The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps continued...

FINE. THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN IS AN EXTREMELY RARE STAMP WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND SINGLE WITH ORIGINAL GUM WE HAVE OFFERED IN OVER TEN YEARS OF AUCTIONS. ONE OF THE GREATEST UNHERALDED ORIGINAL-GUM RARITIES OF CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

The perforated 5c 1856” Red Brown (Scott 28) stamps were made from the stock of imperforate stamps on hand in 1857 when perforations were introduced. Since these were the first 5c stamps to be put through the perforating machine, they were the first to be used, and very few unused examples survive, especially with original gum.

In the past ten years we have offered over 120,000 auction lots of primarily U.S. stamps. During that time, we have offered only one other single with original gum and the block in the following lot. In our opinion, the Scott Catalogue value for Scott 28 with original gum is far too low. The number of original-gum Scott 28 singles falls somewhere between the numbers for the Brick Red (Scott 27) and the Indian Red (Scott 28A), which catalogue $80,000.00 and $175,000.00, respectively. However, since so few have traded hands in the past ten years and since collectors are generally unaware of how rare this issue is with original gum, the catalogue value has remained largely unchanged.

Ex Golin. With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 5-CENT RED BROWN 1857 ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS IS CERTAINLY THE FINEST BLOCK IN EXISTENCE, AND IS ONE OF ONLY TWO KNOWN TO US WITH ORIGINAL GUM.

We are aware of only four original-gum blocks: 1) the block offered here, ex Hind, Ward and Klein, 2) block of six, s.e. at bottom, ex Caspary and offered in our 1992 Rarities sale, and 3-4) block of nine illustrated in the Hill book, without gum, and since broken up into two blocks of four.

Ex Hind, Ward and Klein. With 1988 and 2006 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT INDIAN RED ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST ORIGINAL-GUM STAMPS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY -- ONLY THREE INDIAN RED STAMPS WITH ANY AMOUNT OF GUM ARE CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS.

Our search of old auction catalogues and the records of the Philatelic Foundation yielded only ten unused examples of Scott 28A. Of these, only four have been described as having any gum whatsoever. These are: 1) the stamp offered here, previously in the 1941 C. A. Brown sale by Harmer, Rooke & Co. where described as "full original gum", also ex 1968 Rarities sale and A. T. Seymour Collection (Siegel Sale 373, Apr. 23, 1970, lot 35) where described as "large part original gum" and 2005 Rarities sale (lot 102, realized $75,000 hammer), 2) the "Ambassador" copy (Siegel Sale 300, Apr. 27, 1966, lot 45A), described as part original gum, also ex Argentum (Siegel Sale 807, Feb. 23, 1999, lot 76) where described as "unused (traces of gum)", 3) the Caspary/Lilly copy, described in both catalogues as full original gum and with light horizontal crease, offered in our auction of the Hoffman Collection (Siegel Sale 956, lot 35, realized $180,000 hammer), and 4) the example offered in our sale of the Alan Geisler Collection, where described as part original gum, a light diagonal crease and two small corner creases at top right (Siegel Sale 929, lot 47, realized $110,000 hammer).

Ex C. A. Brown and Seymour. With 1968 and 2005 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1857 ISSUE IN THE DEEP BROWN SHADE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.

Due to the narrow spacing between subjects on the first 5c plate, many of the stamps have the outer projections touched or cut into by the perforations. A Power Search review of our records shows that we have offered only eleven other original-gum examples of this stamp since 1994. Of these, perhaps two would rate the grade of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. The example offered here, with full original gum, deep rich color, full perforations and with balanced margins, is a true condition rarity.

With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR IS THE FINEST OF THE THREE IN EXISTENCE AND IS A STUNNING SHOWPIECE. THIS REMARKABLE BLOCK WAS FEATURED ON THE FRONT COVER OF PART TWO OF THE WALTER KLEIN COLLECTION, BEATING OUT SUCH CONTENDERS AS A BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE AND A BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE FOR THE HONOR.

This block is important for several reasons. In several of our past catalogue descriptions, we have stated that due to the narrow spacing on the plate, many examples of Type I are either touched or badly cutting into the design. There is no better way to demonstrate this fact than with a multiple. This block is also important because it is one of the last surviving classic U.S. multiples with well-centered stamps. Virtually all have been broken to feed the demand for high-quality singles.

There are only three blocks of four of the 5c Brown. Amazingly, all were owned by Walter Klein. They are: 1) the block offered here, sound, each stamp well-centered, ex Worthington, Sinkler, Ward and Klein, 2) block of four with bottom right stamp showing the transfer flaw, slight reinforcement, tiny nick in perf hole at top left, ex Caspary, Klein and Zoellner, and 3) block of four with bottom right stamp showing the transfer flaw, perfs either into or touching design on right stamps, ex Caspary, Lehman and Klein.

With 1988 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN. SCARCE IN SUCH EXQUISITE CONDITION.

With 1980 and 1989 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 1861 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN. THIS IS THE SECOND LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THIS ISSUE -- IT IS IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THE LARGER BLOCK. THE CENTER STAMP, WITH SUPERIOR CENTERING AND MINT NEVER-HINGED ORIGINAL GUM, IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.

Although a relatively large number of 5c Orange Browns reached collectors from unused supplies left over after the issue was demonetized due to the Civil War, multiples are scarce, and most have been broken to feed the market's desire for singles. The largest recorded multiple is a block of 32 with selvage at top and right (offered in our 2001 Rarities sale). This is the only recorded block of nine, which is the second largest recorded multiple.

Ex Caspary and Stanitz. With 1975 and 2006 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as block of four, strip of three and pair. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1860 5-CENT TYPE II BROWN IS RARE IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Unlike its Orange Brown counterpart, the 5c Type II in Brown was not on hand in post offices when the 1861 demonetization order took effect. Therefore, original-gum examples of Scott 30A are far scarcer than Scott 30. The narrow spacing between subjects on the plate, as well as Toppan Carpenter's imprecise perforating, leaves collectors with very few well-centered original-gum examples.

Ex Caspary. With 1984 and 1995 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1860 5-CENT TYPE II CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS. A MARVELOUS SHOWPIECE.

The Brown Type II is far rarer in multiples than the Orange Brown, because unlike the 1861 Orange Brown, the earlier printing in Brown was not left in Southern post offices when the issue was demonetized in August 1861. The largest recorded multiple is a block of nine with plate no. and imprint at left., followed by one horizontal block of six (creased thru bottom three stamps) and approximately a half-dozen blocks of four. Photos of most of the known blocks can be located on our website using Power Search, which will provide visual confirmation of the superior centering of this block.

Ex Caspary, Hetherington and Ishikawa. With 1957, 1993 and 2003 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-CENT TYPE I WITH WIDE SHEET SELVAGE AND UNUSUALLY CHOICE CENTERING. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM COPIES IN EXISTENCE.

Type I stamps are only found on the 20 stamps that comprise the bottom row of the plate. Due to narrow spacing on the plate and difficulties in aligning the perforating machine, stamps at the bottom of the plate usually have perforations cutting into the bottom portion of the design. This is a negative, because Type I is defined as having the design complete at bottom. The population of stamps showing the characteristic available to collectors is extremely limited, especially when other factors such as gum and soundness are taken into consideration.

A review using Power Search shows exactly how rare this stamp is in such superior condition. We have offered only one other in sound original-gum and centered condition in the past 15 years. The presence of the sheet selvage on this Type I stamp is an extraordinary bonus.

Ex U.S. Trust Co. sale, Southern Cross and Weisman. With 1991 P.F. and 1993 P.S.E. certificates. Offered to the market for the first time in ten years. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. IN OUR OPINION THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE PERFORATED 1857 10-CENT TYPE II IN EXISTENCE -- IT IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THE COLOR IS STUNNING, THE PAPER IS BRIGHT AND FRESH, AND THE CENTERING AND MARGINS ARE PHENOMENAL.

A review using Power Search, and also a review of our library's auction catalogues, surprised us. Perhaps the availability of 10c 1857 Type II and Type III stamps caused us to assume that the original-gum population is greater than it really is. However, as we looked more closely, we found very few original-gum singles. Virtually all have small flaws (creases being the most common) or are off center. There are several multiples containing Type II stamps in combination with Type III, but all seemed to contain either defective or off-center stamps and would not yield even one sound, well-centered hinged copy.

This is the first time we have had reason to do the research, simply because we have not offered a well-centered and sound copy since 1999, and even that stamp paled in comparison to the one offered here. This stamp, with its pristine Mint N.H. original gum, beautiful color, bright paper and wide margins, has emerged as one of our favorites in this collection of many extraordinary stamps.

With 1990 and 2000 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

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