Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — Essays and Proofs (Bank Notes thru Scott 423)
National Bank Note Co., 2c Black Brown, Unadopted Jackson Design, Large Die Essay on White Glazed Paper (146-E7b). 64 x 76mm showing the edges of the die sinkage at top and bottom, intense shade, fresh and Very Fine, desirable in this full size (the largest examples we have seen all show die sinkage lines at top and bottom but not sides), also choice condition lacking the usual corner mounting thins
10c Brown, Plate Proof on India (150P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 18 block of sixteen, large margins all around, hinge staining in selvage and on two proofs, otherwise Extremely Fine, the Chapin census does not list any plate blocks for the issued stamp so this proof is the only way to collect it as a plate block, ex Diamond and "Dragon", Scott value as plate block and four singles
2c Brown, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (157P2a). Large margins, very faint overall toning which is normal for this issue, tiny pinhole, Very Fine appearance, it is believed approximately 3-5 were produced
12c Blackish Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (162P2a). Rich color, some slight toning is barely noticeable, Very Fine and rare, it is believed 3-5 were produced
24c Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (164P2a). Large margins to full, deep rich color, free from the toning that can affect this issue, Very Fine, it is believe only 3-5 were produced, with 1990 P.F. certificate
24c Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (164P2a). Full margins, normal slight toning, Very Fine and scarce, it is believed only 3-5 were produced
30c Gray Black, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof (165P2a). Intense shade, some slight overall toning as usually found on these issues, Very Fine and scarce, with 1990 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (166P2a). Large margins, pretty shade, faint overall toning which is normal on these issues, Very Fine, it is believed only 3-5 were produced, with 2005 P.F. certificate
30c Full Black, Plate Proof on India (190P3). Top left imprint, plate no. 405 and half arrow block of fourteen on original card backing, large margins, Extremely Fine, rare, we offered a similar plate block but on card instead of India in our Sale 948 which is believed to be unique (realized $2,200), this one is not unique but is extremely rare with only four plate blocks recorded by essay-proof specialist James E. Lee, the only way to identify this as an India plate proof from the American Bank Note Co. printing is if it is part of a plate block, with 1973 P.F. certificate as No. 165P3
3c Blue Green, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (207P2a). Bright color, Very Fine and scarce, it is believed only 3-5 were produced
6c Rose, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (208P2a). Bright color, natural inclusion at left, Very Fine, scarce, only 3-5 were produced, ex Brazer and Finkelburg
10c Brown, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (209P2a). Large margins, rich color, Very Fine and scarce
1c-90c 1883-88 Bank Note Issues, Small Die Proofs on Wove (210P2-218P2). Intact page from a Roosevelt presentation album, with four yeardate labels, rich colors, Very Fine, scarce as only approximately 85 albums were produced and most sets have been cut apart over the years
90c Purple, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (218P2a). Large margins, discolored, otherwise Very Fine and scarce, it is believed only 3-5 were produced, with 1992 P.F. certificate
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219P4-229P4). Two sets, neither has No. 219DP4 but one set has an additional 2c Carmine in a faded color, accompanied by original envelope in which the sets were distributed, Very Fine
6c 1890 Issue, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Wove (224TC5). Eight singles, each a different color, most with original gum, couple disturbed, part or no gum, ample to large margins, a few small thins and couple slight toning, Very Fine or appear so, ex Fekete and "Dragon"
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set, each is on card backing from what appears to be a Roosevelt album page but we believe they were likely affixed to pieces of a blank page in recent years — the margins are too large to be from a single page and the $2.00 has two tears that doe not affect the card at all (each complete Roosevelt album had blank pages in the back and albums that have been cut up have yielded blank pages), rich colors
VERY FINE APPEARING SET OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 albums were produced.
ADDENDA: these likely were off-card and more recently affixed to blank pieces of a Roosevelt album page. $2.00 with two tears
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set on original card backing, deep rich colors, 1c and $2.00 cards with slightly rounded corner not affecting wove paper, $4.00 hint of oxidation, otherwise Very Fine set, only approximately 85 albums were produced
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set off card, bright colors, a few small flaws or wrinkles from removal from the Roosevelt album pages (they are exceedingly difficult to remove without any damage), but overall fresh and Very Fine appearance
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set, large even margins, beautiful rich colors, 3c tiny margin stain at top left, Very Fine set
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large margins, deep rich colors, Very Fine and choice
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large margins to ample, with original envelope in which they were distributed, rich colors, Very Fine and attractive set, Scott value with no premium for the envelope
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large margins, deep rich colors, fresh and Very Fine set
1894 Issue Essays and Proofs. Group of six items, No. 250-E3, incomplete engraving of design with 18-line high Ty. I triangles (as adopted) engraved in upper corners, 33 x 33mm, small imperfections at top from removal from card, otherwise Fine, ex "Lake Shore", No. 251-E1, two incomplete engravings with 18-line high Ty. II triangles, die sunk on 64 x 82mm and 75 x 93mm cards, first with pencil "Unfinished" at bottom, Very Fine, ex "Whitpain" or "Lake Shore", No. 252-E2, two incomplete engraving essays showing transition from Ty. II to Ty. III triangle designs, including strengthened head and shoulder lines, Dusky Blue Green off-card, faint pencil "3-2" notation, Very Fine, ex Earl of Crawford and "Lake Shore", second Medium Red, 50 x 58mm, small thin spots, appears Very Fine, finally No. 252P1, bottom left corner margin block of four, from the fifteen-die impression laid out to appear as a sheet, Very Fine, these were made from an experimental die — the Bureau ran the experiment to see whether multiple rolling-in from the die could make the transfer process faster, the tremendous pressure resulted in misaligned entries, so the concept was abandoned
1c-$5.00 1894-95 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (247P2-263P2). 12 proofs, the complete set of the 1894 issue except missing the 6c value, removed from Roosevelt album gray cards causing some small faults including thins, 3c and 5c with repaired corners, the key $2.00 and $5.00 values are sound, Very Fine or appears so
1c Blue, Plate Proof on Card (247P4). Top imprint and plate no. 2 block of six, large margins all around, Very Fine, a scarce plate block, one sheet of 400 card proofs was printed for the 1c 1894 Bureau Issue from Plate 2, therefore only two top and eight total plate blocks can exist, we recently offered the other top position plate block in our Sale 1346
2c Pink, Ty. I, Plate Proof on Card (248P4). Right imprint and plate no. 10 block of six, large margins, intense color, Very Fine, a rare plate block, one sheet of 400 card proofs was printed for the 2c Type I 1894 Bureau Issue from Plate 10, therefore only two plate blocks from each position are known, the other right plate block position is a block of ten and was offered in our "Whitpain" sale
$5.00 Dark Green, Large Die Proof on India (263P1). India paper mounted on 127 x 177mm card, faint waterstain spots on card far from the India paper, still Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green, Plate Proof on Card (263P4). Top imprint and plate no. 85 block of six, large margins other sides, deep rich color on bright card
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE PLATE BLOCK CARD PROOF OF THE 1894 $5.00 BUREAU ISSUE.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a plate block of the $5.00. There are no plate blocks recorded for the unwatermarked issue (Scott 263). The watermarked $5.00 (Scott 278) plate block is unique and catalogues $200,000.
2c-15c 1898 Issue, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (279BdP2a, 280P2a-284P2a). Lacking only the 1c and one 2c shade to be complete, bright colors, usual toning of paper, few flaws including most with either small thin spots or translucencies from hinging, 15c small tear at top
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE VIRTUALLY COMPLETE SET OF PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS FOR THE BUREAU ISSUE CHANGE OF COLORS. VERY FEW WERE PRINTED AND EVEN FEWER ARE KNOWN.
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 considered extremely scarce. It is believed that no more than five examples of each stamp were produced.
Ex "Whitpain" where offered with a 1c and other 2c as a complete set. Each with 2009 P.F. certificate.
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285-E8a to 293-E7a). Complete set, 1c thru 10c are hybrids, 50c-$2.00 non-hybrid, die sunk on approximately 204 x 153mm cards, proofs with fresh colors, some card toning outside the die sinkage areas, the 4c with faint toning on part of the India paper, overall Very Fine appearance
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285-E8a to 293-E7a). Complete set, cut down to the size of a small die proof, brilliant colors, several with small translucencies often seen on this fragile paper, Very Fine appearance, SCV $6,750 as full size
1c-50c, $2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285-E8a to 293-E7a). Set which is missing the $1.00, 1c thru 5c, 50c and $2.00 are hybrids, die sunk on approximately 204 x 153mm cards, fresh colors and cards, actually quite nice condition despite the absence of the $1.00, Very Fine
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Small Die Proofs on Wove (285P2-293P2). Complete set, each on original gray card backing, brilliant colors throughout
VERY FINE SET OF THE 1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Small Die Proofs on Wove (285P2-293P2). Complete set, each on original gray card backing, brilliant colors throughout
VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Small Die Proofs on Wove (285P2-293P2). Removed from original gray cards, $1.00 slightly reduced, others large margins, 10c small thin left margin and tiny pinhole bottom margin, 50c small thin top right margin
A SCARCE SET OF THE 1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Approximately 85 sets were produced. Ex "World's Fair" and "Dragon".
ADDENDA: 10c small thin left margin and tiny pinhole bottom margin, 50c small thin top right margin
1c-10c Pan-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (294P2-299P2). Intact page from a Roosevelt album, with "1900" label at center, rich colors
VERY FINE. A RARE INTACT PAGE FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM WITH THE PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE STAMPS.
Only 85 were produced and few are still on their original page.
1c-10c Pan-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (294P2-299P2). Complete set, on original gray card backing which is not visible around proofs, Very Fine, approximately 85 sets were produced
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). Complete set on original gray cards from Roosevelt presentation album, deep rich colors, fresh and Very Fine set, only 85 were produced
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). On original gray cards from Roosevelt presentation album, fresh colors, Very Fine and choice set, only 85 were produced
10c Washington, Trial Color Large Die Proofs (338TC1ah, 338TC1al, 338TC1am). Each approximately stamp size as always, bright colors, fresh and Very Fine, one with 2010 A.P.S. certificate, only one is priced in Scott (at $1,000), Scott value as all priced at $1,000
50c Washington, Trial Color Large Die Proofs (341TC1a). Complete set of all five Scott-listed colors, stamp size as always, Very Fine and rare group, only two are priced in Scott (at $1,000 apiece), Scott value as all priced at $1,000
50c Washington, Trial Color Large Die Proofs (341TC1af, 341TC1ag). Two in different colors, stamp size as always, rich colors, Very Fine and very rare, only one is priced in Scott (at $1,000), Scott value as both priced at $1,000
$1.00 Brown on Blue Green, Trial Color Large Die Proof (342TC1ah). Stamp size as always, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, rare, this color unpriced in Scott, Scott value as one of the priced colors
8c Olive Green, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (414P2a). Pretty color, light diagonal crease, small corner crease at top left, Very Fine appearance, rare as only 3-5 were produced, with 2016 P.F. certificate
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (416P2a). Large margins to full, deep rich color, Fine and rare, perhaps 3-5 are known, with 1978 P.F. certificate
50c Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (421P2a). Large margins, radiant color, Very Fine and rare, for most issues it is believed not more than five Panama-Pacific proofs were produced, with 2016 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Black, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (423P2a). Large margins except where repaired at bottom left corner, rich color, Very Fine appearance, rare, ex Finkelburg, only 3-5 were produced