Lot 14 Newfoundland #6 6d Scarlet Vermilion, 1857 - 1860 Pence Issue, A Poor Used Single Thinned & Severely Torn - Still A Rare Stamp, Cat. $3,500 in Fine Condition

A poor used single of the 6d scarlet vermilion from the 1857 - 1860 Pence Issue thinned & severely torn - still a rare stamp. I discovered the tear when I attempted to soak the stamp to remove a bunch of gum on the face. I had suspected that this was a crude repair and that the stamp would come partially apart, and I was indeed correct. However, genuine scarlet vermilions are hard to come by and this one will fill the space in your album until you can find or afford a better one.

Unitrade values this at $3500 for F. Our estimated value based on condition is $50 The stamp offered here grades 34.

The pence issues of Newfoundland have presented some challenges to collectors with respect to identification, particularly the difference between 1 and 15A, 3 and 11A and 5, 12A and 19. The key to correctly identifying these issues lies in understanding two things: 1. The 1857 and 1860 issues, that is #1, 5, 3 and 12A are all dry printings, whereas 11A, 15A and 19, as well as all the less expensive dull rose stamps are all wet printings. The dry printings will always have slightly more relief to the printing surface, whereas the wet printings will generally feel smooth to the touch. The dry printings are also slightly larger than the wet printings, with the design usually 1/2mm wider on one or more sides. 2. The paper used on the 1857 and 1860 issues is always handmade and shows clear mesh. If the paper does not show mesh, then it is, at best an August 1861 printing. Unitrade does not distinguish between the common November 1861 printings and the scarcer August 1861 printings, but you should be aware of the difference, as the August 1861 printings are scarcer and worth a premium. These will usually be printed in deeper shades of rose and the paper will be handmade, whereas all of the November 1861 printings are on translucent, crisp machine made paper that shows no mesh.