Lot 119 United States SC#U119 1c Blue, 1874-1886 Plimpton Issue, A Fine Mint Cover, Commercial Size Manila Envelope, Die C, Wmk 2, Knife 41, Production Crossover Anomaly, $150 Est.

A fine mint cover of the 1c blue from the 1874-1886 Plimpton Issue, commercial size manila envelope, die c, wmk 2, knife 41, production crossover anomaly, $150 est.

Wmk 2 had been phased out when the manila envelopes were introduced. Most likely a sheet of the wrapper paper with wmk 2 was mistakenly mixed into the envelope blank cutting press, stamped out with size 5 (knife 41) envelope die and embossed with the 1c die C franklin head while the factory was still running wmk 2 & paper stock. A few small stairs & some corner wear but still fine.

Scott doesn't list this variety, so we estimate it at $150. The stamp offered here grades 70 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 40/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10