Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — Essays and Proofs (Scott 1Xa thru 1869 Pictorial)
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 toning, overall Very Fine or appear so
10c Black, Reproduction, Plate Proof on India (4P3). Showing major plate scratch diagonally at top left, large margins to ample at bottom, Very Fine and unusual variety, with 2025 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Red Brown, Trial Color Plate Proof on Wove (12TC5). Large margins, lovely warm color, Very Fine, this is often mistaken for the extremely rare unused No. 12 stamp
5c Red Brown, 24c Gray Violet, 30c Orange, Plate Proofs on India (30P3, 37P3, 38P3). Full margins to clear, bright colors, couple small translucencies, Very Fine group
24c Lilac, Plate Proof on India (37P3). Large margins to clear, rich color, Very Fine and scarce, ex Drucker
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Small Die Proofs on Wove (40P2-47P2). Each on original gray card backing from a Roosevelt album, card is slightly larger than proof size, Very Fine set, only approximately 85 were produced
1c Black, Bowlsby Patent Coupon, Die Essay on White Glazed Paper (63-E13b). 37 x 55mm, small thin spot at top as usual for this paper, still Very Fine
Toppan, Carpenter & Co., (12c) Black, Vignette Large Die II Essay on Old Proof Paper (69-E1a). 52 x 52mm, intense shade, couple tiny holes far from the design, Very Fine, we believe this 1861 essay is much rarer than the modest catalogue value would indicate
National Bank Note Co., (12c) Black, Vignette Large Die Essay on Ivory Paper (69-E5b). 53 x 52mm, fresh and Very Fine, ex Curtis
National Bank Note Co., (Unstated Value) Blue Vignette Die Essays on White Glazed, for Bi-Color Printing (79-E37c). 65 x 77mm showing die sinkage area, two mounting thins in corners as nearly always encountered on the glazed paper essays, Very Fine
1c-90c 1861 First Designs and Colors, Small Die Essays/Proofs on Wove (62BP2/72E7c, formerly 55P2/62P2). Set of eight, lacking the second 3c as seen on the full Roosevelt album pages, each on original gray card backing, rich colors, Very Fine and choice, scarce as only approximately 85 were produced
1861 Issue Die Proofs. Four die proofs, including large die proofs of Nos. 65P1, 69P1 and 76P1, imprints at bottom, the latter two showing full die sinkage area, also 2c No. 73P2 on original card from Roosevelt album, Very Fine group
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (63P2/78P2). Complete set of ten proofs from a Roosevelt presentation album, on original gray cards except 3c Scarlet off card, rich colors, Very Fine, only approximately 85 were produced
2c Black, Die II, Large Die Proof on India (73P1a). On 37 x 48mm card, die no. 1030 at bottom, intense proof shade showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, Very Fine, the Die I large die proof is exceedingly rare with probably fewer than five known in any size, this Die II proof is also very elusive and is frequently found as a hybrid (this example is not a hybrid)
30c Red Orange, First Color, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (71TC2g). Rich color, toning as usually found on genuine Panama-Pacific proofs, small thin at top right and tiny pinholes in corners, Very Fine appearance and rare, Panama-Pacific proofs were found in envelopes with several of each denomination contained in each envelope, the characteristic toning comes from long-term storage, only three to five of each example were printed, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate as 71P2a
30c Orange, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (71P2a). Large margins, rich color distinct from the First Color proof in the previous lot, characteristic light toning as usually found on these issues, Very Fine, perhaps 3-5 were produced
90c Blue, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (72P2a). Affixed to backing, usual overall toning, Very Fine, only approximately 3-5 were produced
2c Black, Die II, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (73aP2a). Intense shade, usual characteristic overall toning as usually found on this issue, few thin spots
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF A PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOF FOR THE ICONIC 2-CENT BLACK JACK.
Only 3-5 were produced. With 1977 P.F. certificate.
15c Black, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (77P2a). Large margins, bright shade which has been gently cleaned to remove the usual toning, Very Fine appearing and rare example of the 15c Lincoln Panama-Pacific small die proof, ex Vogel, with 2010 P.F. certificate
ERRATA: CLEANED TO REMOVE THE NORMAL TONING
15c Deep Blue, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (77TC1). Die sunk on 125 x 187mm card, showing full die sinkage, imprint at bottom, India shows slight overall toning, Very Fine, ex Finkelburg
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Plate Proofs on India, Card (63P3/78P3, 63P4/78P4). Complete set of the ten denominations, 12 proofs total for India including all three 3c colors (Rose, Lake and Scarlet), 12 on card including the 3c Scarlet and the better 24c Red Lilac, Very Fine sets
1861 Issue Proofs. 14 items, including 63P4/78P4 set of 12, others are 78P3 block of four with top imprint and 61TC1 in Black cut down to stamp size, Very Fine group
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/78P4). Group of ten singles and five blocks of four, blocks of Nos. 68P4, 69P3, 71P4 and 78P4 plus 77TC3, singles represent each denomination, large margins, Very Fine group
National Bank Note Co., (1c) Orange, Die Essay of Vignette on India (112-E2). Cut to shape and mounted on 29 x 31mm card, Very Fine and scarce
National Bank Note Co., 1c Small Numeral, Plate Essay on Stamp Paper, Perforated 12, Grilled (112-E4d). Group of three blocks of four in different colors, original gum, block in Chocolate Mint N.H., other two h.r., typical centering for these, Fine, Scott value as singles
National Bank Note Co., 15c Ty. III, Large Die Essays on India, "15" Overprint (129-E1a, 129-E1b). Three, including 29 x 30mm Red Brown with Red Ovpt. (129-E1a), 32 x 32mm Scarlet with Ultramarine Ovpt. (129-E1b), 32 x 33mm Dark Red Brown with Ultramarine Ovpt. (129-E1b), brilliant colors, each with typical India paper mounting thin
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE TRIO OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL 15-CENT TYPE III ESSAYS WITH "15" OVERPRINT.
Scott value $3,500 each.
National Bank Note Co., 90c Red Brown & Black, Lincoln Die Essay on India (122-E4a). Vignette mounted in place as always, large margins, rich colors, Extremely Fine, an attractive essay, Scott value $3,000
3c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (114P2a). 25 x 26mm, small thins and tear at bottom, still appears Very Fine, perhaps 3-5 were produced, ex Cutts and "Lake Shore", with 1983 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (114P2a). 23 x 23.5mm, deep rich color, toning as normally found on these, small faults including thins and small tear at top, still appears Very Fine, rare, perhaps 3-5 are known, with 1978 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (119P2a). Large margins, usual slight overall toning as usually found on these, Very Fine, it is reported that 3-5 were produced though we are aware of slightly greater quantities for some issues, such as certain values of the 1869 Pictorials, with 1994 P.F. certificate
15c Reissue, Ty. III, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (129P2a). Large margin, usual slight toning which is the hallmark of these issues, Very Fine and rare, it is believed 3-5 were produced though we are aware of slightly larger quantities for certain issues, with 1994 P.F. certificate
15c Reissue, Ty. III, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (129P2a). Large margins, usual slight overall toning which is normal for this issue, Very Fine, it is believed 3-5 were produced though we are aware of slightly larger quantities for certain issues
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Plate Proofs on India (112P3-122P3). Complete set of blocks of four with both 15c types, 3c with "No. 8" top sheet margin, 15c Ty. II with "No. 31" top sheet margin, absolutely brilliant colors throughout, full to large margins, one 6c with faint corner bend/crease, 10c with some minor darkening in Eagle's wings, 90c with couple tiny translucencies
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA, INCLUDING BOTH 15-CENT TYPES.
We have offered sets of blocks in the past, but this set, with both 15c types and two plate no. margins, is one of the finest we have encountered.
1c-90c 1869 Pictorials, Plate Proofs on India (112P3-122P3). Set of ten (with 15c Ty. II), each mounted on card, large margins, Very Fine, this was likely cut apart from a presentation album
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-122P4). Complete set of all ten values, ample to large margins throughout, 3c, 6c and 30c slightly faded, otherwise Very Fine set
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-122P4). Complete set of all ten values, fresh colors, ample to large margins throughout, Very Fine
24c Green & Reddish Lilac, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (120TC3a). Block of four, large margins all around, radiant colors, Very Fine and choice, listed but unpriced in Scott as singles and blocks
24c Green & Reddish Lilac, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (120TC3a). Block of four with left sheet margin, brilliant colors, large margins all around, Extremely Fine block of this elusive color variety, listed but unpriced in Scott
24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted, Plate Proof on Card (120aP4). Large to huge margins, bright colors, Extremely Fine example of this desirable invert proof
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Flags Inverted, Plate Proof on Card (121aP4). Huge margins, brilliant colors, small corner thin spot on back is immaterial as it does not affect the front in any way due to the thickness of the card, still Extremely Fine
90c Carmine & Black, Center Inverted, Plate Proof on Card (122aP4). Huge margins including bottom sheet margin, radiant colors
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOF INVERT.
All known examples of these invert proofs come from the sheets obtained by James A. Petrie at the 1881 Atlanta International Cotton Exposition. They were subsequently a part of the Earl of Crawford collection. It is unusual that a single denomination is offered outside of a set, as with the three denominations in this sale.
Ex Price.
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (123TC4-132TC4). Complete set of all ten denominations (less the one unique 90c color combination), 78 in total, large margins, deep rich colors
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOFS.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet 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 later cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles. It is difficult to assemble the complete set of the 1869 Pictorials since the bicolor values come in many different color combinations.
1c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (123TC4). Two blocks of four in Scarlet and Black, Very Fine, Scott value as singles
24c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (130TC4). Four different color combinations, three with large margins, one full margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
1c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (145P2a). Large margins, usual slight toning which is typical on these issues, Very Fine and scarce, it is believed between 3-5 were produced, with 1977 P.F. certificate