Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — Essays and Proofs: 1845-57 Issues
4p, 1/2p Red Brown, Colonial Revenue, Proofs on Heavy Horizontally Laid Paper (RM16P, RM18P). One of each, 4p measures 26 x 53mm, numbered 15, 1/2p measures 34 x 61mm, numbered 58, small toned spot below design of latter, still Very Fine and rare proofs
Gavit & Co., Albany N.Y., 5c and 3c Franklin, Die Essays on India (1Xa-E1, 11-E3). Four of each essay, all but two are cut close with a mix of India and card, one 1Xa-E1 shows cross-hatching, several colors, a couple typical small flaws including one 11-E3 with slight toning, overall Very Fine or appear so
New York N.Y., 5c Washington, Large Die Essays with Vignette on India (9X1-E1a). Three different, in Scarlet, Green and Violet Black, the largest is Scarlet at 96 x 143mm, the other two are cut to outside the India paper (which is 51 x 104mm), Scarlet with some card thinning at top from old mount removal not affecting the India paper, Very Fine trio
New York N.Y., 5c Washington, Essays, Proofs and Trial Color Proofs (9X1-E, 9X1P, 9X1TC). 14 items mounted on an album page, a few are vignette-only large die essays from the 9X1-E dual design, also trial color proofs in five different colors including one larger size, a couple plate proofs from the sheet of nine as well as a forgery, finally a letter signed by N.Y. Postmaster Robert H. Morris, Very Fine group, two certificates accompany
Providence R.I., 5c, 10c, Plate Proofs and Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (10X1P4-10X2P4, 10X1TC4-10X2TC4). Five complete sheets of twelve, each approximately 210 x 176mm with full plate sinkage, one in the issued Black, others form a complete set of all four Scott-listed trial color proofs—Gray Blue, Green, Brown Carmine and Brown—fresh colors
EXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL COMPLETE SET OF PLATE AND TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOF SHEETS OF THE PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
Only a few complete sets are believed to exist.
Providence R.I., 5c, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (10X1TC4). Three different colors, Green, Gray Blue and Brown Carmine, one with light crease, Very Fine, also includes three reprints or forgeries, two certificates accompany, Scott value for just the trial color proofs
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Large Die Proofs on White Laid (1P1c-2P1c). 31 x 39mm and 36x 42mm, showing clear laid lines and cross hatching, rich colors, Very Fine
5c Scarlet Vermilion, 10c Golden Brown, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on India and Bond (1TC1a-2TC1b). Both with fresh colors, showing full cross-hatching, Very Fine
5c Deep Blue, 10c Green, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on Bond and India (1TC1b-2TC1a). 5c affixed to non-contemporary card, bright colors and large margins showing cross-hatching, Very Fine
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Plate Proofs on India (1P3-2P3). 5c mounted on non-contemporary card, ample to full margins, Very Fine, with 2013 A.P.S. certificate, 10c full margins to clear at top, Fine, scarce
5c-10c 1847 Issue, Plate Proofs on India, Card (1TC3, 3P3-4P3, 3P4-4P4). Group of six plate proofs, first is 5c Black trial color proof (1TC3), others are Reprint plate proofs, including extra 5c privately gummed, small faults including first with toning, overall Very Fine or appear so
5c-10c 1847 Issue, Plate and Trial Color Proofs on India, "Specimen" Ovpt. (1P3S, 1TCP3S, 2P3S). Three proofs on card backing, first is 5c Red Brown, plate proof on India, black diagonal "Specimen." Ovpt. (1P3S), faint crease, Fine, with 2005 A.P.S. certificate, other two are 5c Orange and 10c Black, plate proofs on India, red diagonal "Specimen" Ovpt. (1TCP3S, 2P3S), 10c with slight toning at top and small corner thin spot, otherwise Very Fine, scarce trio of plate proofs made at the time of the 1847 Issue
5c-10c 1847 Issue, Trial Color Proofs Balance (1TC-2TC). Nine items, seven are trial color die proofs cut down to stamp size in a range of colors, mostly large margins, small faults on several of these, overall Fine-Very Fine or appear so, other two items are 10c die proofs with cross-hatching, including No, 2P1b on Pink Bond and No. 2TC1a in Light Brown, these two Very Fine (Scott value for those two alone is $2,250)
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproduction, Small Die Proofs on Wove (3P2-4P2). Removed from card backing from a Roosevelt album, 5c shallow thin spots as usual for these when removed, Very Fine appearance, only 85 albums were produced
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproduction, Small Die Proofs on Wove (3P2-4P2). Complete page from a Roosevelt presentation album, "1847" and "1876" labels between, fresh colors, bottom right corner of page slightly nicked, couple small and inconsequential toned spots on the page not affecting the proofs
VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE PAGE OF THE 1847 ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Despite the presence of the"1847" and "1876" labels, both sets were in fact made from the reproduction die. This is similar to some of the Roosevelt Album 1861 "First Design" proofs. This is extremely rare on a complete page. Apart from pages in whole albums we have not offered a complete page of the 1847 issue since keeping computerized records. In total only 85 were produced. Scott value as two sets of cut-down proofs does not convey the rarity of this full page.
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproduction, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (3P2a-4P2a). Deep shades, paper has the toning that is normally found on Panama-Pacific proofs, 10c with a small thin spot
VERY FINE. ONLY APPROXIMATELY FIVE SETS OF THE 1915 PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PRODUCED.
In 1915, for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, a limited special printing of 413 different small die proofs was created. Printed on yellowish wove paper, they are extremely scarce. Generally, it is believed that three to five sets were produced of each proof. This is only the third complete set of the 1847 issue Panama-Pacific proofs we have offered since our 1999 Finkelburg sale.
With 1989 P.F. certificates.
5c Red Brown, Reproduction, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (3P2a). Rich color with the typical toning of the paper as on all genuine Panama-Pacific proofs, certificate mentions small corner creases at top right and bottom right, which are indeed tiny
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY APPROXIMATELY FIVE SETS OF THE 1915 PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PRODUCED.
In 1915, for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, a limited special printing of 413 different small die proofs was created. Printed on yellowish wove paper, they are extremely scarce. Generally, it is believed that three to five sets were produced of each proof.
With 1995 P.F. certificate.
5c, 10c Reproduction, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (3TC4-4TC4). Complete sets in all five colors, full to ample margins, 5c Brown with translucency and some staining on back which is barely visible on front at top
overall VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS for THE 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1847 REPRODUCTIONS.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet of 50 in each color was made available after 1881. They were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles. Very few have been kept together as intact sets.
5c 1847 Reproduction, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (3TC4). Complete set of all five colors, ample to full margins, brilliant colors, Very Fine, the Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta, only one sheet of 50 in each color was made available after 1881, they were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles
Obsolete Bank Notes. Collection of about a dozen obsolete bank notes plus additional engravings including from American Bank Note Co. brown proof folders and a bond, most were collected for portraits or vignettes similar to those on issued classic stamps, including nice Canal Bank with Franklin and Washington portraits as used for the 1851-57 issue, with unused 1c (24) and 3c (26) stamps mounted above, other unused include sheet of three from Bank of Battle Creek Mich., others, brown folder engravings include Eagle design similar to carrier stamp (LO2) and Washington vignette as used on No. 39, some faults to be expected but overall a wonderful group to add interest to a classic stamp collection
Charles Toppan & Co., Engraved Broadside. Approximately 15.5 x 18 in., titled "Chas Toppan & Co. Philadelphia, Bank Note Engravers", with dozens of engraved images including Franklin and Washington, numbers, letters, people and scenes, some small splits along folds in a couple places and some creasing but overall intact and Very Fine appearance, would make a nice framed display in a stamp room, Toppan was a part of the firm that produced the 1851-57 issue
3c 1851 Issue, Essays (11-E4/11-E17). Wonderful assemblage of 40 essays mounted on album pages, full range of companies including John E. Gavit & Co., Draper, Welsh & Co., Danforth Bald & Co., Bald, Cousland & Co. and a few Toppan, Carpenter & Co. design Schernikow reprints, range of designs and colors with good representation from each of these companies, a few small faults may be encountered, overall Very Fine or appear so, an excellent opportunity to acquire an extensive group with substantial catalogue value, these are generally priced in Scott from $200 to $475 each
Toppan, Carpenter, Casilier & Co., 3c Red, Ty. I, Plate Proof on India, Brush Stroke Obliteration (11P3). Wonderful depth of color, clear margins, Very Fine, in 1854 complete sheets of 200 3c India proofs from Plate 4 were sent by Toppan, Carpenter to Bemrose and Perkins Bacon in England for a perforating experiment, each firm received left and right panes, all of the proofs were cancelled with brush strokes to prevent use as postage
5c 1856 Issue, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Wove (12TC5). Five, including the key Deep Red Brown which is often mistaken (or sometimes misrepresented) as the extremely rare unused No. 12 stamp, other colors are Green, Orange and two Olive Brown, ample to full margins, fresh and Very Fine group, first with 1985 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Type I, Large Die Proof on India (13P1). Cut down to stamp size showing complete design as well as layout lines around the design at top, rich color on bright paper, fresh and Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate which calls this No. 13P2 (we believe erroneously), Scott value for full-size $5,000
1c Blue, Ty. V, Plate Proof on India (24P3). Full to large margins including portion of adjoining position at bottom, brilliant color, Extremely Fine and scarce, with 2007 A.P.S. certificate
Toppan, Carpenter, Casilier & Co., 24c Black, Frame Only and Complete Design, Progressive Die Proof on India (37-E2). On 45 x 101mm card which has been neatly severed in middle and hinged together, complete design as issued at top (37TC), frame-only progressive die proof at bottom, lacking outer frame line and lathework not retouched, clear impression of the detailed lathework and with die layout lines, pencil "From Jos. E. Ralph, J. M. Bartels" on back
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE PROGRESSIVE DIE PROOF OF AN EARLY STATE OF THE FRAME USED FOR THE 24-CENT DENOMINATION OF THE 1857 ISSUE, STRUCK ALONGSIDE THE COMPLETE DESIGN AT TOP.
We have encountered two other examples of the frame-only progressive die proof (from our "Lake Shore" and Hulme sales), but neither contained the complete design trial color proof as this example does. Joseph E. Ralph of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is known to have distributed similar die proofs of varying denominations in 1910.
With 2015 P.F. certificate issued before the proof was severed
1c-12c 1857 Reprints, Hybrid Large Die Proofs on India (40P1-45P1). Five proofs, denominations 1c-12c (does not include 24c-90c), 3c-12c are on approximately 137 x 216mm cards with full die sinkage, 1c is cut down smaller but still larger than the India paper, rich colors, 3c with toned spots far from design, appear Very Fine, these only exist as hybrids
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Small Die Proofs on Wove (40P2-47P2). Each on original gray card backing from a Roosevelt album, gorgeous fresh colors
EXTREMELY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1857 REPRINTS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 albums were produced.
3c Scarlet, Ty. I, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof (41P2a). Large margins, brilliant color, slight toning of the paper as usual for Panama-Pacific proofs, narrow thin at top from old hinge removal and also a light crease, Very Fine appearance and scarce, only approximately 3-5 were produced, with 2013 A.P.S. certificate
1c-90c 1857-60 Issue, Plate Proofs on India and Card. Small collection comprising three complete sets of proofs, one is on card (40P4-47P4) and the other two are on India, the collector's objective was to acquire both the normally seen Nos. 40P3-47P3 Reprint India proofs and the much scarcer original Nos. 24P3-39P3 India plate proofs, this was done with mixed success as we believe the 5c, 12c, 24c and 90c are original (30P3, 36BP3, 37P3 and 39P3), but others are duplicates of the Reprint proofs and a 3c appears to be a stamp, a couple small flaws and margins on a few touch, overall Very Fine
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (40TC4-47TC4). Complete set of all five colors for each of the eight denominations, singles except for 1c Scarlet block of four, ample to clear margins, gorgeous colors throughout
VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 1857 ISSUE.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet of 50 in each color was printed. The sheets were somehow acquired by James A. Petrie of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, at the close of the exposition (along with the 1869 invert card proof sheets). Petrie claimed that he rescued the proofs just before they were to be burned. They were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles. These are often offered either by denomination or in other smaller groupings. It is difficult to assemble the complete set.