10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Wide balanced margins all around, virtually perfect centering, dark rich color and proof-like early impression on bright paper, cancelled by rim of vivid red New York foreign-mail circular datestamp clear of portrait

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS, IN OUR OPINION, THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 10-CENT FIRST DESIGN EXTANT. IT IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

The 10c 1861 First Design (or Type I) was printed from Plate 4, which left very little space between the stamps for the 12-gauge perforation holes. Examples of Scott 62B (or 58) are rarely seen with margins framing the design on all sides. The stamp offered here is the rare exception, and it is even more remarkable as a used copy, free of faults, clearly cancelled in red (and face-free). As a measure of the 10c First Design's rarity in used high grades, the latest P.S.E. Population Report lists three used examples graded XF 90, this and one other graded XF-Superb 95, and none higher than 95.

Ex Merlin. With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it — the stamp cancelled with black "Paid" that was offered in our "Natalee Grace" sale.

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