#12025

5c Blackish Brown (1a var). Extraordinary color on deeply blued paper -- the true Blackish Brown shade -- enormous margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamp at top and sheet margin at left, cancelled by red grid but tied by bold strike of matching red "Pittsburgh Pa. Apr. 8" circular datestamp on blue 1851 folded letter to Cadiz O., lightly toned vertical file fold well clear of stamp, Extremely Fine Gem stamp, the Black Brown is a great rarity in this condition, ex Knapp as "Black Brown, marvelous shade & impression, superb" (lot label affixed)

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 933 Lot 156 realized 3000 (image)

Alexander listed as 4/6/51

Parke-Bernet sale 282 May 10 1941 (Knapp) lot 2212 realized 42.50 where the cover is incorrectly dated April 6 (1850) but not illustrated.