1857-61 1c Franklin, Blue, Type Ia, Perf. 15.5

In the 1850s and 60s, nearly every postage stamp was used as intended – licked, pressed onto an envelope, and sent through the mail. Finding unused stamps from that era is tough. Finding ones that still have their original gum? That’s something else entirely.

Original gum is one of the most sought-after qualities in classic stamps – but it’s also one of the rarest. In the early days of collecting, gum wasn’t a priority. Stamps were often hinged or deliberately soaked. Preserving the gum simply wasn’t part of the culture. Today, standards are much higher – serious collectors expect pristine, post office-fresh condition. But for early US issues, most surviving unused stamps don’t have gum at all.

That’s what makes this stamp so exceptional.

This stamp was never used. The gum wasn’t disturbed or soaked. It was carefully set aside and protected for more than 160 years – long before stamp mounts, albums, or even the idea that gum was worth saving. The fact it survived is remarkable. That it survived with full, original gum, is extraordinary.

We have only one. The stamp pictured is the one you will receive. 

One of America’s First-Ever Perforated Stamps… US #19

Enhance your serious US collection with America’s first perforated stamps – #19 is a great place to start.  I’m pleased (and extremely lucky) to have a tiny quantity of these rare 167-year-old stamps to offer you.  This stamp becomes scarcer and harder to find with each passing year, so now’s the time to get yours while it’s still available.    

Only 300,000 Issued

That’s right, only an estimated 300,000 were issued, a tiny fraction of today’s huge production numbers.  With the ravages of time, who knows how many remain for us collectors?  We’re fortunate to currently have any of this rare old stamp.  And now you can be one of the few lucky collectors able to own and preserve the seldom-seen stamp for future generations.  Mystic’s convenient no-interest time payments makes it easy to own the stamps you want. 

Share in This Historic Philatelic First…  

If you’re like me, you love important stamp firsts.  The introduction of perforated US stamps in 1857 was that and more.  It was an important part of the evolution in American stamp production.   

Perforations allowed postal clerks to easily separate stamps without cutting them apart or tearing them along the edge of a ruler.  Another big advantage – from that time on, stamps would adhere better to letters and packages.  And for us collectors it would become a great benefit, as it meant less damage to fragile stamps.