Lot
817 (
)
Hinkley's Express Co., 1855, 1¢ red on bluish, three blocks of 16 and one block of 14 - 62 stamps in total cut from a complete sheet of 64, without gum as issued, includes inverted subject in Position 2 creating the unique tête-bêche multiple, a few slightly creased or cut into, but overall excellent color and condition, Very Fine and rare, ex-Hall. Scott No. 82L1, 82L1a; $40,300 Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
BY FAR THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE RARE 1¢ HINKLEY'S EXPRESS CO. CONTAINING THE UNIQUE TÊTE-BÊCHE VARIETY.
A. M. Hinkley's Express Company and The Metropolitan Errand and Carrier Express Company were associated. The 1¢ stamp with Hinkley's name was probably never issued for use, as no genuine covers or used examples have been found. The stamps were lithographed by Baldwin, Ball and Cousland in sheets of 64 (8 by 8). The lithographic stone was made by repeating intermediate transfers in blocks of four. Prior to the Hall auction, the largest recorded multiple was a block of four (ex-Lilly) and as an indication of rarity, there were only singles in the Caspary and Boker collections.
Realized: $3,500