US Stamp Values Scott # 1: 5c 1847 Benjamin Franklin. Page 106

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). Large even margins, dark shade and crisp impression showing the recut left frameline very clearly, neat strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of the 5c 1847 recut, this position shows an upward slip of the engraver’s tool to the inside (right) of the frameline, starting opposite the “P” of “Post Office” and ending at the “U”, we do not see this on other examples, so more than one position was recut along the left frameline

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 145

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). With recut left frameline, large margins to clear in two places, worn impression, red grid cancel, light diagonal crease at bottom right, Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 146

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). With recut left frameline, large margins to clear at top left, rich color, neat strike of red New York square grid cancel, fresh and Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 147

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). Ample to large margins, wide break in left frameline, tied by red square grid, matching “New-York May 13” circular datestamp on blue 1851 folded letter to Carbondale Penn., light cover bend does not affect stamp, Very Fine, an unusually wide break in the left frameline, well-suited for exhibition next to the recut frameline variety

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 140

5c Dark Brown (Scott 1a). Large margins to clear, wide break in frameline at left, tied by face-free strike of blue “Wilmington Del. Dec. 6” circular datestamp on 1848 folded letter to Philadelphia, light vertical file fold, stamp lifted and replaced, otherwise Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 141

5c Dark Brown (Scott 1a). Intense shade, huge margins all around including significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, wide break in left frameline and another small break at lower left corner, tied by blue grid, matching “Utica N.Y. Nov. 25” oval datestamp on part of front only to Clinton N.Y., Extremely Fine stamp, well-suited for exhibition next to the recut frameline variety, with 1984 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 142

5c Red Brown (1). Block of four, original gum, mostly full to large margins, clear at top right, intense dark color, top right stamp with recut left frameline, small repair at top left causing some light staining, light horizontal creases VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE RECUT LEFT FRAMELINE ON TOP RIGHT STAMP. As this block shows, the left frameline was weakly transferred in a number of entries (level with Franklin’s eyes) and, as the plate wore, a break formed in the line. One or more subjects on the plate — in this case, the stamp at upper right — were recut along the left frameline. This recut position stands in contrast with the upper left stamp, which has a broken line, and the two stamps at bottom, which have well-defined lines. With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $50,000.00 as a normal block with original gum.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 143

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). Large margins to huge including sheet margin at top, bright shade, wide break in frameline at left, light strike of red grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, an excellent item for exhibition with the recut frameline variety, the frameline break on this position is as wide as we have ever encountered, ex Garrett, with 1974 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 137

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). Mostly huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, amplet at upper left, rich color, wide break in frameline at left, bold strike of red grid cancel, Very Fine, an excellent example of the broken left frameline and well-suited for exhibition next to the recut frameline variety

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 138

5c Red Brown (Scott 1). Large even margins, bright shade, wide break in frameline at left, bold strike of red New York square grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, well-suited for exhibition next to the recut frameline variety, with 1983 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 139

5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. F, The “Wagshal Shift” (1-F). Clear double transfer of top frameline, upper part of side frameline, “U” and “Post Office”, large to ample margins, bright shade, neat strike of red New York square grid cancel VERY FINE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE “WAGSHAL SHIFT”, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A TRIPLE TRANSFER. ONLY A HALF-DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN. Discovery of the “Wagshal Shift” was first published in The Philatelic Foundation’s Opinions V book in 1988. The sole discovery copy (offered in the following lot) was confirmed by a photograph of one in a pair in the P.F.’s records and another in a pair in Ashbrook’s notes. The stamp offered here was discovered by Mr. Wagshal in the “Elite” sale in 1989, and gave confirmation that this is indeed a triple transfer and not just a double transfer. Mr. Wagshal also confirmed that the stamp offered here was originally part of the pair in Ashbrook’s notes. Ex “Elite”. Unpriced in Scott Catalogue.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 133

5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. F, The “Wagshal Shift” (1-F). Clear double transfer of top frameline, upper part of side frameline, “U” and “Post Office”, three large margins, cut in at bottom, cancelled by bold strike of red New York square grid cancel, tiny flaw in margin at top left, although cut in at bottom the essential elements of the triple transfer are intact at top, this is the discovery copy of the Double Transfer Type F, the “Wagshal Shift”, only six are known to exist, unpriced in Scott

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 134

5c Red Brown, Crack in “T” Variety (1 var). Large margins, deep rich color, neat strike of red grid cancel leaves the plate crack from “T” of “Post” to top of design clearly visible VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LARGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE CRACK IN “T” PLATE FLAW ON THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE. The Crack in “T” plate flaw was first reported by Wade Saadi in the May 1994 Chronicle, where he identifies eleven copies. This stamp is an addition to the Saadi census, and it comes from a late impression. Calvet Hahn identified this as Position 69R1 (Feb. 2000 Chronicle). Listed but unpriced in Scott

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 135

5c Red Brown, Crack in “T” Variety (1 var). Large margins to well clear at top and lower left corner, rich color, neat strike of blue grid cancel leaves design and its characteristics clearly visible and showing clear plate crack from “T” of “POST” to top of design FINE. A HANDSOME LIGHTLY-CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE CRACK IN “T” PLATE FLAW ON THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE. The Crack in “T” plate flaw was first reported by Wade Saadi in the May 1994 Chronicle, where he identifies eleven copies. This stamp is accompanied by a 1994 note from Wade Saadi, who identifies it as coming from the second delivery. Calvet Hahn identified this stamp as Position 69R1 (Feb. 2000 Chronicle). Listed but unpriced in Scott

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 136

5c Orange Brown, Double Transfer Ty. C (Scott 1b-C). Ample to large margins, brilliant color, light strike of red grid cancel, the double transfer is clearly evident at lower left and in the bottom frameline at left, faint pressed-out vertical crease VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE DISCOVERY COPY OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH THE DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE C. VERY FEW EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN. In an article in the August 1995 Chronicle, Jerome S. Wagshal summarized previous writings on this double transfer. It was first discovered by Dan Hammatt around 1920. Mr. Wagshal recorded a total of 13-1/2 copies (one is a half-stamp in a strip). He also echoes Ashbrook’s theory that this and the double transfer Type D were created when the plate was reworked sometime in late 1850 and were only part of the fifth delivery from RWH&E in December 1850. This would account for their scarcity compared to the Type A and B double transfers, and it seems to be confirmed by the two examples known on cover, which were described by Ashbrook as 1851 usages. The distinctive Orange Brown shade also points to the Fifth Delivery. Accompanied by part of 1942 Ashbrook article from The Stamp Specialist

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 126