Sale 1328 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 23-25 July, 2024
Category — Essays and Proofs (Columbian thru Later Issues)
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Each matted on colored backing papers and artfully mounted in a large frame with "1893 Columbian Exposition india proofs 230-245P3" and signed "Irv Yollis New York 1976" at bottom, brilliant colors though the $4.00 with slight fading, despite the inscription these are card proofs, Very Fine and beautiful artwork for a stamp room or home library
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set, large margins to full on a side for 2c, 6c, and $1.00, beautiful rich colors, Very Fine
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large even margins, rich colors, Very Fine set
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian, Plate Proof on India (242P3). Block of four, bright color and large margins, typical India paper thinning near top, appears Extremely Fine
$2.00 Brown Red, Columbian, Plate Proof on Card (242P4). Block of four, large margins and deep rich color, Extremely Fine
$2.00 Yellow Green, Columbian, Plate Proof on India (242P3). Block of four, large margins and free of the usual India paper translucencies, Very Fine and choice, a nice quality block
$5.00 Black, Columbian, Plate Proof on India (245P3). Block of four, intense shade, full to large margins, typical India paper wrinkles, Very Fine and scarce block of the Columbian top value, the India paper proofs are much more elusive than the card proofs
$5.00 Black, Columbian, Plate Proof on Card (245P4). Block of four, full to large margins, fresh and Very Fine
1c-$5.00 1894 Bureau Issue, Large Die Proofs on India (247P1-248P1, 253AP1, 254P1-263P1). Set of 14 large die proofs, includes an extra 1c in a very slightly different shade (247P1) and the rare 2c in Pink No. 248P1, each die sunk on approximately 152 x 200mm cards, brilliant colors throughout, crisp cards, $2.00 tiny toned spot on card far from India paper
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A FRESH AND BEAUTIFUL SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE 1894 BUREAU ISSUE.
The 2c in sets like this is almost always occupied by the Carmine shade. The Pink is very rare and we have offered only a couple others since 1993. Scott value counting the 2c as Carmine, which is unpriced as Pink.
1c-$5.00 1894 Bureau Issue, Large Die Proofs on India (247P1/263P1). One 2c in Carmine, on approximately 152 x 199mm cards, 1c-15c with full die sinkage, others mounted on card, including a second $2.00 which is 119 x 148mm showing full die sinkage and signed in pencil by Ellis and Smillie (engravers), few small faults including last with few toned spots, overall Very Fine appearing and scarce set
$2.00 Dark Blue, Plate Proof on Card (262P4). Block of four, large to full margins, rich color, Very Fine and rare block, the wide availability of plate proofs on India and card up to the 1893 Columbian Issue should not confuse collectors considering this block, after 1893 plate proofs of any issue become much rarer, for the 1894 Issue only five denominations were printed and only as card proofs
$5.00 Dark Green, Plate Proof on Card (263P4). Block of four, large even margins, rich color, Extremely Fine and rare block, the wide availability of plate proofs on India and card up to the 1893 Columbian Issue should not confuse collectors considering this block, after 1893 plate proofs of any issue become much rarer, for the 1894 Issue only five denominations were printed and only as card proofs
1c-15c 1898 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (279P2, 281P2-284P2). Complete set of four on original gray cards from a Roosevelt presentation album, rich colors, Very Fine, only approximately 85 were produced
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285-E8a to 293-E7a). Complete set, die sunk on approximately 204 x 153mm cards with no hybrids, wonderful fresh colors on bright and pristine cards
EXTREMELY FINE. A VERY CHOICE SET OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI BI-COLOR LARGE DIE ESSAYS.
Of the 166 sets printed in these colors, many were hybrids. This set contains no hybrids.
8c Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essay on India (289-E4). Dark Red frame, die sunk on 177 x 126mm card, deep rich colors, Very Fine
50c Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essay on India (291-E4). Dull Dusky Blue Green frame, die sunk on 175 x 125mm card, deep rich colors, Very Fine
"Western Cattle in Storm" Engraving. 238 x 189mm, on thick wove paper, showing die sinkage, partly affixed to larger card, depicting a herd of cattle seeking shelter from a storm, this depiction was based on the painting "The Vanguard" by Scotsman John A. MacWhirter and was used as the design for the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi — postal officials had based the stamp engraving on an illustration from an advertising brochure and had failed to realize the cattle was not Western U.S., but from the Scottish Highlands — Very Fine, an outstanding frontispiece to a Trans-Mississippi exhibit, accompanied by 1998 Trans-Mississippi souvenir sheet
1c-10c Pan-American, Large Die Proofs on India (294P1-299P1). Die sunk on approximately 76 x 65mm cards, creating a neat 7mm card border around each piece of India paper, brilliant colors, 1c card slight toning not affecting the India paper — which has a slight pucker at right, overall Very Fine set easily displayable on an album page
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). Complete set of 14 on card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album, rich colors, 50c slightly oxidized
VERY FINE AND SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1902 ISSUE FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 presentation albums were prepared.
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). Complete set of 14, each on original gray card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album, each with large card margins, rich colors
VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF 1902 ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 albums were produced. Each is accompanied by a graded 2017 P.S.E. certificate -- mostly 100's or 98's with one 95 (inexplicable). The 50c was called sulphurated on the certificate but it has been subsequently treated and returned to its original color.
1c Green, Louisiana Purchase, Large Die Proof on India (323P1). Die sunk on 182 x 152mm card, gorgeous deep color, blue Bureau control no. 131939 on back, couple tiny toned specks far from stamp design, Very Fine, ex Getlan
1c Green, Louisiana Purchase, Small Die Proof on Wove (323P1). Larger margins than the usual Roosevelt proof, probably because this was created later, small stain spot at bottom right, appears Very Fine and rare, the 1904 Louisiana Purchase issue was not yet released when the Roosevelt presentation albums were prepared in 1903, and so was not included in the initial album production, several years after the albums were produced ten were updated with stamp issues that came after 1903, therefore, Roosevelt proofs of post-1903 issues are more than eight times rarer than proofs of the earlier issues, ex Getlan
3c Violet, Louisiana Purchase, Small Die Proof on Wove (325P2). Rich color, light diagonal crease at bottom left, appears Very Fine and rare, the 1904 Louisiana Purchase issue was not yet released when the Roosevelt presentation albums were prepared in 1903, and so was not included in the initial album production, several years after the albums were produced ten were updated with stamp issues that came after 1903, therefore, Roosevelt proofs of post-1903 issues are more than eight times rarer than proofs of the earlier issues, ex Getlan, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Dark Blue, Louisiana Purchase, Small Die Proof on Wove (326P2). Rich color, Very Fine and rare, the 1904 Louisiana Purchase issue was not yet released when the Roosevelt presentation albums were prepared in 1903, and so was not included in the initial album production, several years after the albums were produced ten were updated with stamp issues that came after 1903, therefore, Roosevelt proofs of post-1903 issues are more than eight times rarer than proofs of the earlier issues
2c Carmine, Jamestown, Small Die Proof on Wove (329P2). Rich color, Very Fine and scarce, a review of our sales using Power Search failed to locate another example, ex Fekete, with 2014 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Alaska-Yukon, Small Die Proof on Wove (370P2). Deep dark color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine and very scarce, as noted in other lots in this sale containing small die proofs, issues after the 1903 release of the Roosevelt presentation albums are much rarer than the issues prior to 1903, with 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Violet, Victory, Small Die Proof on Wove (537P2). Bright color, some toning on back, Very Fine appearance, very scarce, this is the only example listed in Power Search, ex Fekete
1c-5c Pilgrim Tercentenary, Large Die Proofs on Thick Wove (548P1-550P1). Complete set of three, each approximately 65 x 54mm, brilliant colors, bright and fresh
EXTREMELY FINE SET OF DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1920 PILGRIM TERCENTENARY ISSUE.
The Scott Catalogue lists large die proofs on India and small die proofs on white wove for the Pilgrim Issue. This set is clearly on white wove but measures considerably larger than small die proofs. Scott value for both sets is nearly the same.
Ex Field.
1½c Yellow Brown, Large Die Proof on India (553P1). Die sunk on 154 x 206mm card, typed "Approved: March 7, 1925" and signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, blue control no. 153881 on back, small and faint stain at the far left edge of the card, Very Fine, Scott value as an unsigned proof
1c Dark Green, Huguenot-Walloon, Large Die Proof on India (614P1). Die sunk on 221 x 147mm card, deep rich color, blue Bureau control no. on back is only partially complete, card with faint corner crease at top left, couple very minor wrinkles outside the India paper, Very Fine and scarce, we have not offered a 1c die proof outside of a paltry three complete sets since 1993
1c-5c Huguenot-Walloon, Small Die Proofs on Wove (614P2-616P2). Brilliant color, large margins
VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED SETS OF THE HUGUENOT-WALLOON TERCENTENARY SMALL DIE PROOFS ON WOVE.
Two sets are known. This set was owned by President Roosevelt, Lilly and Livingston and was offered in our 1984 Rarities sale. The other was offered in our 2009 Rarities sale.
Ex President Roosevelt, Lilly, 1984 Rarities sale and Livingston.
1c Deep Green, Lexington-Concord, Large Die Proof on India (617P1). 101 x 77mm India paper affixed inside slightly larger die sunk area on 147 x 125mm card, brilliant color, blue Bureau control no. 1318550 on back, Very Fine and scarce, we have not offered a 1c die proof outside of a paltry four complete sets since 1993
1c-5c Lexington-Concord, Small Die Proofs on Wove (617P2-619P2). 43 x 27mm, rich colors
VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF SMALL DIE PROOFS OF THE LEXINGTON-CONCORD ISSUE.
This is the only set we have offered since keeping computerized records in 1993.
2c Aeronautics, Small Die Proof on Wove (649P2). Large margins, Very Fine and rare, with 2014 P.F. certificate
2c Yorktown, Small Die Proof on Wove (703P2). Even margins, rich colors, Extremely Fine, a rare proof of this popular commemorative, Power Search lists three examples of large die proofs but no other small die proofs, ex Fekete
3c Daniel Webster, Small Die Proof on Wove (725P2). Beautiful color, bright and crisp, Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples listed in Power Search, ex Fekete
3c Mothers, Small Die Proof on Wove (737P2). Rich color, Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples listed in Power Search, ex Fekete, with 1979 P.F. certificate
3c Nicolet's Landing, Small Die Proof on Wove (739P2). Deep rich color, Extremely Fine, no other examples appear in Power Search, ex Fekete
4c Mesa Verde, Small Die Proof on Wove (743P2). Deep rich color, Extremely Fine and rare
3c Texas Centennial, Small Die Proof on Wove (776P2). Large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine and rare, this is the only example listed in Power Search
1c-5c Navy Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (790P2-794P2). Complete set of five, bright colors, 5c trivial wrinkle at top
VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SET OF SMALL DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1936-37 NAVY ISSUE.
From our 1984 Rarities sale.
3c Golden Gate, Small Die Proof on Wove (852P2). Rich color, Extremely Fine and very rare, this is the only example listed in Power Search, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; proofs unpriced in SMQ)
3c 50th Anniversary of Statehood, Small Die Proof on Wove (858P2). Brilliant color, Extremely Fine and rare
3c Pan-American Union, Small Die Proof on Wove (895P2). Vivid color, Extremely Fine and very rare, outside of a large intact group of 20th Century small die proofs offered in our Sale 1113, this is the only example we have offered since before 1993, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; proofs unpriced in SMQ)
3c Thirteenth Amendment, Small Die Proof on Wove (902P2). Large margins, detailed impression, Extremely Fine, this is the only example listed in Power Search
3c Florida Centennial, Small Die Proof on Wove (927P2). Brilliant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, scarce small die proof, with 2008 P.F. certificate