1c 1851 Plate 1-Early Stamps

Apropos of the discussion by txstamp to my posting above, here is a printed circular bearing what I take to be 69L1E (mark in O of ONE, "walking stick" to the right of Ornament R1). The only marking is an untied 11-bar square grid killer, used in New York City beginning in 1851. The circular, a prices-current list, is dated February 1 1851. The item is docketed July 22 1851, making this an apparent first-month usage of the One-Cent stamp, at least five months after the circular was printed.

Interesting cover.

The stamp isn't tied but the cancel is definitely from the right period.
Also, with the prices current, it is common for this to only be cancelled with a killer and no CDS.

This also illustrates plainly why a circular cancelled only with a killer - one simply cannot prove the exact date of mailing - at least not without help. Circulars are often mailed well after their printed date.

Today I ventured out to a stamp bourse, the first in-person philatelic event I've attended in over 2 years. There I acquired this piece from my favorite dealer, Paul Weiser of Long Island Philatelics. It is a #7 pair, 28-29R1E. It has a lovely blue shade, noticeably darker than the soft pale pastel-like blue most commonly found with Plate 1 Early stamps, and probably was used in late 1851 or early 1852.

dudley - Your pair is excellent with a sharp impression and great margins. I find it very hard to find examples of 1E that nice.

I did buy a single recently from Art Miller. It wasn't plated or even ascribed to 1E, but the impression looked so good that I wanted it regardless. After receiving it, I plated it to position 28L1E. There is a distinct mark in the "C" of "CENT" that I can't find in any other "B" relief.

widglo, you have 86R1E there.

dudley - Thanks for the quick correction. You are undoubtedly correct again! This is beginning to be embarrassing for me! I just got lazy in this case - I and can only look through just so many Neiken maps and Doporto examples before I give up. In this case it is inexcusable, however, in that all the elements of Doporto's 86R1E match my stamp. At least I got the plate right.

It's ironic, because I just bought another 86R1E (at least it is listed as such) at the ongoing Kelleher sale. It has a blue cancel that partially obstructs the markings in and below the "C", so I'll have to wait until I get it to confirm.

I purchased another #7 with an interesting "North Amherst" cancel. It's a relief "B", and I think it is from plate 1E, but I can't be sure. I thought the guide dot would make it fairly easy to plate the stamp, but that is proving not to be the case (a least for me). Any help would be appreciated. The best match I can see so far is 47R1E. The last photo shows the guide dot pretty well beneath the cancel.

Widglo46, It does not give me the impression of plate 1 early. It looks more like plate two. I noticed an odd doubling at the left side of the "O" in "ONE". I think that what you have is 49L2. Here is the comparing image that I came up with using Deporto's image blowups. I pointed out a few interesting spots on the left side that seem to match up. I am interested in what you and others think.

jaxom, I think you mean 49L2.

Dudley, You are correct. I was looking at 49L2. Changed my error. What do you think of the match? I do not think there is another matching the doubling of the "O", not that I know of.

I think you are both right - 49L2 is an excellent match. Thanks for catching the double transfer - I was concentrating too much on the guide dot, and I didn't notice that. The wide margin on the left side should have been another clue that column 4 of the left pane of plate 2 would be a good place to look.

Yes, 49L2 looks like a good match. I agree with jaxom that the overall "look and feel" of this example is Plate 2.

Yes, 49L2. It matches my copy which is from a strip of 5 so the position can be of no doubt.

Some years ago a completed my reconstruction of plate 2, so if anyone needs a confirming scan of any position in 1200dpi, you may email me at *** Private information removed by Staff. Please do not post your address/email/phone number etc. ***.

I believe the original Ashcroft/Neinken reconstruction was broken up and I know of no other that has been completed. Dick, of course, had multiple scans of everything.

Njs900, If you have the scans available, I would love to add them to the database.

Jax, I will try to scan and send you any particular position you are interested in if I have it.

Goes for anyone else as well.