A US 1851 1c blue Franklin stamp will auction at Daniel F Kelleher Auctions in New York on December 1.

The stamp was introduced following a drop in the cost of postal rates in 1851.

This 1851 1c Franklin blue is one of the best on the market

The cost of delivery anywhere in the US, regardless of distance, was changed to 1c. Although pre-payment was optional, collection costs were increased.

This was a powerful incentive for most people to switch to pre-payment, which became mandatory in 1855.

This stamp is graded VF-80, placing it among the very best of the 90 survivors. Only two are graded higher.

It's expected to make $100,000-150,000.

A US 1923 2c Harding is another highlight, with an estimate of $35,000-50,000.

The stamp was only sold for a short period following President Warren Harding's death and was phenomenally popular.

Harding was a well-liked leader and millions turned out to watch his funeral train pass by.

Well over a billion of these stamps were printed, in three different variants.

This is the rare #613 version, of which only around 50 remain. This example displays a very light cancellation and is graded "fine".

Other highlights include a US 1918 $2 orange, red and black, which is valued at $20,000-30,000.