Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — 1851-60 Issues
1c Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E, huge margins including portion of adjoining stamp at bottom (Position 17R), just barely touched at left, rich color in the distinctive bright Plate 1 Early shade, proof-like impression, neat strike of blue "Richmond Va. Nov. 24" circular datestamp leaves every single design characteristic clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OFF-COVER SINGLES OF SCOTT NUMBER 5 IN EXISTENCE, AND ONE OF ONLY A FEW SOUND EXAMPLES. POSITION 7R1E — THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY — IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I). ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE BLUE RICHMOND CIRCULAR DATESTAMP. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE RAREST AND MOST DESIRABLE CLASSIC IMPERFORATE UNITED STATES STAMP.
The 1c 1851 stamp, with a bust of Franklin based on Caffieri’s sculpture, was one of the workhorses of postage stamps issued during the decade it was current. To print enough 1c stamps to meet demand, twelve steel plates were made—one was never used (Plate 6), and the first plate was reworked to add life to it (thus, the Early and Late states).
Understanding the 1c types begins with a knowledge of the relief transfer process used to make the plates. The printed image of a stamp reflects the entry on the plate. In turn, that entry reflects the relief on the transfer roll and the effects of “ironing out” (which occurs when a transfer roll partially obliterates a previously entered design), burnishing, double transfers and other functions of the platemaking process. Finally, the inherent flaws in the steel plate and changes caused by wear over many thousands of impressions influenced the impressions left by the entries. All of these factors created the variation in designs that philatelists methodically classify by type.
Stanley B. Ashbrook organized a system of classification and sorted through thousands of stamps to determine how many plates were used and what each plate looked like, based on the impressions produced. He determined that there were twelve plates. Only Plates 1 through 4 were used to print stamps that were issued imperforate. All stamps from plates 5 through 12 are perforated. When we refer to a specific position, the position number is shown first (1 to 100), followed by the pane (R for right and L for left) and the plate number (1 to 12).
The original 1c 1851 design has an elaborate ornamental border on all four sides. The changes to this ornamental border produced the different types. Ashbrook’s type system is based on the premise that Type I should be a printed design that comes closest to the original die design. The presence of the top ornaments, the bottom plumes and scrolls, and the side ornaments is a requirement for Type I. For imperforate stamps, Ashbrook found only one position among the 1,000 entries on Plates 1E, 1L, 2, 3 and 4 that met this requirement: Position 7R1E. The fact that only one position met the Type I criteria is why Scott 5, a Type I imperforate stamp, is so rare. That an album and list of United States stamps include Scott 5 is why the stamp’s value is so great.
The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/5, contains 99 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.
Because of the significance attached to the outer portions of the 1c 1851 design, rare types that have been carefully cut apart, so as not to impinge on any part of the design, are extremely desirable. The narrow spacing between stamps in the sheet and the users' indifference to the outlying ornamentation during separation are factors that contributed to the great rarity of four-margin copies. The example offered here comes from the "Warner strip" of Positions 7-9R1E, which was cut apart with a view towards preserving the margins of this stamp. Examples of Position 7R1E (Scott 5) with large right and bottom margins, where there was very little space between it and the adjoining stamps, are true rarities. In fact, using the census data, it is clear that this stamp is among the two or three finest sound examples known.
Wagshal census no. 5-CAN-047. Ex Caspary, Twigg-Smith, Hinrichs, "Scarsdale" and "Natalee Grace". With 1976, 2001 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E, ample margins clearly showing the design characteristics, light strike of red grid cancel and town datestamp, small internal tear at top right in "E" called "pinhole" on accompanying certificate
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 TYPE I, SCOTT 5, CANCELLED IN RED. THIS STAMP COMES ONLY FROM POSITION 7 IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY. ONLY ONE OUT OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS ON PLATES USED TO PRINT THE STAMPS ISSUED IMPERFORATE IS THE TYPE I, WHICH HAS THE DESIGN NEARLY COMPLETE, INCLUDING THE ORNAMENTAL PLUMES AND BALLS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.
The published census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/5, contains 99 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.
Wagshal census no. 5-CAN-099. With 2025 P.S.E. certificate.
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 3 (7). Positions 19-20/29-30R3, block of four with right sheet margin, right two stamps (Positions 20R and 30R) major double transfers, large part original gum which is slightly disturbed, beautiful deep shade and impression, bottom left stamp with small chunk out at left and a tear, vertical crease mostly between stamps just touches design of top right stamp, the bottom right and top left stamps are fresh and sound
OVERALL FINE APPEARANCE WITH TWO SOUND VERY FINE STAMPS. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED UNUSED BLOCKS FROM THE SHORT-LIVED ONE-CENT PLATE 3.
There are four unused Plate 3 blocks confirmed by photo or mentioned in various sources: 1) Positions 17-20/27-30R3, block of eight with original gum, the “Armitage” block and also ex Lilly and Neinken, last offered in our 2010 sale of the Wagshal collection; 2) Positions 39-40/49-50R3, block of four originally joined with the block of eight, part original gum, ex Armitage, West, Ishikawa, Beals and Rogers and from our 1978 and 1989 Rarities sales; 3) Positions 19-20/29-30R3, block of four with part original gum, ex Hollowbush, Cipolla and Middendorf, the block offered here; and 4) Positions 77-78/87-88R3, block of four, condition unknown, ex West. We can confirm that numbers 1-3 on this list remain intact. In addition, there are two recorded used Plate 3 blocks.
Ex Hollowbush, Cipolla and Ambassador Middendorf. Discussed in Neinken book on page 231. Listed but unpriced in Scott as a block. SCV $8,000 as singles, which does not remotely convey the rarity of this block.
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 3 (7). Position 51L3, large margins to just into plumes at bottom including left sheet margin with “ENGRAVERS, Phila. New York. Bo(ston)” portion of imprint, deep luxuriant color distinctive to stamps from Plate 3, tied by blue “Montpelier Vt. Sep. 14, 1857” circular datestamp on buff cover to Ripton Vt.
VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ONE-CENT 1851 STAMP FROM PLATE 3 SHOWING A PORTION OF THE IMPRINT. ONLY ONE OTHER ON-COVER EXAMPLE IS RECORDED.
Any example of a 1c stamp from Plate 3 showing a portion of the imprint is rare. The Neinken book states that only one stamp is known showing any portion of the actual “3” plate number (ex Wagshal). This on-cover part imprint example is especially rare, and is reportedly one of only two recorded.
Ex Cipolla and Ambassador Middendorf.
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Two covers, each with single 3c stamp, first tied by large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Ms. Oct. 1 1860" circular datestamp on cover to New Bedford Mass. with Etna Laboratory, Holden, Cutter & Co. of Boston, fireworks advertising with patriotic style illustrations in red, yellow, orange and black and showing different varieties of fireworks at right, red "Agents for Sanderson, formerly of Sanderson & Lanergan's Safety Superior Fireworks" printed on top of design, receiving backstamp, two pulled perfs at bottom left; second tied by large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Mass. Jun. 3" double-circle datestamp on cover to Fryburg Mass. with Etna Laboratory, Holden, Cutter & Co. of Boston, fireworks advertising with patriotic style illustrations in red, yellow, orange and black and showing multicolored balloon with basket at right, similar red "Agents for Sanderson, formerly of Sanderson & Lanergan's Safety Superior Fireworks" printed on top of design, latter with original enclosure of small fireworks advertisement printed in red, stamp with tiny tear at lower left and bottom right corner affected from placement at edge of cover
VERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL PAIR OF MULTICOLORED ETNA LABORATORY FIREWORKS ADVERTISING COVERS, WITH THE PATRIOTIC THEME OF JULY 4, 1776. EACH DESIGN IS REPORTEDLY UNIQUE. THESE COVERS ARE REUNITED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE HAAS COLLECTION WAS DISPERSED IN 1980.
Text on the covers note "Pyrotechnist to the city of Boston, 1850, 1852, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1858, 1859". The text omits 1857, when a mortar exploded during the July 4th festivities, killing three men and a boy.
The first ex Haas (Sale 561, lot 110) and Piller. It was acquired by Vaquero in the Rumsey NY 2016 auction. With 2002 P.F. certificate. The second ex Haas, "Bull Durham", Gabriel and Conland and illustrated on the front cover of Sale 637 in 1984. It was acquired by Vaquero in our 2015 Rarities sale.
3c Dull Red, Type I (11). Margins clear to in, bright color, small flaw at top, tied by blue "Andover Mass. Jan. 12" (ca. 1856-57) circular datestamp on cover to Corisco, West Africa, addressed to Mrs. George McQueen, who traveled to Corisco in 1855 and married a missionary, sender's directive "Via No. 28 Centre Street, New York", neat "Boston Br. Pkt. 14 Jan." backstamp indicating this was sent from Andover to the foreign-mail office at Boston, but then redirected to the Centre Street mission address in New York City, Very Fine, an extremely rare early use to Africa, carried outside the mails to Corisco in West Africa, ex Piller, Giamporcaro, Hackmey and Gross, with 1993 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Ample to large margins, rich color, used with two vertical pairs and single 12c Black (17), each with sheet margin at bottom, other sides large to slightly in, tied by "Washington D.C. Jul. 23" (1857) circular datestamps on cover to Porto Grande, Isle St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, addressed to Lieut. E. C. Stout aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis — this navy vessel was patrolling the waters off the west coast of Africa to capture slave traders — red "(New-Yor)k Am. Pkt. (Jul.) 25" circular datestamp on back (only part remains), magenta manuscript "44" credit — carried on the New York & Havre Line Fulton, departing New York July 25, 1857, and arriving at Southampton August 6 — red British transit datestamp (August 6), 5c tiny tear at bottom and corner creases, top stamps in 12c pairs have small faults and margin toning, backflap and part of side flap removed, slightly reduced at top, repaired just above the red British datestamp
FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE USED ON A COVER TO THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE DESTINATION FOR MAIL DURING THE 1851-56 IMPERFORATE ISSUE ERA.
Cape Verde is a series of ten volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. It was an important location in the slave trade and was prosperous until efforts increased to limit the slave trade. A review using Power Search did not find any other 1851-56 Issue covers sent to Cape Verde.
From our 1975 Rarities sale. Ex Mayer (book, p.144 where described as one of two covers to Cape Verde, but we record only one), Hackmey, Gross and Eubanks. With 2006 P.F. certificate.
10c Green, Ty. IV (34). Position 64L1, recut at top and bottom, in strip of four with three 10c Green, Type III (33), Positions 61-64L1, used with two additional singles of 10c Green, Ty. III (33) and 5c Red Brown (29), tied by blue "Norfolk Va. Apr. 4, 1859" circular datestamps on cover to Funchal, Madeira, addressed to the U.S. Ship Cumberland, "Boston, Am. Pkt., Apr 8" exchange backstamp and red crayon "44" cents credit, carried on the Inman Kangaroo, departing New York Apr. 9th, 1859, arriving Liverpool Apr. 23, red London Paid datestamp (Apr. 25), Portugal "160" reis due handstamp, stamps generally defective including piece out of Ty. IV, still a Fine and rare use to Madeira, especially rare with the Ty. IV stamp, illustrated in an article by Richard Winter in Chronicle 269, Feb. 2021, signed Ashbrook, with 2022 P.F. certificate erroneously describing strip as two pairs
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Three, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), bright colors, tied by neat strikes of grid cancel, "Augusta Me. Sep. 14" (1860) circular datestamp on buff cover to St. Paul de Loando, West Coast of Africa, "Boston Br. Pkt. Sep. 19" and Liverpool (OC 1) backstamps, barely reduced at left, two 10c stamps small faults, Very Fine—St. Paul de Loando was the capital of the Portuguese colony of Angola and a known area of activity for slave traders, the cover is addressed to Third Assistant Engineer James Atkins on the U.S.S. Mohican, which was patrolling the waters for slave traders, the Mohican captured the slave-carrying ship Erie, whose captain, Nathaniel Gordon, was hanged in 1862, the first man condemned under an 1820 Federal law declaring slave-trading a form of piracy—with 2023 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Horizontal strip of three and pair, used with two 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), tied by multiple strikes of Boston large "Paid" grid on double-rate Dec. 1860 folded letter to Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, red crayon "56" credit, red London Paid datestamp (Jan. 2, 1861), manuscript "2" British Colonial credit, various backstamps including Boston British Packet (small part of the marking missing from opening), one 12c with tiny corner fault, still Very Fine, ex Piller, with 2021 P.F. certificate describing the 12c stamps as a strip of five
30c Orange (38). Bright shade, tied by large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Paid 12 Dec. 29" 12c credit datestamp on square-shaped 1860 cover to Mostaganem, French Algeria, handsomely addressed with explicit detail ("Africa", "Algerie", "Province d'Oran"), French arrival datestamps front and back, Mostaganem receiving backstamp, couple small edge tears, Very Fine, an extremely rare and exotic destination in the classic period, although Algeria was considered by French postal authorities to be part of France (with the same rates), it is highly regarded as a separate destination by postal history collectors, ex Haas and "Sevenoaks", with 2019 P.F. certificate
5c Brick Red (27). Unused (no gum), bright color on fresh paper, centered to bottom left but projections on those sides are complete
FINE AND RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BRICK RED SHADE.
With 2025 P.F. certificate.
10c Green, Ty. V (35). Mint N.H., selvage at top, outstanding centering with very wide margins, rich color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADED MINT NEVER-HINGED SCOTT 35 WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.
This is, in fact, the highest grade The Philatelic Foundation or Professional Stamp Experts has given to a Mint N.H. No. 35 (90 is the highest in the P.S.E. Population Report).
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded. Neither Scott nor SMQ price this in Mint N.H. condition.
90c Blue (39). Block of four, unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, some perfs trimmed at right and a few pulled at top left
A FINE-CENTERED AND SCARCE UNUSED BLOCK OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE.
The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. Most unused multiples probably come from supplies recovered from Southern post offices.
Ex Frelinghuysen. With 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott value $75,000 for a block with original gum.