Sale 3039: The "ERIVAN" Collection of United and Confederate States Postal History Part IV

55X3, Marion, Virginia, 5c Black on Bluish laid paper, unused single with margins large to just in at top right, reverse with blue ruled lines, some light age staining does not detract from this remarkable stamp, Very FIne, at the time this stamp was offered in the Caspary sale Bluish paper was not listed in Scott, and the Philatelic Foundation considered the stamp "genuine, but whether issued for use on this paper is uncertain," since that time a used example has surfaced proving that stamps on Bluish laid were issued for postal use (we also offered a cover with a 10c on Bluish paper in the second Erivan sale), only 11 5c Marion stamps are known on any paper (four on covers, three each on piece and used, and this the sole unused example), one of the greatest rarities of Confederate philately, not offered publicly in over half a century (Scott listed but unpriced)rnProvenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 990, 1956)Confederate States Postmasters' Provisionals