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Sale 119: The Dr. Armando Grassi Collection of Classic United States

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1857 1¢ Issue, Types I-IIIa

Lots 2203-2212 Lots 2213-2216

Lot 2203 o   

1861, 1¢ blue, type I, wonderful centering, intensely rich and deep color, attractive red New York Carrier date stamp cancel, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex-Grunin and V. Morris; with 1991 P.F. & 2008 P.S.E. certificates, latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $6,500).
Scott No. 18    $595.

A LOVELY GEM COMPLIMENTED BY THE RED CARRIER CANCEL. ONE OF EIGHT EXAMPLES TO GRADE AS SUCH WITH NO EXAMPLES GRADED HIGHER.

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Lot 2204 o   

1861, 1¢ blue, types I & II, vertical pair (top type I, bottom type II), full margins and exceptional centering, strong bright color, neat blue target cancels, an Extremely Fine gem; with 1991, 2002 P.F. & 2017 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $2,450 for singles).
Scott No. 18,20    Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

A WONDERFUL COMBINATION PAIR IN OPTIMAL CONDITION.

This is a true rarity given the combination of types I & II in the gem condition complimented by lovely blue cancellations. In our opinion, this is woefully undergraded.

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Lot 2205 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type Ia, Position 99R4, outstanding centering with design only being just touched by perf holes at top and bottom, beautiful deep rich color enhancing a crisp detailed impression on fresh bright paper, light target cancel leaving all characteristics of the rare type clearly visible, Extremely Fine to Superb, ex-Ishikawa, V. Morris & Twigg-Smith; with 1972, 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $85,000).
Scott No. 19    $10,000.

WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1857 1¢ TYPE IA PERFORATED ISSUE. ONE OF THE TREASURES OF THE GRASSI COLLECTION AND OF ALL UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

The example offered here, with perforations completely clear of the design and showing the full type characteristics at bottom, is a true condition rarity.

Only one has graded higher (the wide-setting copy, graded 98J) and one other shares this grade.

Realized: $42,500

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Lot 2206 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type II, major cracked plate, Position 23L2, exceptionally centered, rich intensely deep color, with full long perforations all around, light grid cancel and a tiny manuscript ink spot at top right, Extremely Fine; with 1973 & 2008 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 20 var.    $1,400.

AN OUTSTANDING STAMP WITH THIS VERY DISTINCTIVE PLATE VARIETY.

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Lot 2207 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type II, Position 10L4, choice centering amid full well balanced margins, stunning rich deep color enhancing a sharp early impression, light town cancel, Very Fine and choice, a beautiful and scarce used example from plate four; with 1998 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 20    $1,250.

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Lot 2208 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type II, Plate 12, well centered with full perforations all around, lovely fresh pastel color, cancelled by perfect strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-"European Connoisseur" and Myerson; with 2021 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 20    $325.

A WONDERFUL GEM RARELY SEEN WITH SUCH BEAUTIFUL COLOR AND CANCELLATION.

Realized: $1,500

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Lot 2209 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type II, Position 19L12, choice centering amid beautifully balanced margins, rich vibrant color on bright fresh paper, sharp bold "Dighton, Mass." circular town cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, one the finest examples with great eye appeal; with 2011 P.F. certificate for pair.
Scott No. 20    $325.

Realized: $425

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Lot 2210 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type III, position 99R2, light unobtrusive town cancellation, exceptionally well centered within large margins clearly showing design characteristics at top and bottom, rich bold color, tiny ½mm tear at top right, still an Extremely Fine gem; with 2010 P.S.E. & 2010, 2021 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 21    $7,250.

IN OUR OPINION, THIS IS THE FINEST APPEARING EXAMPLE WITH SUPERB CENTERING OF ONLY APPROXIMATELY 15 KNOWN 1857 1¢ TYPE III PERFORATED STAMPS FROM POSITION 99R2.

Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIA (100R2). Plate 2 stamps are rarer perforated than in imperforate form. Most perforated examples of position 99R2 have perforations cutting into the design on at least one side. The example offered here remarkably shows all design characteristics perfectly.

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." (proof. 184).

According to the Siegel Census, there are 13 known used singles of the 1857 1¢ Type III Position 99R2. Of these, this is by far the finest centered example.

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Lot 2211 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type III, exceptional centering amid beautifully balanced margins, stunning rich color and crisp impression, with full long perforations all around, light black town cancel, Extremely Fine and choice; with 1978 & 1991 P.F. certificates (for strip of 3) and 2003 P.F. & 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $4,750).
Scott No. 21    $1,400.

AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 1¢ TYPE III PERFORATED ISSUE.

Realized: $3,000

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Lot 2212 o   

1857, 1¢ blue, type III, Plate 4, wide breaks at top and bottom, beautiful sharp detailed strike of the red New York Carrier cancel, well centered amid well balanced large margins with wide breaks at top and bottom of the design clearly visible, rich deep color on bright fresh paper, Very Fine and choice; with 2012 P.S.E. certificate.
Scott No. 21    $1,700.

A STUNNING STAMP WITH THIS RED CANCEL OF THIS SCARCE PERFORATED TYPE III.

Realized: $1,700

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Lots 2203-2212 Lots 2213-2216

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