Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — 1851-56 Issue: 1c (Scott 6-9)
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 95R4, F Relief with Curl in "C" of "CENTS", part original gum, large margins to barely touched at bottom right including trace of adjoining stamp at left, deep rich Plate 4 color
VERY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE — ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, 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 Simon (Sale 292). With 1964 P.F. certificate. Scott value with original gum.
Certificate
1964 PF No. 20020 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. Ic (6b). Position 96R4, F Relief with Curl in "C" of "CENTS", large part original gum which covers nearly the entire back, three large margins, just in at bottom, deep rich color
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ic FROM THE BOTTOM ROW OF PLATE 4. ONLY TWO POSITIONS IN THE BOTTOM ROW FURNISHED THE MORE DISTINCT EXAMPLES OF TYPE Ic.
The defining characteristics of Type Ic (imperforate or perforated) are similar to that of Type Ia. In both the design is complete at bottom and partly complete at top. The difference between Type Ia and Ic is that the bottom right plume of Type Ic is not quite complete. This distinction was first made in the Ashbrook and Neinken books, and the Scott Catalogue recognizes Type Ic in the listings for Scott 6b (imperforate) and 19b (perforated).
Within the Type Ic listings, the "less distinct examples" on the plate—E Reliefs from eight positions in rows 1 through 9—are the primary listed stamps for Scott 6b and 19b. Down the column, the "best examples" on the plate—both F Reliefs from the bottom row, Positions 91R4 and 96R4—are listed and valued higher. This is somewhat confusing for collectors. In our opinion, the primary listing should be the best examples, the F Reliefs from the bottom row, where all Type Ia positions are located. The E Relief positions should be listed on the next line.
A Power Search review found no other Scott 6b stamps in unused condition offered in our Rarities sales and auctions since 1994. The P.F. records also do not contain any others. The other example of Scott 6b offered in this sale as lot 1066 comes from the E Relief (Position 81R4); it is cleaned and has a small sealed tear.
The stamp offered here was sold in our 1981 Rarities sale and again on behalf of that buyer in our Sale 1150 in 2017. For collectors looking for unused examples of rare Scott numbers, this is an outstanding opportunity.
With 1981 and 2017 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. Ic (6b). Position 81R4, E Relief with Curl on Shoulder, unused (no gum), ample margins to just in at top right where corner clipped, cleaned, small sealed tear at top
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE TYPE Ic.
The only other Scott 6b in unused condition we have located is offered in the previous lot. The P.F. records also do not contain any others. This stamp comes from an E Relief position (81R4).
With 1999 P.S.E. certificate.
Certificate
1999 PSE No. 35129 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Positions 91-92L1E, horizontal pair, left stamp triple transfer, one inverted, disturbed original gum, huge margins all around including bottom left corner sheet margins, gorgeous bright Plate 1 Early shade, tiny corner crease in bottom left sheet margin so far on the perimeter it is not mentioned on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE ONE EARLY, CONTAINING POSITION 91L1E, THE ONLY TRIPLE TRANSFER AMONG THE THREE INVERTED TRANSFER POSITIONS ON PLATE ONE EARLY.
The inverted transfers on Positions 71L, 81L and 91L1E were made after the top row of the right pane of Plate 1 Early was entered from the Type I single-relief transfer roll. According to Richard Celler's theory (see Siegel Encyclopedia at https://siegelauctions.com/legacy/1c1851.pdf), the three inverted transfers were made from a Type I design 3-relief transfer roll as a sort of trial after the top row entries had been made and the plate was turned around 180 degrees. When another plate ("Plate 0") had to be discarded, the siderographer returned to Plate 1 and erased the three inverted transfers before completing the plate with entries surrounding 3R to 10R. Positions 71L and 81L are double transfers. Position 91L was entered a total of three times, so it is a triple transfer, one inverted. When the plate was reworked in 1852, 71L and 81L were re-entered (but not 91L), making them all triple transfers, one inverted.
Ex Cunliffe and Vogel. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott value $2,500 as singles.
Certificate
2009 PF No. 479960 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 1 Late (7 var). Position 4R1L, original gum, lightly hinged, large even margins, rich color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II FROM PLATE 1 LATE. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE SOLD SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Position 4R was a Type Ib position on Plate 1 Early. When Plate 1 was reworked by re-entering subjects from the transfer roll and strengthening the tops and bottoms of 199 of the 200 positions, only 4R1L was left without any form of recut. 4R became Type II because some of the design at the bottom was burnished away. However, 4R on Plate 1 Late still shows the complete design at top, and has a strong double transfer from re-entries made when the plate was reworked. Examples of 4R1L are very scarce, and unused copies are rare. This original-gum example is an important rarity for the 1851 Issue specialist. A review of our auction records with Power Search produced a small number of unused examples. Only one other original-gum 4R1L turned up, but it is cut into the design at right. An unused pair (no gum) with positions 4R-5R1L was sold in our Hampshire sale (Sale 983). One is contained in the intact pane of 100 but that has no gum. There must be others outside the present scope of our database, but clearly this is an extremely rare item.
Ex Wagshal. With 1988 and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85).
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Plate 2, huge margins all around including large portion of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, deep rich color, light strike of blue cancel (appears unused at first glance), small scissors-cut in upper left margin, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate
Certificate
2004 PSE No. 00122499 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 3 (7). Position 90R3 with major double transfer at bottom, unused (no gum), full even margins, deep shade and sharp impression showing double transfer lines, diagonal crease at bottom left corner, Extremely Fine appearance, a rare unused example from Plate 3 with a major double transfer, the Neinken book (page 227) discusses the presence of five major double transfers in the tenth vertical row of Plate 3 Right, indicating that Toppan, Carpenter experienced problems entering the first column on Plate 3, ex Neinken and Wagshal, the double transfer is listed but unpriced in unused condition, Scott value for normal Plate 3 position with original gum
1c Blue, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 12½ (7 var). Position 19L2, part original gum described on accompanying certificate as "original gum", fresh color, slight soiling, small flaw at bottom not mentioned on certificate
FINE APPEARANCE AND RARE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS, AND THE ONLY ONE WITH ANY ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE.
The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerry Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12½ gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). The other unused example is offered in the following lot and has a lightened stain spot at left and some ink on back barely showing thru.
Ex Karash and Wagshal. With 1974 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1974 PF No. 42881 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 12½ (7 var). Plate 2, unused (no gum), fresh color, full perforations all around, small lightened stain spot at left and some ink on back barely shows thru
FINE APPEARANCE AND RARE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS.
The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12½ gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 17 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 3 used on covers, 12 used off cover (including a strip of three).
With 2001 P.F. certificate (stating "small lightened stain spot at top left, and manuscript ink on the reverse bleeding through to the face at bottom right"). The other unused example, with original gum, slight soiling and small flaw at bottom, is offered in the previous lot.
Certificate
2001 PF No. 0376660 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, unused with traces of original gum, large even margins, deep rich color, small thin spot at left center and another at upper right edge
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT IMPERFORATE TYPE III, WITH CLEAR AND DISTINCT BREAKS IN OUTER LINES AT TOP AND BOTTOM — THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TYPE.
Type III is defined by breaks in the outer lines at both top and bottom. Many Type III stamps have breaks that were created or enlarged by plate wear. Since the wear occurred over a period of time, a majority of stamps of this type (both unused and used) have small breaks in at least one line. The most notable exception is Position 99R2, which has the widest breaks of any Type III position, due to the short transfer during plate entry.
From our 2008 Rarities sale. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value $22,500 with original gum and $6,500 as no gum.
Certificate
2007 PSE No. 01145990 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. III, Position 99R2 (8). Unused (no gum), three large margins showing the wide breaks at top and bottom, just in at left, bright color, lightly creased and cleaned to remove staining noted on 1952 P.F. certificate
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE III FROM POSITION 99R2. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Plate 2 was made in late 1855 and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that is Type IIIa (100R2). Guide dots were used to accurately enter the subjects on the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book).
A Power Search review demonstrates how rare this is in unused condition. Only four singles are known in sound original-gum condition, and we have offered only seven unused singles (with or without gum) since keeping computerized records.
With 1952 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1952 PF No. 3803 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 1E, A Relief, unused (no gum), large margins including trace of adjoining stamps at top, left and bottom, deep rich color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IIIa, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO AN UNUSED EXAMPLE.
Type IIIa is defined as having a break in the outer line at either top or bottom. The stamp offered here, with huge margins, is an outstanding example of the type, as it clearly shows the bottom line complete and the top line with a wide break. The P.S.E. Population Report contains one with original gum graded 90 (Sale 1199, lot 1025, realized $16,500 hammer) and also one with gum graded 50. For no gum, there is one at 85, one at 90 and this sole example graded XF-Superb 95.
With 1981 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (NG; XF-Superb 95).
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 79L1L, recut twice at top and bottom, original gum, large margins to clear, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice original-gum example of one of two positions on the plate recut twice at top and bottom, ex Caspary and Lehman, with 2003 P.F. certificate
Certificate
2003 PF No. 0405112 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, original gum, h.r., large even margins including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, deep rich color, certificate states slightly soiled but we think it is a light gum soak, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1983 PF No. 0125308 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 97L1L with major double transfer which is especially noticeable at bottom, recut at top, original gum, ample margins to just touched, thin at bottom, small fault at top not noted on certificate, otherwise Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
Certificate
2000 PSE No. 46263 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 71L1L, triple transfer, one inverted, recut twice at top and once at bottom (only four such recuts on plate), original gum, h.r., large margins including part of left sheet margin which shows many lines of the inverted transfer vignette, deep rich color and unusually sharp impression (clearly an early printing from Plate 1 Late), bright and fresh paper, Extremely Fine, a beautiful original-gum example of one of the triple transfer/one inverted positions on Plate One Late, ex Vogel, with 2011 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
Certificate
2011 PF No. 494081 Graded 85 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 81L1L, triple transfer, one inverted, recut once at top, original gum, large margins to huge including left sheet margin and part of adjoining stamp at top, light diagonal crease at upper left, 2mm scissors-cut at bottom right entirely in margin, still Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75), a grade based on margins alone would be higher, SCV $900
Certificate
2008 PSE No. 01180583 Graded 75 View Cert
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9 var). Position 91L1L, triple transfer, one inverted, recut once at top, unused (no gum), large margins to clear, intense shade and impression, Very Fine unused example of this desirable position, with 1990 P.F. certificate, unpriced as no gum, Scott value with gum
Certificate
1990 PF No. 0232447 View Cert