1857-61 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Perf 15, Oval red grill cancel
Into the Deep BlueI bid on a "study group" of perforated Type V 1857 1c blue "Franklin" stamps this past summer.
Shall we see what we can find?
The perforated 1857-61 issue has the same designs as the unperforated 1851-57 issue.
The 1c "Franklins" are rather complicated in Scott, as they come in Type I,II,III,IV, & V, and in additional subtypes. The types have to do with whether the scroll work around the outside of the stamp is cut away or not; if the curved lines outside the labels "U.S. Postage" & "One Cent" are complete or not, and in some cases if there are recut lines.
This is definitely U.S. specialty territory, and can mean the difference between CV (used) of $37+ and $9000 for the 1857 perforated 1c blue "Franklin"!!
My "study group" is supposed to consist of "Type V", which is the most common and least expensive CV ($37+). Also, Type V is only found within the 1857 perforated issue, and not the unperforated 1851-57 issue.
Why?
The Perf 15 (Actually up to 15 1/2) perforations are very close to the stamp design. Consequently, the design was trimmed around the top, bottom, and sides to make the stamp design look intact ( better).
According to Brookman (The 19th Century Postage Stamps of the United States), Type V 1c blue "Franklins" are found on plates 5,7,8,9, & 10. All, of them (except plate 5) have only Type V stamps. There is a Type Va found on plate 5, along with Type V. More about that later.
Earliest known use:
Plate 5 -Dec 2, 1857
Plate 7- Dec 31, 1857
Plate 8 - Nov 17, 1857
Plate 9 - Aug 2, 1859
Plate 10 - June 14, 1860
Let's take a look at our "study group"....
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 1
"Scott: Type V - similar to Type III of 1851-57 but with side ornaments cut away. About one half of all positions have side scratches. Wide breaks in top and bottom framelines"
I will show some close-up examples of Type V below.
This Example 1 has a "1860" date cancellation, which adds $2.50 to the CV.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 2
"July" postmark. I wonder if the cancel is from Lansing, Michigan?
Of interest, Brookman states the color blue for the 1c Type V can be blue, pale blue, dark blue & deep blue.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 3
Unknown city postmark.
If one looks carefully, one can see the side ornaments are cut away.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 4
City cancel.
I should mention that one should check the paper on any 1c blue, as "laid paper" is a possibility (CV $7,500!) - but not probability. ;-)
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, cover- Example 5
A "1861" date - a $2.50 CV increase.
On cover - a $8 CV increase.
The prior collector had labeled this postmark "Boston" - and perhaps it is, but "PA" makes me think of Pennsylvania.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 6
Oval grid.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 7
Grid cancel.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 8
Very interesting imprint: " (Bank Note) Engravers Phila New York Boston" on side
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 8 (stamp turned)
This stamp came from the left edge of the sheet, as the engravers script is visible. If we had more of the edge, the plate number might be seen. Notice how cut away the side scroll work is.
The engravers were Toppan, Carpenter & Co. for the 1857 perforated issue, as well as the 1851 unperforated issue.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 9
This stamp was labeled by the prior collector as a "magenta" color cancel. If so - a $150 CV increase. I think the evidence is not very good.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 10
"PAID" cancel. - a $5 CV increase.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin" pair
Type V, Example 11
Nice pair. - About a 10% CV increase ($ 98).
"1859" - a $2.50 CV increase.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 12
A pen cancel - decreases CV by ~50%.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 12 close-up
This Example 12 shows a good illustration of the of the curved frame line just below the "One Cent" tablet missing a large portion of the middle. This is characteristic for Type V: "Wide breaks in top and bottom framelines"
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 13
Not sure what cancel - Philadelphia?
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 14
Nice oval grid cancel. CV increase $15.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 15
Red "paid" city cancel.
1857-61 Scott 24 Perf 1c blue "Franklin"
Type V, Example 16
Out of the Blue
I should mention that Type Va from plate 5* shows almost complete ornaments on the right side (CV $250). I don't think I have an example.
*Plate 5 - Brookman thought that Type Va came from "plate 6", but subsequent research shows plate 5.
As one can imagine, this evaluation "study group" only scratches the surface of the catalogue possibilities for the Type V 1857 1c blue.
