US Stamp Prices Scott Cat. #17 – 12c 1851 George Washington. Page 18

12c Black (Scott 17). Large margins all around, detailed impression, neat strike of circular datestamp, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 269

12c Black (Scott 17). Positions 71-75R1, horizontal strip of five, huge margins to barely touched at one spot and including straddle-pane margin with centerline at left, tied by “New Orleans La. Jun. 14” circular datestamps on 1856 folded letter to Vera Cruz, Mexico, bold “12” reales due marking, light horizontal file fold well clear of stamps VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE HORIZONTAL STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE USED ON A SIX-TIMES RATE COVER TO MEXICO. Ex Knapp and Klein. Sold in our 1987 Rarities sale where it realized $8,500 hammer. Plated and signed by Ashbrook. With 1988 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 310

12c Black (Scott 17). Huge margins to just in, tied by neat strike of “New-York Mar. 25” circular datestamp on cover to Philadelphia, tiny corner crease at top right, Fine appearance, scarce quadruple-rate usage, with 1982 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 306

12c Black (Scott 17). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at left, tied by red grids, matching “New York 3 Oct. 11” circular datestamp on cover to Charles Perkins in London, England, endorsed “Poste Restante” in elaborate penmanship and “Str. Baltic”, light strike of red receiving circular datestamp, fresh and Very Fine, early usage, carried aboard the Collins Line’s Baltic which departed New York on Oct. 11, 1851, with 1986 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 307

12c Black (Scott 17). Horizontal pair, large margins including part of adjoining stamp at left, intense shade, cancelled by neat strikes of blue grid, matching “Skaneateles N.Y. Jun. 2” circular datestamp on cover to Bristol, England, red “19” credit handstamp, 1856 Liverpool transit, Boston and receiving backstamps, some slight wear, Very Fine, a pretty cover

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 308

12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (Scott 17a). Top left diagonal half, large margins to in, tied across the cut by “San Francisco Cal. ? Aug” circular datestamp on small cover to Maine, with original contents, cover with few toned spots, otherwise Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 309

12c Black (Scott 17). Full margins, detailed impression, tied by “San Francisco Cal. 1 Sep.” circular datestamp on buff cover to Cleveland O., endorsed “pr Tennessee”, fresh and Very Fine, scarce usage, ex Grunin, with 1987 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 304

12c Black (Scott 17). Huge margins including significant portion of adjoining stamp at bottom, tied by “New Orleans La. Aug. 12” circular datestamp on oversize orange cover to Parish of St. Laudry La., missing bottom flap where slightly reduced, Extremely Fine, unusual quadruple-rate usage, ex Judd, with 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 993, Lot 305

() 1851, 12¢ black on very thick paper (17 var.), position 2L with a double transfer, large margins except barely in at upper left, strong prooflike impression, unused, light all-over toning [noted on certificate, but truly trivial], F.-V.F. and quite rare. Scott price $2,450 as normal paper Expertization: identified and signed by Ashbrook with a 1996 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2010, Sale 331, Lot 351

o 1851, 12¢ black on part-India paper (17 var.), exceptionally large, beautifully balanced margins with a finely detailed impression and a light, face-free blue town cancel struck in the lower left corner; a choice, Extremely Fine gem. Scott $1,100 AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THIS LITTLE-KNOWN AND RARELY SEEN PAPER VARIETY. Expertization: 2010 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2010, Sale 331, Lot 352

o U.S.; General Issues, 1851, 12¢ Black, #17. Used, re-attached pair, large margins all around, Very Fine appearance. Scott $600. Estimate value $150-200.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jul 2010, Sale 86, Lot 332

12c Black (Scott 17). Positions 1-2/11-12, block of four, margins to slightly cut in, strong intense shade, each with neat grid cancel, Pos. 11 slight edge thinning, otherwise Very Good-Fine, rare used block of four

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2010, Sale 992, Lot 2065

12c Black (Scott 17). Part original gum, h.r., clear to large margins except slightly in partially at bottom, proof-like impression, light creases, about Fine appearance, scarce stamp unused, especially with original gum

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2010, Sale 992, Lot 2064

12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (Scott 17a). Bottom right half tied by “New-York Ship Sep. 25” (ca. 1853-54) circular datestamp on cover to West Chester Pa., clear strike of red “VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS” framed handstamp applied in San Francisco, bold “6” due handstamp overstruck by New York datestamp, also crossed out and re-rated “7” due in blue manuscript (5c plus 2c ship fee), some slight edgewear, stamp with negligible small tear at bottom VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1851 12-CENT BISECT IN COMBINATION WITH THE “VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS” HANDSTAMP AND NEW YORK SHIP-LETTER DATESTAMP. A FASCINATING COVER SHOWING CORRECTED RATING AS AN UNPAID SHIP LETTER. During the period from 1853 to April 1855, bisected 12c 1851 stamps were used on mail from San Francisco to prepay the 6c over-3,000 miles rate to the East Coast. Upon arrival in New York, the bisects were either accepted or rejected. In this case, the New York office did not accept the bisect, but incorrectly applied the 6c due marking for a letter received from a non-contract vessel addressed to the port of arrival. This was then corrected by applying the New York “Ship” datestamp and 7c rate for a non-contract ship letter to another post office (5c unpaid rate plus 2c ship fee). Ex Grunin. With 2007 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2010, Sale 989, Lot 62

12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (Scott 17a). Upper right diagonal half, even margins just into outer frameline, well-tied across the cut by “New-York Mar. 1” circular datestamp on 1853 folded letter from New York City to Philadelphia, sender wrote addressee’s name incorrectly and erased the first line VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY USE OF A 12-CENT 1851 BISECTED STAMP FROM ONE MAJOR EAST COAST CITY TO ANOTHER, PREPAYING THE DOUBLE 3-CENT DOMESTIC LETTER RATE. The majority of 12c 1851 bisects are found on transcontinental covers, usually applied in California. Only a small number of intra-East Coast usages are known. Ex Sheriff and Martin. With 1980, 1986 and 2005 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2010, Sale 989, Lot 63