Sale 1391 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 13-15 October, 2026
Category — 1847 Issue and 1875 Reproduction of 1847 Issue (Scott 1-4)
5c Red Brown (1). Original gum, h.r., full to ample margins except just touching at bottom center where margin is slightly uneven, intermediate impression, light horizontal crease at bottom, Fine appearing and attractive original-gum example
5c Dark Brown (1a). Large part original gum which covers the majority of the back, beautiful early impression showing every fine line of the original engraving, very deep Dark Brown shade, large even margins all around
EXTREMELY FINE gEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 EARLY IMPRESSION DARK BROWN, WITH LARGE MARGINS AND INCREDIBLY FRESH COLOR, GRADED XF 90 XQ BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
In recent years we have been specifying the state of the 5c 1847 impression—early, intermediate, worn and cleaned plate. The 5c plate underwent significant wear due to the nature of inks used, and stamps can vary dramatically based not only in color, but also in impression. The grading services do not take impression into account when assigning numerical grades, but when it comes to eye appeal, we believe impression can be just as important as margin size.
This early impression 5c is in a rich Dark Brown, with large even margins, When we offered this stamp in a 2024 sale on behalf of an estate, where it had rested dormant for many years, it received a P.F. certificate as Red Brown. We believed at the time that the certificate was in error, and subsequent to that sale the P.F. reconsidered its opinion, taking advantage of comparable color examples. In 2026 the P.F. amended its opinion to confirm the Dark Brown, Scott 1a, shade. While XF 90 XQ is a lofty grade for an original gum 5c 1847 in any shade and impression, this early impression stamp is superb beyond its strict numerical grade.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2026 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality". This is the only XF 90 grade the P.F. has certified, with only one higher at 95.
5c Brown Orange (1d). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, worn-plate impression, large to full margins and clear at lower right, two tiny pinholes and horizontal crease
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE BROWN ORANGE SHADE.
Of the five major listed shade varieties of the 5c 1847 Issue, other than the enormously rare Red Orange shade, the Brown Orange shade is the most challenging to find with original gum. This is underscored by the fact that the Scott Catalogue does not even price an example with original gum.
With 2002 P.F. certificate for a vertical pair in the Red Brown shade and stating Mint N.H. With 2025 P.F. certificate noting the shade as Brown Orange and previously hinged. Scott 1d is unpriced with original gum in Scott. Using the same multiplier for gum vs. no gum for the basic Scott 1 shade ($2,100 vs. $6,000), this would catalogue $12,850 with gum.
10c Black (2). Showing horizontal line thru face, unused (no gum), full to large margins all around, light horizontal crease at edge of top margin only, one of two certificates also mentions light toning but this is barely evident
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
With 1990 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificates, the latter noting the Line thru Face variety, which is unlisted in Scott (the similar line thru "F" of "Office" is listed).
5c Red Brown (1). Full to large margins, rich color and intermediate impression, red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown (1). Eleven, range of shades, cancels include red grid, red town, black, blue grid, one appears unused, several with four margins, some faults, overall Fine-Very Fine appearance, one with P.F. certificate
10c Black (2). Full to mostly large margins, intense shade complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 1982 and 2022 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown, Reproduction (3). Without gum as issued, choice full to large margins, rich color on blued paper, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SCV $1,000
10c Black, Reproduction (4). Without gum as issued, full even margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SCV $1,300
10c Black, Reproduction (4). Without gum as issued, full to large margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine