Lot 33
o
St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 5¢ black on gray lilac (11X4), type III, position 5, large to huge margins, manuscript cancellation, detailed impression. Fresh and Very Fine.
Scott $25,000
ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN OFF-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE FIVE-CENT "BEAR" ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. THE WEILL BROTHERS’ STOCK HAD ONLY ONE EXAMPLE, THAT BEING CREASED AND ONLY FINE APPEARING—THE FAIMAN COLLECTION HAD NONE.
Expertization: 1972 P.F. Certificate.
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¢.
|
| |
| Realized $62,500 |
