12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Original gum, lightly hinged, exceptional centering almost never seen on an original-gum example of this issue, intense shade on fresh paper

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE—GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Any multiple of the 1857 12c Black from Plate 1 will demonstrate the narrow layout of this plate, which produced Scott 36. Even when the perforations are aligned between stamps, they still punch out part of the outer frameline. Plate 3, which produced Scott 36B, remedied this problem by allowing more space for perforations.

The stamp offered here is completely sound with proof-like impression and original gum. It shows the outer frameline on all four sides virtually without interruption. There are very few examples of Scott 36 that exist in condition comparable to that of the stamp offered here.

With 1989 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to an original-gum Scott 36 by P.S.E. and it is shared by only one other. The next highest grades are XF 90 (one example) and VF 80 (one example), so for the collector of superb original gum classics, it would be difficult to compromise by dropping down a grade from this Gem.

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