Robert A Siegel is to conduct its “Gem-Quality United States Stamps” auction on 1-2 May. The sale will offer to collectors’ attention an extensive range of US philatelic material in unused and used condition. The vast majority of the stamps in this sale have claimed top or near-top grades in centering and condition. One of the brightest lots that will be offered at this auction is 1c Blue Position 7R1E that is one of the most difficult of all classic United States Stamps to find in sound condition. This stamp is also the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills. 1c Blue Position 7R1E is expected to fetch more than $65,000.
The origin of the various types of the 1¢ 1851 arose from the last-minute discovery that the engraved design for the stamp was simply a bit too tall to fit onto the standard printing plate. That is why the plate maker had to erase a bit of the top, the bottom or both from each subject on the plate in order to make enough room for all 200 subjects. The only position, 7R1E, escaped the erasing process. It is estimated only 100 or so have survived. The auction house described this lot as follows: “large margins to just barely in, including sheet margin at top, bright Plate 1 Early shade, detailed impression, bold strike of black New York square grid cancel, completely sound”.
Let’s follow this auction to see its exciting results!
