Sale 1385 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 21-22 July, 2026
Category — 5c 1847 Issue: Recut Frameline, Double Transfers
5c Red Brown (1). Large even margins, dark shade and early impression showing the recut left frameline very clearly, neat strike of red grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of the 5c 1847 recut—this stamp with its distinctive early impression proves that the weak or broken frameline at left was recut on a few positions from the start of the 5c 1847 printings, the curved line from the slip of the engraver's tool on this particular position shows very clearly on this early impression and is not the same as the similar slip on a different recut position (1L)—this is all to say that not only is this stamp a significant plate variety in choice condition, it is also a key to understanding the composition of the 5c 1847 plate, particularly the left pane, which still presents mysteries that have not been fully explained—ex Wagshal, with 2010 P.F. certificate, SCV $1,150
5c Orange Brown (1b). With recut left frameline, large margins, brilliant color, cleaned-plate impression, neat strike of blue grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a rare example of the Orange Brown with recut frameline, with 2010 and 2017 P.F. certificates (latter graded XF 90), SCV $1,150 as ordinary Red Brown shade with recut left frameline
5c Dark Brown, Double Transfer Ty. A (1a-A). Position 80R, early impression clearly showing the double transfer in top frameline, large margins to ample, pen "X" cancel, Very Fine, unusual Dark Brown shade with the Type A Double Transfer, with 1988 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ), this was probably downgraded due to the pen cancel, as the margins are better than an 80, Scott value as handstamp-cancelled No. 1-A Red Brown
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. A (1-A). Position 80R with right sheet margin, full to ample margins on other sides, intermediate impression, clear doubling of top frameline and showing two dramatic pre-printing paper folds, red grid cancel, Very Fine, a wonderful combination of the Type A Double Transfer and pre-printing paper folds, ex Mirsky, with 1998 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)5c Red Brown, Double Transfer Ty. B (1-B). Position 90R with double transfer of top and bottom framelines, three large margins, clear at right, intermediate impression, light blue cancel and lightened pen cancel, color oxidized, otherwise Fine, with 2001 and 2023 P.F. certificates, Scott value as the double transfer
5c Red Brown, Double Transfer Ty. B (1-B). Position 90R, ample to large margins, deep rich color, clear intermediate impression showing the double transfer, light red cancel, Very Fine and choice, ex Koppersmith, Floyd and Wingate, with 1989 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)5c Brown Orange, Double Transfer Ty. B (1d-B). Position 90R, showing the clear double transfer of top and bottom framelines, full margin at left, clear other sides, bright color and cleaned-plate impression, bold strike of blue grid cancel, Very Fine, rare combination of Brown Orange color and the Type B Double Transfer, with 2012 P.F. certificate, SCV $1,040 as normal No. 1d without premium for the double transfer
5c Brown, Double Transfer Ty. E (1-E). Showing clear double transfer of "U", "Post Office" and left numeral "5", large margins, detailed intermediate impression, rich color, light strike of red New York square grid cancel leaves double transfer clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 "MOWER SHIFT" — DOUBLE TRANSFER TYPE E — OF WHICH PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN COPIES ARE KNOWN.
The so-called "Mower Shift" is named after its discoverer, the San Francisco dealer R. H. Mower. In an article discussing this rare position in the November 1976 Chronicle, Duane Garrett quotes a letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook, which states "this 'E' variety is quite scarce, much more than either the 'A' or 'B', probably due to the fact that the extra lines were not cut very deep on the plate and soon wore away."
Ex Rust and Wagshal. With 2010 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85).