Lot
1639 
1851, 1¢ blue, type III, Position 99R2, Horizontal strip of three, types II-II-III, Positions 97-99R2, the right stamp — Position 99R2 — has full margins all around at top and bottom framing the key elements of the Type III design (the wide breaks in outer lines), left stamps with large to just touched margins, strong shade on crisp paper, tied by two strikes of "Hartford Ct., Dec 4, 1857" cds on cover to Worcester Mass.; strip with crease at top and tiny tear in each stamp, Very Fine appearance; with 2019 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 8 $16,500.
A NEW DISCOVERY OF THE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE 1851 1¢ IMPERFORATE TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2 IN A STRIP OF THREE. THE 99R2 IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF TYPE III, WITH THE WIDEST BREAKS AT TOP AND BOTTOM.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, the majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) has small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2. According to the Neinken book, "The 99R2 stamp is a fresh entry, that was short transferred both at top and bottom, over an original entry that had been erased… The reason that 99R2 is the finest example of Type III is because of its very short transfer at top and at bottom, giving us the wide breaks in these lines." (p. 184).
Realized: $2,600