Robert A Siegel is “2019 Rarities of the World” sale that will take place on 26th of June. This great auction will offer to collectors’ attention a great range of interesting philatelic items including one of the finest examples of 5c Bright Blue, special printing. This is one of the scarcest of all United States issues. Only ten specimens are recorded, one of which is in the miller collection at the New York public library leaving nine available to collectors.
In 1875 a special printing program was established by the postal administration under President Grant and was continued until the Arthur administration in 1884. This program created the 1847 Reproductions, 1857-60 Reprints, 1861-66 and 1869 Re-issues, and the Bank Note Special Printings of 1875 and 1880-83. They were printed on hard white wove paper and were issued without gum. Most of the 1875 Continental Special Printing stamps were separated by scissors, and examples showing perforations all around are very rare.
Robert A Siegel described this bright lot as follows: “without gum as issued, deep rich color on crisp paper, three extra wide margins, full at bottom.” For the condition-conscious collector this is a significant opportunity to add one of the rarest stamps in U.S. philately, without compromising on condition.
