Sale 1391 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 13-15 October, 2026
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-17)
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 9R1E, unused (no gum), bright early shade, large margin at left, ample on other sides to just into plumes at bottom, small tear at top right and larger tear at top center
FINE APPEARING UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ib IMPERFORATE -- ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES CLASSICS IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib--Positions 3-6R and 8-9R--distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away.
Apart from the original-gum block containing Scott 5 and 5A stamps, and the unused pair offered in our 2024 auction of the Gross collection, we record only ten unused examples of Scott 5A. As Ashbrook noted in his 1955 Special Service article, “A person collecting nothing but U.S. 19th in unused condition would doubtless find it most difficult to acquire a Type IB in unused condition.”
Ex Wingate. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Types I/IIIa/II (Scott 5/8A/7). Vertical combination strip with the key Type I (Scott 5) at top, Type IIIa (Scott 8A) at center, and Type II (Scott 7) at bottom, Positions 7/17/27R1E, large to huge margins at top and left including sheet margin at top above Type I and parts of adjoining stamps at left, slightly in at bottom of Type II, cut in at right, tied by three strikes of “Saint Louis Mo. Nov. 6” (1851) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to E. D. Morgan & Co. in New York City, 1851 docketing on flap, the strip is sound and the cover is in excellent condition
A HIGHLY DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1851 ONE-CENT BLUE TYPE I FROM POSITION 7R1E, SCOTT 5, CONTAINED IN A SOUND MULTIPLE USED ON COVER. THE VERTICAL STRIP WITH SCOTT 5 IS EXTREMELY RARE—ONLY TWO INTACT VERTICAL STRIPS ARE RECORDED (BOTH ARE STRIPS OF THREE ON COVER) AND THIS IS THE ONLY STRIP THAT IS SOUND.
The intended 1c 1851 Issue design, as evidenced by proofs of the original die engraving, has an elaborate ornamental border on all four sides. However, during the process of creating the plates used to print the stamps, changes were introduced that affected how much of the outer design appeared on the printed image. These changes occurred during the creation of the reliefs on the transfer rolls; during the process of using the transfer roll to enter the recess-engraved subjects on the plates; from burnishing, recutting and re-entering subjects on the plates; and, from plate wear as thousands of impressions were made.
The 1c 1851 stamps were particularly prone to variation, because the basic design was very large, and the printers responsible for making the plates had difficulty fitting the 200 subjects on the steel plate (arranged in two panes of 100, ten by ten, with a gap between the panes). Missing elements of the design were typical of the 200 positions on each of the four plates used to print imperforate stamps. The last plate used to print imperforate stamps, Plate 4, was made in anticipation of introducing perforations, and the spaces between subjects were slightly enlarged.
All of the work performed by the plate printers at Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. resulted in the stamps that philatelists later studied, analyzed and categorized by “type.” Stanley B. Ashbrook’s study of the 1c 1851-57 Issue, published in 1936 in a two-volume magnum opus, established the basis for the way generations of collectors have collected the 1c Blue stamps. The Scott Catalogue numbers assigned to the different imperforate stamps reflect Ashbrook’s system of types, based on the completeness of the design (Scott 5, 5A, 6, 7), breaks in the top and bottom lines (Scott 8, 8A), and the enhancement of the engravings on Plate 1 through recutting (Scott 9).
Ashbrook established Type I (Scott 5) as the printed design that comes closest to the original die design. The presence of the top ornaments, the bottom plumes and scrolls, and essentially full side ornaments are the defining characteristics of Type I. Ashbrook found only one position among the 1,000 subjects on the four plates (plus the reworked “late” state of Plate 1) that met these criteria: Position 7 in the right pane of Plate 1 in its early state (7R1E). The fact that only one position in one thousand meets the Type I criteria is why Scott 5 is so rare. All 999 other positions are other types.
Scott 5 can be collected as a single stamp or as part of a multiple. The consequence of collectors historically mounting a single stamp in an album space is the decimation of multiples containing the coveted Type I. Pairs and strips have been cut apart to produce a single album-ready example of Scott 5, leaving fewer multiples today than there were years ago. Unused examples of Scott 5, which were printed in 1851 for the first release of the new 1c stamps in July 1851, are extremely rare (only three are recorded, including one in an irregularly shaped block of eight). Among the used off-cover stamps, the census records just six pairs and three horizontal strips of three, each containing one Scott 5. Multiples on cover include two pairs (one horizontal and one vertical), an L-shaped strip, six horizontal strips of three, and two vertical strips of three—for a total of eleven covers with Scott 5 contained in multiples. Of the two vertical strips on cover (none known off cover), the other is repaired, leaving the strip offered here as the only recorded sound vertical strip containing Scott 5 on or off cover.
The Type I stamp in the strip offered here shows the key elements at the top right, top left and bottom left. Only the bottom right is affected by the separation cut. Based on the vertical format and the leftward shift of the cuts, it seems likely that this strip was separated into long strips using a ruler or blade, and then the three stamps were cut from the strip. This method of separation is evident in multiples of 5c and 10c stamps postmarked at the New Orleans post office in the 1850s.
The addressee, Edwin Denison Morgan (1811-1883), was a successful wholesale grocer and bond broker. He was one of the founding members of the Republican Party and became governor of New York, serving from 1859 to 1862. As a progressive on education, prison reform, and women’s suffrage, Morgan became a staunch supporter of Abraham Lincoln as president. In 1863 Morgan was elected to the U.S. Senate.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Waud, Hackmey and Gross. Wagshal census no. 5-COV-088 (available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/5). With 2006 and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value $180,000 for a cover with strip of three containing Scott 5.
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 3R1E, huge margins to full all around with portion of Position 2R1E (a Type II) at left, beautiful bright Plate 1 Early color, face-free blue circular datestamp cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE TYPE Ib, WITH A FACE-FREE BLUE TOWN CANCEL — GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp from Plate 1 Early. Six positions on Plate 1E furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib—Positions 3-6R and 8-9R—distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were ironed out when the entries were made below them. These top-row positions usually have an ample top margin, but frequently the margins are close or cutting into the sides or bottom. A Type Ib stamp with large margins all around is a great rarity, particularly in sound condition.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Dr. Grassi. With 2001 P.F. certificate. With 2008 and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98, last offered by us in our 2012 Kirke sale) and three others share this desirable grade. We have offered at least three of the other four 95/98 stamps and this is the only one with both a blue and face-free cancel.
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 97R4, unused with part original gum called "traces" on accompanying certificate, but appears to us to be a bit more than traces, rich Plate 4 color, full margins to just into plumes and scrolls at bottom but easily identifiable type characteristics, faint toning near top, certificate also mentions light soiling which is not evident
FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE — ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT CLASSIC STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April, May and briefly in June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate (Ia, Ic, II, III and IIIa). The rare Type Ia, showing the full design at bottom, was furnished only by 18 of the 200 subjects on Plate 4 (the remaining two bottom-row positions were sub-type Ic).
Ex Wingate. With 1998 P.F. certificate. Scott value $45,000 with original gum, $20,000 as no gum.
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 2, unused (no gum), huge margin at left and large at right, just clear at top and bottom, light diagonal crease at bottom, Very Fine appearance, with 1978 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, unused (no gum), full margins to just in at right, rich color, couple tiny thin specks are barely evident and certificate also mentions "soiled" which is no longer evident, Fine appearance and scarce unused example, with 1985 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Position 74R4, large margins to just in at left, clearly showing the Type III breaks, circular datestamp cancel, Very Good, with photocopy of 2006 P.S.E. certificate for pair
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 4, original gum, margins to touched but clearly showing the break at top and complete line at bottom, few scattered toned spots, Fine appearing and scarce original-gum example of the 1c Ty. IIIa, ex Curtis
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Positions 17-18R4, horizontal pair, three large margins, just in at bottom, deep dark color, light circular datestamp cancel, left stamp with light vertical crease, appears Fine, with Ashbrook "Type IIIa" note in pencil on back and 2001 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa-II (8A-7). Positions 11-12L1E, left stamp Type IIIa, full margins to just in, lovely Plate One Early color, grid cancels, light creases, Fine appearance, scarce combination pair
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Pos. 79L1L, recut twice at top and twice at bottom (only two such recuts on plate), original gum which we would call slightly disturbed but described as "previously hinged" on accompanying certificate and "lightly hinged" in Floyd sale, large margins, Extremely Fine, ex Floyd, with 1998 P.F. certificate
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Original gum, large margins to ample, brilliant color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 3-CENT TYPE II ORANGE BROWN.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex "Adventurer". With 2019 P.F. certificate (VF 80). With 2008 and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80). Only two grade higher and four share this grade. SCV $3,250.
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Original gum, lightly hinged, huge margins to clear including significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, rich color and proof-like impression
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 3-CENT TYPE II IMPERFORATE ORANGE BROWN.
Due to the narrow spacing on the plate, this issue rarely comes with margins as large as the stamp offered here. This should be considered a true condition rarity.
Ex Chapin, "Scarsdale", "Laila" and Curtis. With 1979 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Position 91L4, huge margins including part of adjoining stamp at right and bottom left corner sheet margins, radiant color, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Eubanks and "Penguin", with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Plate 4 with huge right interpane margin and centerline, other sides large to ample including portions of adjoining stamps at top and especially at bottom, disturbed original gum, Extremely Fine example showing the extra wide interpane margin from Plate 4, SCV $250
3c 1856 Orange Brown, Ty. I (11 var). Position 23L8, original gum, h.r., large margins to in at top, brilliant color in the distinct 1856 Orange Brown, fresh and Fine, an extremely rare stamp, especially in original-gum condition, we have not encountered another since keeping computerized records, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Hulme, with 2025 P.F. certificate and with signed notecard from Dr. Amonette stating "An Ext. Fine example of the very rare 1856 Orange Brown from Plate 8 position 23L8"
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Position 91L5L, original gum, large margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at top, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.A.G. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (both OGph, XF-Superb 95), only seven grade higher at P.S.E. and two others share this desirable grade
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Vertical pair, original gum, huge margins including portions of six adjoining stamps, some slight oxidation, still Extremely Fine, with clear 2016 P.F. certificate
3c Pinkish, Ty. II (11A var). Position 3L5L, showing double transfer, brilliant glowing color in the true Pinkish shade, full margins to just clear at upper right, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A WONDERFUL AND VIVID 3-CENT 1851 PINKISH IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex James Allen. With 2025 P.F. certificate identifying the stamp as No. 11 (if the plating of 5L is correct it must be 11A). Accompanied by a signed notecard from Dr. Amonette stating "Very fine example of the rare 1856 'PINK' shade that matches a deep 'PINK' shade identified by Dr. Chase for me".
3c Dull Yellow Brown, Ty. II (11A var). Position 91R2L, large to enormous margins including bottom left corner sheet margins and centerline, deep rich color, light strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp in every respect, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate as the normal Dull Red (Superb 98 Jumbo), Dr. Amonette signed a note on the certificate confirming his interpretation of the shade as Dull Yellow Brown and we defer to that here
3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A var). Huge margins to full including top left corner interpane margins with centerline and part of adjoining stamp at right, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, neat strike of "Winchester Ct. Apr. 6" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb and striking stamp, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex "Penguin" and Dr. Grassi
5c Red Brown (12). Unused (no gum), full margins to barely touched at left, deep rich color
VERY FINE AND RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound and unused condition. The spacing between stamps is very narrow — in some cases only 1.2 millimeters wide. This left little margin for error when separating the stamps, and it explains why so few examples are known with four margins.
With 2004 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (12). Full to large margins, rich color, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2022 P.S.A.G. certificate (VF-XF 85)
5c Red Brown (12). Horizontal pair, large margins to clear, bright shade, neat strike of "Yankee Jim's (Cal.) Apr. 3" circular datestamp, in prior sales we noted a faint vertical crease in the right stamp but it is barely detectable, does not flash when drying and it is not noted on the P.F. certificate (which was issued with their full knowledge of our auction description)
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE WITH THE YANKEE JIM'S DATESTAMP CANCEL. EXAMPLES USED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OTHER THAN NEW ORLEANS OR NEW YORK ARE SCARCE, AND THIS PAIR FROM THE WEST COAST IS RARE.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Waterhouse, Mayer, "Golden Oak", Eubanks and Dr. Grassi. With clear 2021 P.F. certificate.
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Position 99R1 with Curl in left “X” variety, original gum, large sheet margin at bottom and large even margins on other sides, deep rich color, faint corner margin crease at lower left not noted on either certificate
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I IMPERFORATE WITH BOTTOM SHEET MARGIN.
10c Type I stamps come from the bottom 20 positions of Plate 1. They are the only stamps to show the nearly complete “shell” at bottom right. For no apparent reason, many imperforate Type I stamps have the sheet margin at bottom trimmed away, leaving a paucity of quality examples. The Type IV (Scott 16) stamps come from only eight positions, but we would rank the two types equally in terms of the rarity of sound, four-margin, original-gum copies. The stamp offered here was featured in the 1956 Caspary and 1967 Lilly sales, and it has only one or two rivals.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Caspary, Lilly, Chapin and Gross. With clear 1967 and 2024 P.F. certificates.
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Original gum, huge bottom sheet margin, large margin at right to touched at left, rich color, small filled thin spot
FINE APPEARING AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM SHEET MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE I, WHICH WAS FURNISHED ONLY BY THE BOTTOM ROW OF THE PLATE.
Type I stamps come from the bottom 20 positions of the plate. They are the only stamps to show the design complete at bottom. For some reason the sheet margin at bottom was often trimmed away, leaving a dearth of copies with the crucial design element completely present. The Type IV stamps (Scott 16) come from only eight positions, but we would rank the two types equally in terms of the rarity of sound original-gum copies.
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate stating "with tiny expertly filled thin".
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Large margins all around, deep rich color, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 10c Type I, which comes only from the bottom row of Plate 1, with 1997 P.F. and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only nine used examples grade higher, SCV $750
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, full margins to huge at bottom with portion of adjoining stamp, light soiling, appears Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Enormous margins all around, exceptionally deep and rich color, sharp proof-like impression, face-free strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Twigg-Smith, with 1988, 2004 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large margins all around, rich color, neat circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Horizontal pair, full margins and deep rich color, light circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine, with 1974 and 1999 P.F. certificates
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Original gum, large margins and rich color, most recent certificate states "natural horizontal bend at upper left and faint soiling in vignette", these are indeed trivial issues and not mentioned on older certificates
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Clear 1993 P.S.E. certificate no longer accompanies. With 1992 and 2007 P.F. certificates as described above.
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Original gum, h.r., huge top margin, ample to clear on other sides, sealed tear at left, Fine appearance, scarce in original-gum condition, purple backstamp
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, original gum, large margins to full at top, rich color, faint horizontal crease at bottom mostly in margin
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV IMPERFORATE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES UNUSED STAMPS.
The 10c 1855 Type IV stamps are defined by the recut of one or both outer lines at the top or bottom of the design. Type IV stamps come from only seven scattered positions on the left pane and one position on the right pane of Plate 1. Therefore, only 4% of the stamps from Plate 1 are Type IV. Scott 16 is extremely rare in original-gum condition. Essentially all of the fewer than ten original-gum examples we have offered since keeping computerized records in 1993 are affected by faults, only part gum, or both.
Ex Hall. With 1999 P.S.E. certificate.
12c Black (17). Original gum, lightly hinged, full to ample margins to full, crisp impression
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Large to huge margins including traces of adjoining stamps at left and right, clear impression, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)