Census of 1c Blue, Type I (Scott 5)

Notes:

Repaired: The blue background in the medallion on either side of Franklin’s head has been scraped and filled in with blue ink. The red bars of the cancellation have been extended at the left of Franklin’s head. My examination of the stamp indicated it is also toned.
SBA analyzed this stamp as follows in a letter to Dr. Chase on February 11, 1942: “I think that there was [sic] some spots of gum on the face of this stamp and that this gum became damp and adhered to the back of an envelope which laid on top of this cover in a bundle. When pulled apart the blue ink in front and back of the head on the 7R (where the spots of gum were) pulled away from the stamp and left two damaged spots. Someone attempted to touch up these spots with the result that the stamp is probably worse than it was. There was no damage to the paper.” SBA also described this stamp and the cover from which it came in his Special Service on pp. 102-103 (the cover was an unsealed envelope to Henderson N.C.).
New York City red square grid.

Provenance:

SBA referred to this stamp as the “Brooks copy” after Harold C. Brooks, who tried to persuade SBA to sell it for him, but SBA refused. Brooks then turned it over to Ezra Cole, who sold it at a much-reduced price as a damaged copy.
Offered by Richard Champagne in June 1986 for, Realized $29,000
6/23/1952, Henry B. Close Collection, Eugene Costales, by order of J. W. Scott. The catalogue did not note repaired scrapes. Costales made an announcement at the sale after the defects were brought to his attention. Scott was announced as the buyer at $420 vs. $1,000 Scott value. See SBA Special Service, pp. 102-103 .
5/25/1986, Isleham (Ameripex) Collection, Siegel Auction Galleries, The Isleham Collection of United States Stamps, Sale 662, Lot 1041, Realized $6,500, described as “minor corner bend, couple trivial toning specks (show on back only)”, but an announcement was made at the sale describing repaired scrapes. Realized $6,500 vs. $22,000 Scott value.

Certificates:

PF 295406 (1995) stating “with small covered over surface scrapes in the vignette”.