Lot 72
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1863, 2¢ black "Atherton Shift", Major double transfer of Top Left Corner and "Postage" (73 var.), very lightly cancelled (appears unused). Faint crease ending in tiny tear. Fine appearance.
Scott $10,000
AM ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXCEEDINGLY RARE VARIETY, OF WHICH PROBABLY NO MORE THAN 10 EXIST, ONLY ONE OF WHICH IS WELL CENTERED (BUT HAS CLIPPED PERFS) AND ONLY ONE AVERAGE CENTERED EXAMPLE MAY BE SOUND. THE STAMP OFFERED HERE HAD GRACED TWO OF THE MOST FAMOUS BLACK JACK COLLECTIONS, ALLEN AND METZGER, AND WAS ILLUSTRATED IN LANE (P. 124).
Expertization: 2002 P.F. Certificate.
This so called "Atherton Shift" first came to light in 1923 when it was examined by Ashbrook in the extensive "Black Jack" collection formed by H.P. Atherton, though it was not recorded in the philatelic press until 1936 with an article by George Sloane in the March 28th edition of Stamps. Since that time it has become the most coveted of all the "Black Jacks". Stanley Ashbrook wrote, "Here we have one of the most remarkable double transfers on U.S. stamps that I have ever seen. I have for years classified the One Cent 1851, Type II, 89R2, as the No. 1 among remarkable examples of this variety and in my opinion this 2¢ Black Jack could well rank as No. 2. Perhaps some would even rank it equal to the 1¢ 89R2."
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| Realized $2,900 |
