1c 1851, 13-14l2, I Think, Haven't Received Yet

I know...it was Apfelbaum, but I've made some really nice buys from them, and have returned several with faults not listed.

Just bought this yesterday and thought from the darker color and filmy look that I might have scored a Plate 3, but then saw the flaw in the lower left corner of the left stamp, so it looks like 13L2-- I have 2 other copies of this (imperf and perf), with 14L2 in a nice pair.



If this is sound, I'll be very happy with this pair!
Thought I'd show it....Ray

Very beautiful pair!

I would be happy to own them with or without faults.

You scored a 13L2 with part of "big flaw", and it wasn't advertised as such???

I'm jealous and that's a good pick up!

Good job! I might have to look at the Apfelbaum sales once in a while. It can't be much worse than ebay.

Good going. Way back, I scored several nice things from Apfelbaum. They are a mine field, for sure, so watch your step.

Received today-- definitely 13-14L2...with a nice showing of "The Big Flaw" on the lower left corner of the left stamp.



Here is the perforated version I picked up a couple of years ago-- with a wide left margin it shows a lot more of the flaw:

They're both very nice, but I loved the left margin of the perfed version. What a great view!

If I am mistaken, then someone with knowledge of these please inform. Here's my opinion: it appears to have been printed with a plate that was cracked (other cause?). if so, I think that is a different issue than a stamp with a flaw caused AFTER printing, I also believe that the pair does not have a flaw as we normally think of as a flaw. They have VF-XF centering for this issue and does not appear to have tears, scuffs, scratches or other face flaws. No photo of the reverse side so I can't comment on whether or not there is a thin. From years of viewing stamps I have noticed the plate flaws such as has this pair often brought a premium. Never the less, I'm sure, that some collectors reject stamps with plate flaws. I personally like them.

quigngt, it was formerly referred to as "the Big Crack", until it was determined that it wasn't a crack in the plate, but a flaw in the metal. Very well documented- here is a image from the Neinken book:



Mine is the right stamp in the middle row, 13L2.
Hope this helps! Ray

quigngt-- AND you're absolutely correct...it should definitely have brought a premium, but the seller did not notice it.

The #7 had a CV in '16 of $135, but the major crack (Scott still has it as major "crack") cats for $400. I bought the pair for $120, and thought it was a pretty nice buy.....

Ray

Really neat pair ray.mac! Love the plate crack/flaw positions; thanks for sharing!

Great pickup, Ray! Especially in a pair with nice margins. Thanks for showing it!

Here is my 13L2L, with delicate crack lines:

CC-- Nice stamp! Looks like the examples that Neinken gives for an early impression. Nice margins, centering.