US Stamps Price Scott Catalogue 20: 1c 1857 Benjamin Franklin. Page 11

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Position 1R12, A Relief with straddle-pane margin and centerline at left, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), tied by grid and “New-York Aug. 15” circular datestamp on buff cover to Ravenna O., fresh and Very Fine carrier use, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1507

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Position 1R12, A Relief with straddle-pane margin and centerline at left, bright color, faint cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, the A Relief was used only to enter the top row (except possibly Position 81L), ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1506

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Plate 2, tied by blue grid on folded printed prices current dated July 31, 1857 and sent from Baltimore to Webster Va., Very Fine, attractive early use, dated one week after the earliest documented use, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1079

1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 98L2, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by blue grid on folded printed prices current dated July 24, 1857 from Baltimore to Webster Va., trivial edgewear, Very Fine, this could be the earliest documented use from Plate 2, the Scott Catalogue lists the earliest postmark date as July 26 (two days later), prices current were usually mailed in a timely manner, though in the absence of a circular datestamp the July 24 date cannot be confirmed, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1078

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Position 89R2 with major double transfer, rich color on bright paper, choice centering, neat strike of circular datestamp at right EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1857 TYPE II FROM POSITION 89R2, WHICH SHOWS THE MOST PRONOUNCED RE-ENTRY ON ANY UNITED STATES STAMP. THIS POSITION IS EXTREMELY RARE IN PERFORATED FORM. The Neinken book (p. 185) states “The stamp, 89R2, is a re-entry, but not in the proper sense of this term, because the re-entry on the lower part of this position was an error, as it was not made to correct any existent fault of the original 89R transfer… 89R2 is a stamp showing the most pronounced double transfer, or re-entry, on any U.S. stamp (general issues) known from 1847 to date.” Ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1071

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Positions 33/43/53L2, top stamp showing trace of plate crack at top, choice centering, tied by “Lawrence Mass. May 25” circular datestamps on cover to Dexter Me., with original enclosure, slightly reduced at right, small cover tear at bottom, top stamp repaired tear running the entire length of the stamp, otherwise Very Fine, Position 33 stamps showing the extended crack (late state of plate) are extremely rare, ex Neinken (the fact that he was willing to accept a faulty example is proof of its rarity)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1070

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Positions 58-60L12, B Relief, horizontal strip of three with straddle-pane margin and centerline at right, tied by three perfect strikes of blue Star with Circle at Center fancy cancel, equally perfect matching “Jersey Shore Pa. Aug. 30” circular datestamp on cover to Harrisburg Pa., left stamp has minute perf tear at top left of absolutely no significance but mentioned prophylactically in anticipation of P.F. certification, Very Fine, a phenomenal strip and cover, ex Brown, Brooks, Krug and Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1502

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 20). Positions 38-40L12, B Relief, horizontal strip of three with straddle-pane margin and centerline at right, rich color, light strikes of grid cancel, Fine-Very Fine, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1500

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Position 23L2, clearly showing the crack at left, perfs scissors-separated causing some trimmed at right, light strike of blue circular datestamp, Fine example of this scarce position

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1069

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Positions 23/33L2, vertical pair, top stamp part original gum, clearly showing the plate crack, defective with top stamp torn in half and repaired, both stamps also with portions of other stamps added, still appears Fine, an extremely rare unused example of this variety, ex Neinken, Scott Retail as original-gum singles

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1068

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Position 13L2, barely cancelled and clearly showing the plate crack at lower left, faint vertical crease at right, single short perf at lower right, Very Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1067

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Position 12L2, showing the crack at upper right, rich color, choice centering, tied by “Alexandria Va. Dec. 16, 1857” circular datestamp on small piece, Very Fine and choice example of this distinctive variety, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1066

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Position 2L2, showing the plate crack at right, rich color, tied by “Boston Mass. 1 Oct.” circular datestamp on buff cover to Salisbury Point Mass., cover restored at left, still Very Fine example of this desirable plate crack position

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1065

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Reconstruction of the Plate 2 crack with Positions 2L/12-13L/23L/33L2, various cancels including blue grid, blue circular datestamp, manuscript and circular datestamps, each stamp clearly shows the crack, few small flaws, a Very Fine appearing and rare reconstruction of perforated stamps from these positions, on page 196 of Neinken book, Ashbrook is quoted “An attempt made by this author to reconstruct Plate 2 in perforated stamps ended in failure. It was impossible to find sufficient material.”

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1064

1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 2 Crack (20 var). Positions 3-5/12-15/21-25/31-35L2 (plus Position 2L2 used), block of 17, unused (no gum), with part imprint selvage at left, showing all positions of the plate crack, rich color, detailed impression which clearly shows the plate flaw, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, couple faults including one stamp at right with perf flaws, Position 21 surface scrape, light crease at top right and tiny thin specks FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED UNUSED BLOCK OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT SHOWING THE “BIG CRACK” IN PLATE TWO. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERFORATED ONE-CENT MULTIPLES IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE. The fracture on Plate 2 began above Position 2 on the left pane and continued downward in a “lightning bolt” jagged line across Positions 12-13L, 23L and at a later stage just into 33L (as seen in this block). It was probably caused by an inherent flaw created during the manufacture of the steel plate. Regarding this block, Ashbrook wrote (personal letter to Neinken): “It is not only very rare but so far as I am aware it is unique… In all my years with the One-Cent I never even heard of a block of four which included any of the Plate 2 crack positions.” It is also described and illustrated by Morris Fortgang in his article “The One Cent Stamp of 1857: Types – Varieties – Rarities” (1957 Congress Book, p. 126) and by Neinken in his book (p. 196). Ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 1006, Lot 1063