US Stamps Value Scott 21: 1857 1c Benjamin Franklin. Page 2

1857, 1¢ blue, type III. Showing an wide 6½mm break in top outerline, without gum, radiantly rich color and a beautiful proof-like impression, attractively centered, exceptionally fresh, Very Fine, a stunning mint stamp, with photocopies of 1977 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates for pair. Scott No. 21; $7,000.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions, Apr 2015, Sale 60, Lot 1963

o 1857, 1¢ blue, type III, imperf between (21a), positions 52-54L4, horizontal strip of 3, a fully perforated type IIIa at left and the right pair, type III, imperforate between, beautiful color, town postmarks. Couple understandably blunted perfs from scissor separation, trivial closed tear top right, accompanying certificate says “small repair” but close examination appears to be no more than a small filled thin, or even a minor hinge remnant (an opinion shared by the previous auction house when sold as part of the “Lake Shore” collection), and which is of minimal importance given its current unique status. Choice Fine appearance. Scott $23,500 A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THIS MOST IMPORTANT 1¢ 1857 ERROR, BEING THE ONLY PAIR OF A TYPE III FULLY IMPERFORATE BETWEEN. THERE IS ONE OTHER EXAMPLE OF A 1¢ 1857 IMPERFORATE BETWEEN, THIS ON THE TYPE IIIA, AND THAT PAIR IS FEATURED IN THE NEXT LOT. Expertization: 1999 P.F. Certificate. Provenance: Forcheimer, “Lake Shore”.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2015, Sale 351, Lot 41

1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Positions 53-54/63-64L4, block of four, three stamps Type III (21), bottom left stamp Type IIIa (Scott 22), large part original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, top left and bottom right stamps small toned spots of little consequence VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COMBINATION BLOCK OF FOUR FROM PLATE FOUR, CONTAINING THREE EXAMPLES OF TYPE III AND ONE EXAMPLE OF TYPE IIIa. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST COMBINATION BLOCKS OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT ISSUE. A Power Search review and our records revealed that blocks of any size containing more than two examples of the rare Type III are very difficult to find. The block of six, ex Moody, containing five examples of Type III (offered in our 1975 Rarities sale), has since been broken into singles. Most perforated multiples contain two each of Types III and IIIa, or three copies of Type IIIa. Although one would expect more Type III perforated stamps from positions that wore as the plate was used, the reality is they are very rare, which suggests that the sheets were stacked with the earlier impressions at the bottom. The top of the pile was released without perforations, and the bottom sheets in the pile (earlier impressions) were subsequently perforated and issued. Ex Lilly. With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as pair of Type III and pair of Types III and IIIa.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1092, Lot 1023

1857, 1¢ blue, type III (Scott 21), black town cancellation, nice looking example with vibrant color; professionally rebacked over hidden faults, Fine appearance. Scott $1,800. Estimate $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1242

Scott #21, 1c Blue, Ty. III, pos. 30R4, used single with black carrier cancel, deep color, tiny tear in bottom right corner that is barely detectable, just fine centering and an elusive type III stamp; 2014 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2015, Sale 150, Lot 56

USA (21 var) 1857 FRANKLIN 1¢ BLUE TYPE III, STITCH WATERMARK Handsome stamp, deep, rich color, red carrier cancel, horizontal stitch watermark, fine to very fine. Cert cites ‘small toned spots on Franklin’s shoulder, and in the “N” of “CENT”‘, neither of which we can see. (2006 PF Cert #432565) Cat value $2340.

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 584

1c Blue, Ty. III (Scott 21). Plate 4, unusually well-centered, rich color, New York circular datestamp, small horizontal crease at top left, otherwise Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1152

1c Blue, Ty. III (Scott 21). Position 66L4 with clear and wide breaks at top and bottom, intense shade and proof-like impression, cancelled by rim of circular datestamp free of Franklin’s face, unusually choice centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, 2005 P.F. certificate for combination strip of three on piece no longer accompanies

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1151

1857, 1¢ blue, type III (Scott 21), o.g., lightly hinged, extraordinary example of this incredible scarce mint stamp, featuring captivating rich color on bright white paper, with sharp clearly etched impression, despite the vertical crease this is among the more attractive mint copies of the handful that are known to exist; vertical crease down the middle on reverse which is barely visible on the face of the stamp, otherwise Fine, 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott $17,500. Estimate $4,000 – 6,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 47

USA (Scott 21) 1857 FRANKLIN 1? BLUE TYPE III, STRIP Horizontal strip of 3, positions 62-64R4, New York town cancel, cert reads ‘stamps with faintly toned perforations,’ which seems harsh, left stamp with nick at left, right pair with few blunted perfs at bottom, otherwise very fine. Includes New York cover from which it was taken, slightly reduced at left, otherwise very fine. (2011 PF Cert #496426 for cover). Cat value $8750.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 86

United States 1857-61 Issue 1857 1c blue, type III, part black cds, well centered for this, with design clear of the perforations on all sides, deep rich color, fresh and fine, scarce stamp, with 2006 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2014, Sale 201411, Lot 10

1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (Scott 21). Rich color, neat strike of town cancel, wide bottom margin clearly showing the wide break and double transfer that define the position FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED ONE-CENT 1857 ISSUE FROM POSITION 99R2. Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2). Guide dots were used to accurately lay out the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book). Plate 2 stamps were issued imperforate from December 1855 through June 1857. Beginning in July 1857 stamps from Plates 1 Late, 2 and 4 were issued with perforations, and Plates 2 and 4 continued to produce stamps through late 1857. Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form; conversely, Plate 4 stamps are rarer imperforate than in perforated form. Perforated 99R2 stamps are of extreme rarity. Our census, which incorporates the records of noted student Jerome S. Wagshal, the Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records and our own work, is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/21/21.pdf . Only one unused example is known, in a block. Twelve used singles are recorded, as are three on covers and two in strips, for a total of 18 known in any form. Virtually all have faults or are very off-center — only three off-cover singles, including this stamp, and one on cover are confirmed as sound. Siegel Census No. 21(99R2)-CAN-02. From our 1975 and 1991 Rarities sales and ex Ishikawa. Last offered to the market in our 1997 Rarities sale. Signed Ashbrook. With 1980 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3105

1c Blue, Ty. III (Scott 21). Position 55L4, scissors-separated, tied by “Boston Paid Jan. 1” circular datestamp on 1858 printed notice to Providence R.I., fresh and Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3106

1c Blue, Ty. III (Scott 21). Rich Plate 4 color on bright paper, with wide break at top and clear break along perforations at bottom, mostly face-free strike of town circular datestamp, fresh and Very Fine, ex Twigg-Smith, with 2001 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3104

21, 1857 1c Blue, Type III,light ms. cancel, deep color, a few blind perfs at left, Very Fine (Scott $2,000) 

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1045