Sale 1385 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 21-22 July, 2026
Category — 5c 1847 Issue: Intermediate, Worn-Plate and Cleaned-Plate Impressions
5c Brown (1). Large to huge margins including bottom sheet margin, dark shade which we think is Dark Brown No. 1a (despite "Brown" certificate), intermediate impression, light strikes of blue grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB BOTTOM SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH BLUE CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Ex Klein and Grunin. With 1988 and 2025 P.F. certificates (latter graded XF-Superb 95 and describing shade as Brown). SCV $465.
5c Red Brown (1). Deep dark shade, strong intermediate impression, stitch watermark, large to huge margins including right sheet margin, lightly struck blue grid cancel
extremely fine gem. an exceptionally beautiful 5-cent 1857 in a deep shade with sheet margin and attractive blue cancel.
With 1989 and 2025 P.F. certificates (latter graded XF 90). SCV $465.
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins, deep shade, strong intermediate impression, blue "PAID" in oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1997 and 2018 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins, rich color and strong intermediate impression, red New York square grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2024 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, intermediate impression, two bold strikes of blue "PAID" cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1989 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins including part of frameline from adjoining stamp below, intermediate impression, blue 5-bar grid in circle cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Graves ("Argentum"), Wall and Mirsky, with 1999 and 2024 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to ample, intermediate impression, rich color nicely complemented by magenta grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, scarce with the magenta grid cancel, with 2014 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Ample margins all around, rich color with slight oxidation, strong intermediate impression, bold strike of red "5" numeral cancel and a second lighter strike, trivial diagonal crease at bottom right, still Very Fine
5c Red Brown (1). Ample to large margins on three sides, in at right, rich color, intermediate impression, bold strike of red "5" numeral cancel, Fine
5c Brown (1). Vertical pair, large margins all around, dark shade, intermediate impression, tied by clear strikes of red grid cancel on small piece
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED PAIR IN THE SCARCER VERTICAL CONFIGURATION.
Ex Caspary, Rust and Mirsky. With 1982 and 2012 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)5c Dark Brown (1a). Large margins to clear at top left, beautiful dark shade and strong intermediate impression, small pre-printing paperfold at bottom, bold strike of green 6-bar rimless grid cancel struck twice
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE WITH A TRUE GREEN CANCEL.
Ex Saadi, Gross and Dr. Grassi. With 1991 P.F. certificate. Scott assigns a $1,250 premium for the green cancel.
5c Blackish Brown (1a). Large to huge margins including trace of adjoining stamp at left, intense shade and intermediate impression, red grid cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1847 BLACKISH BROWN SHADE.
With 1989 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (1). Ample to large margins, rich color, worn-plate impression, green numeral "5" in frame cancel of Princeton N.J.
VERY FINE. A CHOICE COMPLETE STRIKE OF THE RARE PRINCETON N.J. NUMERAL "5" GREEN CANCEL.
Ex Brown and Garrett. With 1989 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (1). Position 70R, large to huge margins including large portion of adjoining Position 80R stamp at bottom showing the Type A double transfer in top frameline, worn-plate impression, red grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Red Brown (1). Huge margins to full including sheet margin at left, brilliant color nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, ex Hansen, with 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85), SCV $465
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins, worn-plate impression, red square grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, SCV $425
5c Red Brown (1). Large even margins all around, worn-plate impression, tied by red "WAY 5" handstamp on small piece, tiny scuff at top right corner, Extremely Fine appearance, scarce and desirable marking on the 1847 Issue, ex Wagshal
5c Brown (1). Large margins to full at upper left, crisp shade, worn-plate impression, vivid red grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to ample except just in at top left, worn-plate impression, tied on small piece by blue circular grid of tiny squares cancel of Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, Very Fine, a very unusual cancel, ex Saadi and Gross, with 1991 and 2024 P.F. certificates (Fine 70), this is an inexplicably low grade for such an attractive stamp, SCV $465
5c Red Brown (1). Full even margins, bright shade, worn-plate impression, beautiful central strike of blue 8-bar rimless cancel, an unusual non-standard grid, Very Fine and choice, a desirable cancellation for the specialist, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80), SCV $465
5c Red Brown (1). Three large margins with trace of adjoining stamp at top, clear at bottom, rich color, worn-plate impression, black grid cancel and part of red datestamp, Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Margins close to just clear, bright shade, worn-plate impression, perfect complete strike of red "5" numeral cancel, small corner crease and small tear at top right, otherwise Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to ample, worn-plate impression, clear strike of small Boston "Paid" grid applied after demonetization, also pen-cancelled, tiny corner crease, still Very Fine, a scarce demonetized use, the earliest recorded use of this cancel is July 12, 1851, SCV $725 with "Paid" demonetized cancel
5c Dark Brown (1a). Huge margins all around including parts of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, worn-plate impression, light red circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge 5c 1847, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), SCV $525
5c Orange Brown (1b). Huge margins all around showing traces of two adjoining framelines, bright shade, worn-plate impression, blue grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.F. certificate (Superb 98), SCV $715
5c Orange Brown (1b). Full to large margins, distinctive shade noted as "Russet Brown, Ridgeway 13-K" on certificate, worn-plate impression, black grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown (1b). Three large margins, just in at bottom, bright Orange Brown shade and worn-plate impression, tied by boldly struck blue "WAY 6" in double-circle with fleurons waterway handstamp of Mobile, Alabama, on small blue piece
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THIS RARE WATERWAY MARKING ON THE 1847 ISSUE.
Power Search lists only two others on the 1847 Issue. Ex Knapp, Dr. Amonette, Saadi, Gross and Dr. Grassi. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large margins to clear, warm shade and worn-plate impression complemented by well-struck blue "WAY 6" in double-circle with fleurons waterway handstamp of Mobile, Alabama, small thin spot at top and light vertical crease, Very Fine strike of this extremely rare waterway marking, Power Search lists only two others on the 1847 Issue (both 5c off-cover and ex Gross), ex Gorham, with 2015 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown (1b). Described as Brown Orange, Scott 1d, on certificate but looks like Orange Brown to us, worn-plate impression, ample margins to just touched, sharp central strike of blue 4-bar grid in circle cancel, Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate as Scott 1d, SCV $715 as Orange Brown (1b)
5c Red Orange (1c). Large margins to clear, radiant color in the true Red Orange shade, worn-plate impression, neat manuscript "X" cancel with some additional writing at bottom
VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE DESIRABLE RED ORANGE COLOR.
Ex Mirsky. With 1998 and 2025 P.F. certificates. SCV $8,500 with handstamp cancel.
5c Orange Brown (1b). Remarkably bright shade and distinctive impression from the cleaned plate, showing "soft" background lines and restored detail in vignette, large margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, neat blue Troy N.Y. circular datestamp which is struck in a position that leaves Franklin's head unobscured
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE in the ORANGE BROWN shade, WITH AN ESSENTIALLY FACE-FREE CANCEL AND FROM THE CLEANED PLATE — THIS 1850 PRINTING AND SHADE ARE UNLIKE THE 1849 ORANGE BROWN IMPRESSIONS FROM THE WORN PLATE. THIS GEM IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 XQ BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The 1847 5c plate underwent significant wear during its life due to the inks used to print the stamps. The plate was cleaned in 1850, restoring much of the detail that had been lost over time. This Extremely Fine Gem example of the 1850 Orange Brown shade from the cleaned plate is unlike the earlier Orange Brown shade or impressions from the worn plate. The unobtrusive cancel, which avoids Franklin's face, adds to the tremendous eye appeal of this stamp.
Ex Koppersmith, Saadi, Gross and "Nathanael Greene". With 1986, 1991 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ). The "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality". Only three examples grade higher at the P.F. (two at 98 and one at 98J, we have never offered them). By way of comparison, 95 is the is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. SCV $700.
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large to huge margins including sheet margin at left, radiant color and cleaned-plate impression, bold strike of "5" numeral handstamp (probably Baltimore), Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
5c Orange Brown (1b). Large margins to full, bright shade, cleaned-plate impression, red "10" in circle handstamp, faint diagonal crease at bottom left, Very Fine appearance, light backstamp, with 2022 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Ample to large margins, beautiful color—in our opinion, an Orange Brown, Scott 1b—cleaned-plate impression, red Burlington Vt. circular datestamp with small red "5" integral rate, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SMQ value without premium for the red integral-rate datestamp
5c Red Brown (1). Ample margins to clear at bottom, beautiful shade that comes close to Orange Brown, cleaned-plate impression, cancelled by full central strike of blue "5" numeral cancel, Fine based on margins, but much better with the blue numeral cancel, SCV $525
5c Red Brown (1). Large to huge margins including 17mm right sheet margin, rich color, blue grid cancel and part of Louisville Ky. datestamp, cleaned-plate impression, vertical crease at far edge of sheet margin (folded over on original cover), Extremely Fine, ex Hart, Boker, Gross and Grace, accompanied by cover from which the stamp originated, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
5c Brown Orange (1d). Large margins to clear, cleaned-plate impression, radiant color nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, Very Fine, with 2000 and 2016 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (1). Rich color in Brown Orange shade and cleaned-plate impression—despite P.F. certificate calling this Red Brown, Scott 1—light red grid cancel, Fine, with 2024 P.F. certificate as Scott 1, but they got it wrong
5c Brown Orange (1d). Large to ample margins, cleaned-plate impression, bold strike of blue grid cancel, fresh and Fine, with 2012 P.F. certificate
5c Brown Orange (1d). Horizontal pair, large margins to clear, radiant color, cleaned-plate impression, each with neat strike of red grid cancel, Very Fine, 1994 P.F. certificate as Scott 1 no longer accompanies, with 2022 P.F. certificate as Scott 1d, SCV $2,000 as singles