Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 18-24)
1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, original gum, intense color, unusually choice centering with wide margins at sides and clearly showing the characteristics of the type
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. — A RARE STAMP IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
The defining characteristic of Type I is that the entire design is printed, including the scrolls and plumes at bottom. Among the plates used to print imperforate stamps, only one position out of 1,000 can claim that honor (Position 7R1E, Scott No. 5). Type I perforated stamps are only known from certain positions on Plate 12. Due to the narrow spacing between perforations and difficulties of production, this issue is usually found with part of the design cut off by the perforations. The wide margins of this stamp leave the Type I characteristics around the perimeter almost completely intact.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded in this gum category (the only Mint N.H. graded example is a 95).
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1c Blue, Ty. Ia (19). Position 97R4, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel 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.
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: "Copies of this stamp exist with perforations not touching the design at any point. Such copies command very high prices."
With 2014 P.F. certificate.
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 12, B Relief, original gum, deep rich color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II PERFORATED FROM PLATE 12.
With 1989 P.F., 1989 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90). Only two grade higher (at 90J and 95) and only six others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Plate 2, deep rich color, unusually choice centering, light strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 1c Type II perforated, with 1999 and 2012 P.F. certificates (ungraded) and 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate (Superb 98)—by way of comparison, the highest grade awarded to a used example by P.S.E. is 95
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on crisp paper, choice centering for this difficult issue and showing clear breaks in outer lines at both top and bottom (the characteristic of the type)
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III STAMP. VERY FEW EXIST IN ANY TYPE OF ACCEPTABLE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THE INCREDIBLE CENTERING AND REMARKABLY FRESH ORIGINAL GUM MAKE THIS STAMP A PHENOMENAL CONDITION RARITY.
Ex Hoffman. With 1991 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has certified two each at 85 and 90 (we have never offered any of them).
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. III (21). Plate 4, choice centering, intense color and impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, light strike of circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE III, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Due to the narrow vertical spacing on this plate, stamps are most typically found with the perforations impinging on some portion of the design. The example offered here is centered so that the type characteristics are clearly visible.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). None have graded higher and only eight others share this grade, a statistic that remains unchanged since 2010.
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, original gum, lightly hinged, exceptionally rich color with characteristic Plate 11 mottling
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85).
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (22). Plate 11, rich color and detailed impression, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancel, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa from plate 11, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Most examples of Type IIIa from Plate 11 are poorly centered. The example offered here, showing clear and unmistakable characteristics of the type, is a condition rarity.
With 1997 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 95J).
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. IV (23). Recut once at top and twice at bottom, deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, nicely complemented by red New York Carrier Department 1c integral-rate circular datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT PERFORATED TYPE IV, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Most examples of this issue have perforations either touching or cutting into the recut lines. The example offered here, with intact recut lines at top and bottom, is the rare exception to that rule.
Ex Merlin. With 1990 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it.
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1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Mint N.H., rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE V, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hanover". With 1989 P.F. (as a pair) and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), only ten grade higher
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Mint N.H., detailed impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott value $140 as hinged
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1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Mint N.H. block of four, rich color, choice centering, perf separations at bottom not noted on certificate, Very Fine appearance, with copy of 2000 P.F. certificate for block of nine, Scott value $800 as hinged
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V, Double Transfer at Top (24 var). Intense shade and impression, clear strike of blue circular datestamp leaves the double transfer clearly visible, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SMQ value without premium for the variety
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Choice centering, bold strike of "Mobile Ala. Mar. 18, 1860" double-circle datestamp and also red London cancel at top, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2013 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Position 31R9, unusually choice centering, straddle-pane margin at left showing distinctive heavy Plate 9 centerline, tied by "U.S.P.O. Despatch Phila. Jul. 10 8 AM" octagonal datestamp on small orange piece, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2012 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Horizontal pair, rich color, clear strike of "Mobile Ala. Jan. 30, 1861" double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine Independent State use, ex Koppersmith, with 1989 and 2015 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Two horizontal pairs, one with New York Carrier Department 2c integral-rate circular datestamps, other with Charleston 1860 circular datestamp, latter tiny corner crease at top right, Very Fine pairs, first with P.F. certificate 217316 (does not accompany)
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Vertical strip of three, choice centering, clear strikes of grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
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