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UNIQUE Encased Postage Stamp 1¢ AYERS CATHARTIC PILLS Long Arrows Reed Rarity-10

Currency:USD Category:Stamps Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 12,500.00 USD
UNIQUE Encased Postage Stamp 1¢ AYERS CATHARTIC PILLS Long Arrows Reed Rarity-10
Encased Postage Stamps
Extraordinary Reed Rarity-10 - Friedberg EP-(2) “AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS” Unique Variety With “Long Arrows”
EP-(2) Long Arrows, HB-4, S-N/A, Reed AC01LA. One Cent. AYER’S CATHARTIC PILLS, “Long Arrows” variety. Choice About New.
Rated as Rarity-10 (1 known) “Unique” according to Fred Reed. This remarkable ultra-rarity is from our February 10, 2001 sale, where we described it, as follows: “Unique” Rated as Rarity-10 (1 known) by Fred Reed in his 1995 standard reference book, “Civil War Encased Stamps.” Whether this piece is that reported though unconfirmed example mentioned in 1906 is not known, though it appears to be the case. In any event, we will definitively state that this beautiful example is absolutely the Finest Known of this R-10 variety.

The rich blue Franklin stamp is extremely clean and pleasing with just a hint of tone from underlying card insert below. It is perfectly centered under crystal clear, undisturbed mica. The case is a lovely chestnut in color with extremely sharp details, including the all important “Long Arrow” on the reverse, as seen below the legends. This specimen is absolutely original, authentic and has not been tampered with in any way. We would like to specially thank fellow EP expert Leonard Glazer for his personal examination of this rarity. Len has confirmed of our original description as being not tampered and fully authentic. Only some faint light wear is noted and there are no defects.

This Encased Postage Stamp is of the highest rarity possible,Unique. It has rather exceptional quality and eye appeal being yet another substantial bonus to the serious Encased Postage Stamp collector. Being a Unique item, it is extremely difficult to properly estimate a value and it may likely to exceed our conservative estimate range. This is the first example of this major variety to appear on the market at auction in my lifetime and may well prove to be the only opportunity to acquire such a magnificent rarity.”

This exact EP-(2) Encased Postage realized a solid $6,325 (against an estimate range of $3,000 to $5,000) in our EAHA Auction February 10, 2001, listed as Lot 737. Now, fully a decade later, it should be worth considerably more in today’s strong market for important numismatic rarities. In any event, we will definitively state that to our best knowledge, this beautiful example is absolutely the Finest Known of the variety. Ex: EAHA, Inc., February 10, 2001, Lot 737 (no insert tag).