Lot 2039 o
1851, 1¢ blue, types I & Ib, positions 7-8R1E, horizontal pair, neat complimentary blue grid cancels, margins large to just touching scroll and plume at bottom left, strong and vividly bright distinctive plate one early color with a crisp detailed impression on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, ex-Caspary, Ishikawa, Klein & Floyd; with 1996, 2006 and 2024 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 5, 5A $85,000.
AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE USED SOUND PAIR OF THE 1851 1¢ TYPE I ISSUE FROM POSITION 7 & 8 ON THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY - ONE OF THE GREAT CLASSIC MULTIPLES OF THE 19TH CENTURY.
According to the Jerome S. Wagshal census of the 1851 1¢ imperforate type I, there are only 98 examples in all recorded. This example is one of a small handful of examples showing the complete design and one of a few also in sound condition. Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early provided stamps qualifying as Type Ib -- Positions 3-6R and 8-9R -- distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away, with the exception of 7R. Positions 6R and 8R had less of the bottom erased than the other Type Ib positions, and for this reason they are more desirable examples of the type.nnAccording to the Jerome S. Wagshal census of the Scott #5-5A combinations from positions 7-8RIE (this pair being 5-MUL-060) there are only eight such combinations known with pair being among the finest.nnPast auction descriptions have mentioned a couple of trivial flaws however, in our opinion, these are not evident and are perceived flaws by past describers. A 1980 Philatelic Foundation certificate (#92312, missing) mentions, "tiny surface surface scuff at upper right", however we find no evidence of this and this was confirmed by subsequent Foundation certificates in 1996 and 2006. Both of which make no mention of any faults of any kind.nnTo this end we resubmitted the pair for expertising specifically requesting that the condition be examined in detail to confirm the condition. A brand new 2024 Philatelic Foundation certificate has been issued with no mention of any flaws.
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Realized: $90,000