Sale 1374 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 April, 2026
Category — Essays and Proofs: Bank Note Issues
National Bank Note Co., (2c) Jackson, Vignette Only, Progressive Large Die Proof on India (146-E9a). Three, all cut to size and mounted on card, Black 55 x 68mm, Red Violet 33 x 40mm, Orange Brown 34 x 41mm, Very Fine, footnote in Scott notes this is known in Red Violet cut to shape and mounted on card presumably as a template for a hand-drawn essay for the frame and prices it at $1,000 (the examples in Black and Orange Brown must be unknown to Scott editors), Scott value as all the variety
National Bank Note Co., (2c) Jackson, Black, Vignette Only, Progressive Large Die Proof on Glazed Paper (146-E9a). 43 x 50mm, tear at left does not affect portrait, trivial soiling, otherwise Very Fine and very rare, this differs from 146-E9a in shading around the ear, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
National Bank Note Co., 2c Jackson, Large Die Essay on India (146-E12). Brown, on 71 x 84mm card with full die sinkage, fresh and Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 2c Jackson, Large Die Essay on India (146-E12). Four, Blue, Violet, Brown Orange and Carmine, from 30 x 34mm to 38 x 40mm, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine and scarce group
2c Red Brown, Plate Proof on India (146P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 12 block of 14, large margins, light bend at lower left, Extremely Fine and attractive
2c Red Brown, Plate Proof on India (146P3). Top imprint and plate no. 46 block of 12, huge margins, vibrant color, small translucency at bottom right, otherwise Extremely Fine, this is the only example we have offered from the top plate position, ex Dr. Burrows
National Bank Note Co., (3c) Washington, Black, Vignette Only, Large Die Essay on Glazed Paper (147-E9). 64 x 77mm showing die sinkage area at top and bottom, small tear along die sinkage border at lower left, otherwise Very Fine, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
National Bank Note Co., 3c Washington, Large Die Essay on India (147-E12). Five, each a different color, approximately 150 x 230mm with full die sinkage, couple light pencil notations, Very Fine group
National Bank Note Co., 3c Washington, Large Die Essay on India (147-E12). Two, in Black and Dark Red Violet, first 67 x 78mm with full die sinkage, second on 75 x 95mm card which may not be contemporary and with small tear at top well away from design, Very Fine
National Bank Note Co., 3c Dull Orange on Thick Paper, Perforated 12, Safety Underprinting Omitted (147-E13c). Top imprint and plate no. 25 block of ten, original gum, h.r., few perf separations sensibly reinforced, two stamps with tears, otherwise Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore", unpriced even as a single in Scott
National Bank Note Co., 3c Dull Orange on Thick Paper, Perforated 12, Safety Underprinting Omitted (147-E13c). Top imprint and plate no. 25 block of ten, original gum , h.r., few minor perf separations, otherwise Very Fine, unpriced even as a single in Scott
National Bank Note Co., 3c Brown on Thick Paper, Perforated 12, Safety Underprinting Omitted (147-E13c). Top imprint and plate no. 25 block of ten, original gum , few h.r., Very Fine, unpriced even as a single in Scott
3c Green, Large Die Proof on India (147P1, 158P1). Including two of latter, first with National Bank Note Co. imprint on 77 x 88mm card, other two on approximately 88 x 98mm rads, all show full die sinkage, Very Fine and attractive
3c Washington, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (147TC3). Top imprint and plate no. 10 block of 12, large margins, rich color which looks to us as Red Brown or Orange Brown, horizontal crease at top of selvage (easily trimmed), Extremely Fine and rare, unpriced as a plate block, Scott value as singles
3c Green, Plate Proof on India (147P3). Top imprint and plate no. 25 block of 20, large margins, rich color, on thin card so free from the defects that can plague this fragile paper, Extremely Fine
National Bank Note Co., (6c) Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E2). Black, 57 x 65mm and mounted on 68 x 87mm card, fresh and Very Fine
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Engraved and Watercolor Essay (148-E3). On 45 x 52mm thin white card, portrait engraved but not completed, pencil and watercolored frame with blank labels, light scuff at upper left of card of no consequence
VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE ESSAY COMBINING AN ENGRAVED VIGNETTE WITH PENCIL AND WATERCOLOR FRAME FOR THE 6-CENT LINCOLN BANK NOTE ISSUE. A PHENOMENAL EXHIBITION ITEM.
This unique essay shows ornaments in the top corners, which were later removed for the final design. Other elements such as the ribbon at bottom and top and the design at sides, were adopted in slightly modified form for the issued stamp. This is the only Lincoln hand-drawn essay for the Bank Note issue.
Ex Hackett and Landau.
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E4). Five, each approximately 70 x 80mm with full die sinkage, each a distinctly different color, Very Fine and colorful group
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E5). Ultramarine, On 45 x 55mm card, incomplete with extra shading below and other differences, Very Fine, this is only known in Ultramarine and Carmine, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India, Die State IIA (148-E6 var). Orange Brown, on 73 x 100mm card with full die sinkage, pencil "6c" at top and "Change in cheek hair Change in Border" in pencil below, also with pencil lines in side frames, small diamond cutout in card at top, few small toned spots, Very Fine, the engraved portion is the same as Die II but this has pencil added to the design and also pencil notations, these changes were never engraved, Scott Catalogue should really list this separately but instead they have a footnote, ex Brazer and Landau, Scott value as normal $1,000
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E6). Violet, on 68 x 143mm card with full die sinkage, pencil "6c" at top and "Lincoln" below, deep rich color, Very Fine and very scarce, Scott Catalogue only notes the previous lot with pencil notations, Scott value as normal $1,000
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E6, 148-E7). One of each, first stamp size and Gray Olive Green, second Blue Green and 26 x 31mm, some slight thinning, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a great opportunity to acquire two different states of the die
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E7). Orange, 101 x 113mm card with full die sinkage, radiant color, Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E7). Dark Brown, on 76 x 101mm card with full die sinkage, intense color, few minor toned spots on card, Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E7, 148-E8). One of each, first in Yellow Green and 31 x 36mm, second in Rose and stamp size, few faults, Fine-Very Fine appearance, the latter shows much softer engraving on the cheeks and other differences, a nice contract for the specialist
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E9A). Black (the only Scott-listed color), on 44 x 47mm card, intense shade, differences from other essays can be easily seen at sides, Very Fine and very rare, this is the first time we have offered this essay
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E10a). Deep Blue, on 98 x 103mm card with full die sinkage, showing hair brushed back and lines on cheek, fresh and Very Fine, scarce
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E10c). Carmine, on 68 x 80mm card and barely showing die sinkage area, similar to the previous lot but with no panels above the top label, few toned spots, otherwise Very Fine and rare
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E11). Pale Rose, on 74 x 85mm card with full die sinkage, pretty color, fresh and Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 6c Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (148-E11). Four, including Red Violet, Rose Carmine, Rose Pink and Orange, the last is unlisted, from stamp size to last 48 x 50mm, few faults, Fine-Very Fine group
6c Carmine, Trial Color Large Die Proof on India (148TC1ag). On 56 x 74mm card with full die sinkage, radiant color, Very Fine, pencil "Essay before ear" written below, we believe this to be a Trial Color proof and not an essay
6c Carmine, Large Die Proof on India (148P1). On 62 x 72mm card, with "National Bank Note Co. NY" embossed seal below design and manuscript "Lincoln" at lower right, Very Fine, this is reportedly the only example with the embossed seal, ex Landau, Scott value as normal $1,750
6c Carmine, Large Die Proof on India (148P1). On 106 x 144mm card with full die sinkage, with National Bank Note Co. imprint, signed by engraver D.S. Ronaldson in pencil at lower left, Very Fine, this is reportedly unique signed by the engraver and it is also very rare with the imprint which was added after the die's completion, ex Landau, Scott value as normal
6c Carmine, Large Die Proof on India (148P1). On 92 x 102mm card with full die sinkage, crisp impression, without imprint, Very Fine, scarce
6c Carmine, Large Die Proof on India (148P1). On 69 x 79mm card and barely showing full die sinkage area, a slightly darker shade than other examples, few trivial toned spots, Very Fine
6c Carmine, Plate Proof on India (148P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 26 block twelve, large margins other sides, deep rich color, Extremely Fine
2c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (157TC3). Bottom plate no. 2 block of 20, without imprint, green crayon "Reenter 2 x" with matching arrow and notation between stamps, additional red crayon squiggle between stamps, mounted on thin card, Very Fine and very unusual, if the "Reenter" resulted in a modification to the design then this would technically be classified as an essay, this is also very unusual without any imprint which may have been added after the design was completed, an unusual item
2c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (157TC3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 6 block of sixteen, huge margins, affixed to card, faint bend at left, otherwise Extremely Fine, scarce, ex Dr. Burrows, unlisted as a plate block in Scott
2c Brown, Plate Proof on India (157P3). Top imprint and plate no. 164 block of fourteen, large margins to just in on one stamp, small thin spots at top, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Dr. Burrows
2c Brown, Plate Proof on India (157P3). Top imprint and plate no. 4 block of fourteen, large margins, rich color, few minor paper flaws mostly in top sheet margin as often found on this fragile paper, Extremely Fine
2c Brown, Plate Proof on India (157P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 2 block of eighteen, large margins, dark color, Very Fine, ex Dr. Burrows, Scott value as plate block and block of four
1876 Joseph Schnoble Patent, 3c Green, Plate Essay on Pink Varnished Paper (158-E2). Top imprint and plate no. 286 block of sixteen, original gum, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, otherwise Very Fine, scarce and desirable plate block, ex "Lake Shore", Scott value as singles $1,600
3c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on Card (158TC4a). Five multiples, including four different imprint and plate no. blocks: block of 16 from Plate 9, blocks of 12 from Plates 7, 7 and 17, last is block of eight with "No. 1" in top sheet margin, couple small faults, Very Fine group
6c Lincoln, Goodall Small Die Trial Color Proofs on India (159TC2). Seven total, including two each of Black, Deep Green and Dull Gray Blue and one of Dull Red, four on original cards of varying sizes, three off card, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine and scarce group
6c Rose, Large Die Proof on India (159P1). On 90 x 104mm card with full die sinkage, bright color, Very Fine, rare, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
6c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (159TC3a). Top imprint and plate no. 18 block of 12, large margins other sides, on thin card so free from the faults that can plague this fragile paper, Extremely Fine, a rare plate block, unlisted in Scott as a plate block, Scott value $450 as three blocks of four
6c Dull Pink, Plate Proof on India (159P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 21 strip of six, large margins, bright color, small thin spot, Very Fine and scarce, the full plate block catalogues $2,000, Scott value as singles $660
6c Lincoln Bank Note Proofs Balance. Eleven items, including 159P2 (3), 208P4 (four singles and a block of eight), three blocks of four of 208P3, few faults, most Very Fine
7c Orange Vermilion, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (160P2a). Full margins, usual faults including some staining, otherwise Fine and scarce, perhaps 3-5 were produced
2c Vermilion, Large Die Proof on India (183P1). 62 x 75mm with imprint at bottom, radiant color, tiny thin spot at top left, appears Very Fine, ex Dr. Burrows
2c Vermilion, Plate Proof on India (183P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 412 block of 12, large margins, vivid color, fresh and Very Fine, ex Dr. Burrows
2c Vermilion, Plate Proof on India (183P3). Top imprint and plate no. 338 block of sixteen, large margins, mounted on card so free from faults that can plague this fragile paper, some oxidation, otherwise Extremely Fine, Scott value as plate block and block of four
Continental Bank Note Co., 3c Washington, Die Essays on Proof Paper (184-E10b). Five, complete for Scott-listed colors, from 26 x 33mm to 33 x 41mm, bright colors, few small thin spots, appear Fine-Very Fine, scarce complete set, ex "Lake Shore"
Continental Bank Note Co., 3c Washington, Large Die Essay on White Glazed Paper (184-E10c). Complete set of all four Scott-listed colors, approximately 66 x 77mm, three have small tabs at left showing very edge of die sinkage area, minor soiling, one or two small thin spots, Very Fine and scarce complete set
3c Green, Plate Proof on India (184P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 342 block of 12, large margins, plated on back in pencil, red crayon "Apl. 15/80" at bottom right, few minor faults as usually associated with this fragile paper, otherwise Very Fine, this is similar to an example offered in our Sale 890 lot 500, unlisted in Scott
2c Black Brown, American Bank Note Co. Plate Proof on Thin Card (193P4). Bottom imprint and plate no. block of fourteen with American Bank Note Company imprint and plate no. 412, few faults mostly confined to left stamps but also small internal tear on two other stamps, otherwise Very Fine plate proof—ABNC issued three Scott-listed 2c stamps of this design (183, 193, 203), the ABNC imprint and plate no. 412 is late in the sequence of their production of 2c stamps, numbers 412 and 413 had to have been made in late 1881, because they follow 407, assigned to the 1c Re-engraved issued in August 1881; this must have been a proof made at the time of the ABNC 1880 Special Printing on soft paper (Scott 193); we offered a plate block from Plate 413 in our Sale 1359 in 2025, which came from the intact pane offered in our 2004 Rarities sale (since broken), this is the only example we have encountered from Plate 412, ex Dr. Burrows, Scott value as plate block of twelve and two singles
3c Blue Green, Plate Proof on India (207P3). Two bottom imprint and plate no. blocks of 12, one from Plate 411, other from Plate 416, large margins, rich color, first tiny nick in bottom sheet margin two at bottom right with small pinholes, second hole in pos. 2 and small thin on sheet margin, otherwise Very Fine
6c Lincoln, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (208TC1). Black, on 44 x 40mm card, few toned spots, Fine and rare, this color not listed in Scott which prices other colors at either $1,000, $1,100 or $1,250, the Bennett Landau sale had one in black which they described as unique
6c Lincoln, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (208TC1). Two, on approximately 150 x 226mm cards with full die sinkage, in Indigo and Chestnut Brown, "Duplicate Die C-60 American Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprints, each with red control number at top center, Extremely Fine, this goes with the group of 31 with similar red control numbers we offered in our recent Sale 1367 (lot 135)
6c Rose, Large Die Proof on India (208P1). Die sunk on 145 x 210mm card with full die sinkage, imprint at bottom, rich color, presentation book binding at left on back, few small toned spots, otherwise Very Fine and very rare, we have offered only one other since keeping computerized records and it was much smaller, ex Finkelburg
6c Rose, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (208P2a). Unusually deep rich color, usual slight paper toning as found on this issue, trivial natural inclusion, Very Fine, scarce, only 3-5 were produced, this unusual color may have been struck but not used in the Panama-Pacific Exposition presentation, ex Brazer and Finkelburg
6c Deep Rose, Plate Proof on Card (208P4). Top imprint and plate no. 427 strip of six, small scuff at bottom of second stamp, still Very Fine and scarce multiple, the plate block on card is unpriced in Scott, a plate block of the issued stamp catalogues $11,500, this is a very affordable alternative, Scott value as singles $300
3c Green, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (214TC1). On 85 x 94mm card with full die sinkage, "Worked Over By New Company June 29th 1881" imprint, couple tiny insignificant pinpoint toning specks far from design, otherwise Extremely Fine