at bottom, which destroys the defining characteristic of the type. The example offered here, with choice centering and showing the full design, is very rare. With 2012 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 86

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, spectacular deep rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, centered slightly right but with the key design elements showing at top and bottom, tied by perfectly struck “Boston Mass. 7 Sep.” circular datestamp on small 1857 Academy of Arts and Sciences circular to Cambridge, light central file fold does not affect stamp VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia ON A SMALL FRESH FOLDED CIRCULAR. Type Ia was produced by only 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. Most examples on cover are either off-center, have small faults or are used with other stamps. The example offered here, a choice single on a pristine circular, is a condition rarity. The earliest documented use of a Scott 19 is September 7, 1857, if the August 1 cover without a yeardate is excluded (see footnote in Scott Catalogue). This predates the September 9 EDU

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 87

1c Blue, Ty. Ic (19b). Position 81R4, E Relief, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins all around, deep rich Plate 4 color, neat strike of circular datestamp cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE Ic. A PHENOMENAL RARITY. Type Ic is similar to Type Ia, which has the design complete at bottom, but the bottom right plume of Type Ic is incomplete. Two Type Ic positions are in the bottom row of Plate 4 (91R and 96R4, F Relief) and are listed under Scott 19b as the “best examples.” Six or seven Type Ic positions are from E Relief positions on the plate, and these are listed in Scott as “less distinct” examples. The full detail of the bottom plumes was slightly erased either by plate burnishing prior to printing or plate wear during printing. This stamp is far scarcer than its catalogue value would suggest, especially with four margins in sound condition. Power Search failed to find its equal. It is likely that the paucity of copies trading hands has resulted in the catalogue value not being properly updated. Ex Mayer. With 1994 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $15,000.00). This is the only graded used copy of this issue.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 54

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of large Boston “Paid” grid leaves the type’s defining characteristics clearly visible EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE Ia. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST DESIRABLE TYPES OF THE ISSUE. Type Ia stamps were produced from 18 of the 20 bottom-row positions on Plate 4. After perforations were introduced in mid-1857, sheets on hand printed from Plates 1 Late and 2 were fed through the new perforating machine, but the narrow spacing between stamps made perforating difficult to accomplish without cutting into the designs. Plate 4 was produced in early 1857 when the introduction of perforations was anticipated, thus, it was entered from a new six-relief transfer roll, and the spaces between stamps were enlarged to allow for perforations. Some Plate 4 sheets were issued in imperforate form (April to June 1857), while the greater portion was issued perforated beginning in July 1857, along with perforated sheets from Plates 1L and 2. Plate 4’s most distinctive feature is that the top row (Positions 1-10L and 1-10R) was entered with the designs complete at top (Type II) and the bottom row (Positions 91-100L and 91-100R) was entered with designs complete or nearly complete at bottom (Types Ia and Ic). Although the plate layout provided sufficient space for perforations, the height of the top-row and bottom-row designs was larger than others in the sheet, which resulted in perforations cutting into either the top or bottom rows, depending on which direction the sheet was fed into the perforator. Type Ia and Ic stamps from the bottom row are almost always cut into at bottom, an unfortunate situation for collectors because the bottom part of the design is what makes Type Ia and Ic stamps desirable. Ashbrook states: “I consider perforated Type Ia stamps that are not touched by perforations as the rarest stamps in the 1857 perforated issue.” (Neinken book, p. 279). The Scott Catalogue contains a footnote to the basic price quotes: “Copies of this stamp exist with perforations not touching the design at any point. Such copies command very high prices.” With 1998 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $37,800.00). Only three have graded higher to date, including the famous Zoellner-Hinrichs copy with wide-spaced perforations which realized $330,000 hammer in our Tahoe sale (graded 98J).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 53

1c Blue, Ty. Ia (Scott 19). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, few vertical creases FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE Ia. Type Ia, imperforate and perforated, only comes from 18 positions in the bottom rows of the right and left panes of Plate 4.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 152

1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia, curl on shoulder (19 var.), bright and fresh with full original gum, upper left corner re-attached and few pulled perfs at bottom, otherwise Fine and very rare. Scott $45,000 Expertization: 1988 PF Certificate not noting the variety.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4219

o 1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia (19), position 95R4, strong, rich color, bright paper and neat precancel; two diagonal creases, about Fine. Scott value $5,000 Expertization: 1989 PF Certificate identifying the position.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4220

() 1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia (19), centered to left but quite well centered vertically, unused without gum, horizontal crease and small tear; fresh, nearly Fine appearance. A reasonably attractive example of the rare perforated type Ia. Scott price $20,000 Expertization: 2004 PSE Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 97

o U.S.; General Issues, 1857, 1¢ Blue, Type Ia, #19. Pen cancel, rich color, Fine to Very Fine, PF (1982) cert. Scott $5,000. Estimate price $1,800-2,000.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 814