The 3c 1851-57 Issue

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II, position 77L1E, margins to slightly in, beautiful fresh color, tiny pre-use corner creases, tied through lettersheet by impression of perfectly-struck blue encircled grid, matching bold "Lowell, Ms '3cts Paid' Jul 1" First Day of Issue integral-rate cds on folded past-due notice datelined "Lowell, July 1, 1851" to Chillicothe, Ohio, endorsed "Duplicate" at upper left, apparently one of a group stamped by James C. Ayer and mailed on the same day, the back of the lettersheet shows offset blue impressions of the cds and grid in the same relative positions, indicating that Ayer had affixed the new 3¢ stamps in the same place on each folded statement, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Chase (with his notes on back), Jefferys, Simpson, Piller, Berkun (Aristocrats), Eubanks ; signed by Carroll Chase and Robert A. Siegel.

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $12,500.

A REMARKABLY CHOICE 1851 3¢ FIRST DAY USAGE, THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE FROM LOWELL.

Dr. Carroll Chase had remarked that he felt this 1851 3¢ first day cover from Lowell was the most beautiful example he had seen.

References:
Illustrated in Chronicle No 7 (p. 4), No 9 (p. 5) and No. 21 (p. 9).

Illustrated in Wilson Hulme's "Census of July 1st 1851 Uages of The U.S. 1851 Issue" in the Sesquicentenial book, p. 121.

Illustrated in Alan Berkun's "July 1, 1851 3¢ George Washington", First Days, Mar. 2000, pp. 104-109.

Census No. 22, Siskin & Scheuer, First Days, Vol. 23 No. 4, p. 20.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II, pos. 56R1e, three huge margins including part of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, in at left, bright color, canceled by blue grid (impression ties thru paper), matching "Lancaster Pa. Jul 1" 1851 First Day of Issue cds on 1851 dated part-printed bank statement to Columbia Pa.; vertical file folds well away from stamp with little erosion spot, some minor splitting along cover edges, F.-V.F., ex-William Fox ; with 1975 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $12,500.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER USED FROM LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

In his census in the 1851 Sesquicentennial book, Wilson Hulme records a total of 43 covers used on July 1, 1851, which is the first day they were valid for postage. Five are known used from Philadelphia, and only this cover is known used from Lancaster. Its existence was first mentioned in the Chronicle in 1954.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 136, fig. 1.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type I - 2nd Day of Issue, position 65R1E, large margins at top and right, other sides slightly in, tied by two strikes of blue circular grid cancel and "Philadelphia Pa. Jul 2" cds on orange buff cover to Avon Ct.; small cover flaws, F.-V.F. and scarce 2nd day use; with 1990 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 10   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

1851, 3¢ medium orange brown, types I & type II, 2nd Day Use - EDU of Multiple Stamps, positions 4L1E, 6L1E, each with rich color and four margins except for one with edge fault, each tied by blue circular grid cancel, matching "Philadelphia Pa., Jul 2" cds on 1851 blue folded cover to Columbia Pa.; two vertical file folds that do not detract, one is through the faulty stamp, attractive and Fine appearance, the earliest documented use of orange brown multiple stamps ; with 2010 A.P.S. certificate.

Scott No. 10, 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II, EDU of Orange Brown Multiple, vertical pair, positions 62-72L1E, clear to large margins except touched at top left corner, tied by light circular grid cancels, blue "Baltimore Md. Jul 3" cds and red "PAID" straightline on blue 1851 folded to St. Johnsbury Vt.; central file fold, Very Fine, the earliest documented use of orange brown multiple .

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

1851, 3¢ deep orange brown, type II - EDU of Plate 1 Intermediate, position 82L1i plate by Chase showing strong re-entry, large margins to clear including part of adjoining stamp at right, tied by 13-bar square grid, red "New-York Jul 12" cds on 1851 blue folded letter to Boston Mass.; vertical file fold well away from stamp, Very Fine, the earliest documented use from Plate One Intermediate , ex-Hulme ; discovered by Carroll Chase, Wilson Hulme Census.

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 139, fig. 5.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II - EDU of Plate 2 Early, position 51R2E, large margins to just in including straddle margin at left capturing double guideline, deep shade, tied by 11-bar square grid, red "New-York Jul 23" cds on blue 1851 folded letter to Lynchburg Va.; vertical file fold well clear of stamp, Very Fine, the earliest documented usage from Plate 2 Early , ex-Hulme .

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 139, fig. 5.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II - EDU of Plate 5, position 81R5E, large margins to just touched at lower right, small flaws at top, tied by strong "Mansfield, Ohio, Jul 19" cds on circa 1851 embossed ladies' cover to Mt. Vernon, Ohio; small margin tear at top and stained flap tear, a Very Fine use, the earliest documented use from Plate 5 Early .

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 139, fig. 6.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II - EDU of Plate O, Position 31L0, deep rich color, canceled by New York 4-Bar Sep 6 cds used only in 1851, the earliest reported use from Plate 0, Fine appearance, the earliest reported use from Plate 0 , ex-Hulme ; with 2002 A.P.S. certificate as EDU for Plate O.

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 140, fig. 8.

1851, 3¢ experimental orange brown, type II - EDU of Plate 1 Late, position 91R1L, large margins to in including sheet margin at left, diagonal crease at left, tied by experimental " New York Oct. 6 " three-bar cds on blue 1851 folded letter to Richmond Me., vertical file fold well clear of stamp, some tone spots, Fine, Fine and important use in the production of the 3¢ 1851 issue, the earliest known use from Plate One Late with introduction of new experimental orange brown color. , ex-Hulme ; signed Amonette as "Experimental OB, Earliest Known Use", with 1992 A.P.S. certificate.

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

This stamp is in a paler experimental orange brown color, which contained only red lead colorant, having the abrasive iron oxide pigment of earlier stamps removed from the formulation at this stage.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 141, fig. 9.

1851-52, 3¢ brownish carmine, type II - EDU of Brownish Carmine from Plate 1 Late, Position 64L1L, large margins to full including part of adjoining stamps at left and bottom, tied by red grid, matching " U.S. Express Mail 'N. York, N.Y.' 22 Oct " cds on 1851 folded letter to Salem Mass.; vertical file fold lightly affects stamp, still fresh and Very Fine use, the earliest recorded use of brownish carmine from Plate One Late , ex-Amonette, Hulme ; with note from Dr. Amonette.

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

October was a period of rapid change to Plate One Late and several apparent color experiments were revealed with the removal of the iron oxide pigments of the earlier orange brown stamps.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 142, fig. 10.

1852-57, 3¢ claret, type II - Claret EDU Use, position 51R1L, distinctive color, four margins except touched upper right, tied by clear strike of blue "Philadelphia, Pa. Nov 11" cds on immaculate blue 1851 folded letter to Hagerstown Md., Very Fine and choice, the earliest documented use for the claret color .

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $750 - 1,000.

First identified by David Watt, then corroborated by Amonette and Hulme, this is the earliest documented use for the claret color that presages major colors to follow in early 1852 and beyond. During the experimental stages as brownish carmine formulation was being developed as a standard appearing color after the experimental orange browns. This color is similar to the later 1857 colors and not the early 1852 color varieties.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 143, fig. 12.

1851-52, 3¢ deep brownish carmine, type II - EDU for Plate 2 Late, position 10R2L, rich color with more red, large margins to shaved at top, tied by green "Haverhill, N.H. Jan 7" cds on blue folded letter to Littleton N.H.; light folded toning, Very Fine.

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

This is the new earliest document use for plate 2 late, being re-entered due to wear from the iron oxide pigment in the orange brown pigment; updating the last census of Wilson Hulme (USPCS Chronicle #171). The orange brown pigment was formally discontinued for all the re-entered "Late" Plates.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 145, fig. 14.

1852, 3¢ yellowish dull red, type II - EDU of Color, position 93L2L plated by Amonette, three margins, shaved at bottom, bright shade, tied by neat blue circular grid cancel, matching "Lancaster Pa. Sep 27" cds on 1852 folded letter to Columbia Pa.; file fold through stamp, some fold toning at right, Very Fine and earliest use of this very scarce color.

Scott No. 11A var.   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

Discovered by Jim Allen in a large horde of covers about 25 years ago. Earliest recorded by Amonette, Hulme and Allen to date. October 1852, is the normal date used to reference the first arrival of the classic "dull red" color of the 3¢ stamp, with the widespread production and use in 1853.

1851-52, 3¢ deep brownish carmine, type II - EDU of Plate 3, position 44L3, four margins, tied by "Albany N.Y., Jan 15" cds on orange buff cover to New York City, receipt docketing Jan. 17, 1852., Very Fine, the earliest documented use of Plate 3 , ex-Hulme .

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Plate 3 was introduced to meet printing demands. This cover is new to the Hulme 1996 Census and pictured in Allen article.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 145, fig. 15.

1851, 3¢ experimental orange brown, type II- EDU of Plate 3, position 49R3, large margins except touched at top, radiant color, tied by bold blue "Philadelphia, Pa. Jan 15" cds on 1852 folded cover to New York City; file fold at left far away from stamp, Very Fine, the earliest documented use of plate 3 in unlisted experimental orange brown , ex-Simpson, Amonette, Hulme ; with 1991 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 11A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

Non-orange brown colors based on iron oxide pigments were introduced on all new or re-entered plates after Plate One Intermediate to avoid wear due to abrasion. This EDU date was later matched by the cover listed in lot above when it was first listed in 1996. The Earliest Document Use remains Jan. 15, 1852

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 145, fig. 16.

1855, 3¢ orange red, type I, EDU of Plate 4, position 40L4, pale to medium shade distinctive of this period, huge margins on two sides, ragged margin on right, tied by partial "Foxcroft Me. Mar 28" cds on 1855 buff cover to Bangor Me., original letter datelined "Foxcroft March 28 1855" accompanies, F.-V.F., the earliest documented use of plate 4 .

Scott No. 11   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

References: Listed in "Earliest Known Uses in the 1851-1857 Era", Chronicle 171, August 1996, p. 161

Discovery reported in Chronicle 116, November 1982, p. 255.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type I - First Problem Identified by Public - Adhesion Complaints, two covers comprising 3¢ orange brown (10), position 16L1E, large margins except in at bottom, tied by circular grid cancel, blue "Baltimore, Jul 5" cds on 1851 folded letter docketed at top " P.S. I have paid this letter by stamp-have tried these on four and they are so shabbily made that they won't stick. I have been obliged to put this on with a wafer. ", stamp is gum-soaked as expected, corner crease, second cover bearing 3¢ brownish carmine (11), two margins, tied by "Springfield Ill. Apr 10" cds on ladies cover to Brunswick Me. docketed " Paid if the thing sticks ", fresh use, F.-V.F., scarce objects recording one of the major problems of the 1851 launch period that continued into 1852.

Scott No. 10   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Adhesion issues were the earliest complaint based on POD recordings (Travers Papers (3rd Assist. PMG); Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear and Co. toured Europe for 2 weeks seeking better gum materials to better satisfy customers demands.

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 137, fig. 2.

1851, 3¢ orange brown, type II - Adhesion Problems, position 53LO, four margins, affixed by red sealing wax, tied by two strikes of "New Haven Ct. 13 Oct" cds on clean buff cover to Guilford Ct.; some cover and stamp wrinkles as would be expected, wax seal removed, Very Fine, a great exhibition item showing the adhesion problems.

Scott No. 10A   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

Sealing wax was used to affixed the stamp due to major adhesion problems that were very prevalent in the fall of 1851. This problem was recorded in the Travers Papers (See uspcs.org website).

References: Illustrated in Jim Allen's "The 3¢ 1851 Stamp Plates: Color Changes and Earliest Documented Uses", Chronicle 266, May 2020, p. 137, fig. 3.