A unique plate number example of the 90c violet carmine is to be brought to auction as part of the remarkable Cloudrest Collection of United States Stamps.
The stamp will sell on October 25 in New York. It holds the highest estimate of all the lots offered at $26,000.
 The stamp has perforations on all sides |
The stamp is in excellent condition and is the only recorded plate number example of the 90c currently known, with "No. 23" printed in the selvedge.
It is especially desirable to collectors due to it showing good perforations on all four sides - less than half of the known examples have this feature, as the special printings were often separated by scissors and the perforations cut away.
The 90c violet carmine originates from the 1875 Continental Bank Note Company special printing, which was created after the company acquired the contract and plates that were first used by the National Bank Note Company. Continental was later taken over by the American Bank Note Company in 1879, who then took on the contract, printing similar designs on softer paper with some colour alterations.
The Continental Bank Note Company special printing can be distinguished from the other so-called Bank Notes by the tiny marks that were added to the plates of the lower values.
The Cloudrest Collection features more unique examples from the 1875 issue, with a plate number 3c stamp expected to bring the second highest bids at $21,500.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a stunning collection of investment-grade stamps currently available in our online store, including a mint condition corner margin example of the Great Britain 1913 £1 green.
