Unused, 1865
$225.00
This stamp was prominently featured in “The Civil War Cigar Stamps” (2020) by Peter Schwartz.
A remarkably bright example with four margins. The Type II designation reflects the smaller size (5mm) of the Lincoln heads used in the design of the 100-cigar stamps of 1865. Signed by inspector J. Naswell in black, marked April 5 as the date of inspection in black pen and blue crayon along the edges of the design. As this stamp is unused, it seems most likely that Naswell signed and dated the stamp in advance — essentially a “pre-cancel.”
This stamp has been off the market since the mid 1990s, and is one of the finest examples we’ve seen to date. The only fault is a small stain in the lower right hand corner.