Sale 1359 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 22-24 July, 2025
Category — Essays and Proofs: 1870 Bank Notes thru 20th Century Issues
1c-90c National, Continental and American Bank Note Cos., Plate Proofs on India and Card (145P3/218P4). Comprehensive assemblage of plate proofs on India and card for the Large Bank Notes, complete for each of the emissions from the three Bank Note Companies except for the ultra-rate No 112P4 (of which only a few singles are known), includes Nos. 145P3-155P3, 156P3-166P3, 156P4-166P4, 205P4-209P4, 210P3-218P3 and 210P4-218P4 (less the aforementioned 212P4), brilliant colors throughout, large even margins, Extremely Fine sets and desirable with this degree of completeness
1c-90c 1870-73 Bank Note Issues, Small Die Proofs on Wove (145P2, 157P2-166P2). Complete set of eleven from a Roosevelt presentation album, on original gray cards, fresh and Very Fine, approximately 85 were produced
1c-90c 1870-71 National Bank Note Co., Plate Proofs on India (145P3-155P3). Complete set of blocks of four with matching left sheet margins on original cards, large even margins other sides, brilliant colors, free of the India paper flaws commonly seen since they remain affixed to the original cards, Extremely Fine and desirable set from the Lilly sheets, ex Earl of Crawford, Ackerman and Lilly
1c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (145P2a). Large margins, certificate notes light toning which is not evident so may have been lightened, still Very Fine, it is believed between 3-5 were produced, with 1990 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine, Plate Proof on India (155P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 23 strip of five, brilliant color, Extremely Fine
24c Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (164P2a). Full margins, fresh and Very Fine, scarce as it is believed only 3-5 were produced, ex Finkelburg
90c Rose Carmine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (166P2a). Large margins, pretty shade, light toning which is normal for these issues, creases at lower right with one ending in tiny thinning, otherwise Very Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine, Plate Proofs on India, Card (166P3, 166P4). Blocks of four, distinctly different shades, first on card backing, Very Fine, ex Finkelburg who described them as Deep Rose Carmine (166P3) and Dark Rose Carmine (166P4)
2c Black Brown, American Bank Note Co. Plate Proof on Thin Card (193P4). Bottom imprint and plate no. block of 14 with American Bank Note Company imprint and plate no. 413, Very Fine plate proof in the issued color of the 1880 American Bank Note Co. Special Printing. The American Bank Note Company issued 2c stamps of this design as follows: 1879 Vermilion Regular Issue (Scott 183); 1880 Scarlet Vermilion Special Printing (Scott 203); and 1880 Black Brown Special Printing (Scott 193). The 2c was printed earlier in Brown by the National and Continental Bank Note firms, but in 1875 the color was changed to Vermilion while Continental still had the contract to print stamps. The imprints on this plate proof leave no doubt that it was American's product. The plate number 412 is relatively late in the sequence of numbers assigned by American to plates used for the 1879 Issue. For the 2c Vermilion, American used two Continental plates (296, 297) and manufactured plate numbers 338, 339, 391, 392, 393, 394, 412 and 413 for additional printings (presumably including the Black Brown Special Printing). Plate numbers 412 and 413 had to have been made in late 1881, because they follow number 407, which produced the 1c Re-engraved issued in August 1881. Numbers 412 and 413 also fall within the range of numbers assigned to the last twelve plates created for the 3c Re-engraved (Scott 207) issued in 1881 (numbers 408-411, 414-421). In 1881 there was no reason for American to produce a Black Brown trial color proof for a 2c regular issue. American's only purpose in producing a 2c Black Brown plate proof in 1881 would be to prepare more "old issues" for the Special Printing program. We offered a plate block from Plate 412 in our Burrows sale in 2003; the plate block offered here comes from the intact pane offered in our 2004 Rarities sale which has since been broken, dealer's backstamp on each, with copy of 2001 P.F. certificate for the pane, Scott value as plate block of twelve and two singles
1c-10c 1881-82 American Bank Note Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (205P4-209P4). Complete set in six blocks of four, each of the denominations including both shades of the 6c, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
10c Brown, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (209P2a). Deep rich color, tiny pinholes at corners of design, Very Fine appearance, ex Finkelburg
1c-90c 1883-88 Bank Note Issues, Small Die Proofs on Wove (210P2-218P2). Complete set of nine proofs, each on original card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album, bright colors, Very Fine, only approximately 85 albums were produced
1c-90c 1883-88 Bank Note Issues, Plate Proofs on India, Card (213P3-218P3, 210P4-211P4, 213P4-218P4). Blocks of four, the India paper blocks on card backing from the Lilly sheets with left sheet margins (5c without sheet margin), brilliant colors, Extremely Fine group, the India paper blocks in particular are elusive
1c-90c 1887-88 Bank Note Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (212P2-218P2). Seven, on original card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album that are cut to exact size, brilliant colors, Very Fine, only approximately 85 albums were produced
1c Ultramarine, Plate Proof on India (212P3). Block of four, large to huge margins all around, deep rich color, Extremely Fine and scarce, Power Search lists only one other block, we have not offered one since we last sold this block in 2009 and 2015 — this realized $1,100 the last time it was sold, despite the very modest catalogue value
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (219P2, 220P2-229P2). Complete set of 11, removed from original gray card backing, lacking only the 2c Lake to be complete (this shade was not on the original page), Very Fine
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on India and Card (219P3-229P3, 219P4-229P4). Complete sets on India and card including both 2c colors, large even margins throughout, bright colors, fresh and Extremely Fine sets, wonderful quality
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219P4-229P4). Including 219DP4, large margins, rich colors, Very Fine set
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219P4-229P4). Including 219DP4, large margins, rich color, Very Fine set
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219P4-229P4). Complete set in blocks of four with both 2c colors, large to huge margins including a few with narrow sheet margins, 15c arrow margin at top, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a choice complete set of blocks
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (230P3-245P3). Complete set on original card backing and so free of the usual India paper imperfections, large even margins throughout including $4.00 with card sheet margin at left, brilliant colors
FRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE SET OF COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA, ON ORIGINAL CARD BACKING CUT FROM THE LILLY SHEETS.
The complete sheets of India and card proofs from the Josiah K. Lilly collection, which were formerly in the Earl of Crawford and Ackerman collections, were dispersed in Sale 321 in September 1967. The sheets were divided into panes of 100 (or half sheets of 50, depending on the plate format) after the sale. One set of panes remains essentially intact in a private collection. The other set of panes has been further subdivided over the years. This exceptionally fresh set comes from that division. The Columbian India paper proofs are more elusive than the card proofs — particularly in this choice condition.
1c-$2.00, $4.00-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (230P3-242P3, 244P3-245P3). Set missing only the $3.00, large margins to full on the $5.00, rich colors, just a couple of tiny translucencies as usually seen on this fragile paper but the condition is better than most, Very Fine
ADDENDA: SET DOES NOT INCLUDE THE $3.00
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large margins to clear, with original envelope in which they were distributed, rich colors, few small toned spots are barely noticeable, Fine-Very Fine set, Scott value without premium for the envelope
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Large margins, rich colors, Very Fine and choice set
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set, large even margins all around, brilliant colors, Extremely Fine set cut from the Lilly sheets
1c-$5.00 1894-98 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (247P2-263P2, 279P2-284P2). Complete set of 17 proofs plus an extra 6c, each on original gray card backing, brilliant colors
VERY FINE. A SCARCE AND DESIRABLE COMPLETE SET OF 1894-98 BUREAU ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 albums were produced. This set nicely recreates the complete page from the album, with the 1894 issue plus the four 1898 Change of Colors (and an extra 6c). Five proofs with 2019 P.S.E. certificate, four graded Superb 98 and one XF-Superb 95 (proofs unpriced in SMQ).
1c-$5.00 1894 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (247P4-248P4, 256P4, 262P4-263P4). Complete set of the five denominations that were issued as card proofs, large even margins all around, rich colors, Extremely Fine set
6c Brown, Plate Proof on Card (256P4). Top imprint and plate no. 28 block of six, huge margins, brilliant color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT BUREAU ISSUE PLATE PROOF ON CARD.
The 6c is one of only five denominations issued as a card proof. We have offered this top position and two bottom position plate blocks since keeping computerized records. Ex Finkelburg.
6c Brown, Plate Proof on Card (256P4). Block of four, large margins including bottom sheet margin, rich color, small tear entirely in sheet margin at bottom left, Very Fine appearance, a scarce block
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
2c Carmine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (279BfP2a). Rich color, usual slight toning as encountered on this issue (not noted on certificate), Very Fine, a rare example of this shade, it is believed 3-5 were printed, ex "Whitpain", with 2009 P.F. certificate
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-10c Pan-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (294P2-299P2). Complete set on original gray card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album, Very Fine set, only approximately 85 were produced
2c-10c Pan-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (295P2, 298P2, 299P2). Four proofs, including two of 10c, removed from original gray card backing, one 10c small thin spots, Very Fine, only approximately 85 of each were produced
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). On original gray card backing from a Roosevelt album, rich colors, Very Fine and choice set, only 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, 50c with light toning in margins, overall Very Fine set, only approximately 85 were produced
50c Violet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (421P2a). Large margins to full, rich 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
3c Violet, Victory, Small Die Proof on Wove (537P2). Bright color, some toning on back, Very Fine appearance, very scarce, Power Search lists only one other offered in our sales since 1993, ex Fekete
2c Black, Harding, Small Die Proof on White Wove (610P2). 26 x 29mm, fresh and Very Fine, Power Search does not list another example
29c Christmas Toys, Proofs (2718aP). Six items, including 2718aP (2), 2718aPc, 2718aPe, 2718aPg, last is unlisted large 126 x 130mm glazed card with color samples at bottom, Very Fine and very unusual, from the American Bank Note Company archives, last item is unlisted, SCV for others $5,600