Lot 4
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St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 5¢ black on gray lilac (11X4), large margins to just touching outer frameline at left, pen cancelled, creases at bottom and 4mm closed tear at left, Fine appearing.
Scott $45,000
A PRESENTATABLE EXAMPLE OF THE RAREST 5¢ ST. LOUIS BEAR PROVISIONAL.
Expertization: 1993 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. Certificates, latter graded FR 10.
The St Louis Bear stamps were printed from a single plate of six subjects that was modified twice to change the denominations of two positions. The rarity of the 5¢ on gray lilac paper derives from the use of gray lilac paper in only a portion of the printing from the second state of the plate. The first state of the plate contained three 5¢ and three 10¢ stamps. In the second state, two of the 5¢ positions were replaced with the new 20¢ value, leaving only one position to produce a 5¢ stamp. Therefore, at least in terms of the number produced, the 5¢ on gray lilac is twice as rare as the 20¢.
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