Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Essays and Proofs, Specimen Overprints
Unknown Author, 2c-5c Native American and Liberty Designs, 1861-66 Essays (73-E3, 73-E4, 73-E5). Five complete sheets of nine, in each of the Scott-listed colors, large margins all around, the Black and Red sheets with a couple small thin spots, overall Very Fine and attractive essays
Unknown Author, 10c Native American Design, 1861-66 Essay (73-E6). Two panes of four on Soft Cream plus four singles on card or proof paper with large stamp-size margins, four different colors represented. Very Fine
2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India, "SPECIMEN" Overprint (73P1S). India paper mounted on 143 x 194mm card, red overprint and "Specimen Postage Stamp from the National Bank Note Company No. 1 Wall Street New York" at bottom of card, bright and fresh
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE DIE I LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
The original state of the Black Jack die, or Die I, does not show the star on Jackson's right cheek or the dots in the upper left scroll. Proofs pulled from this first die date to the issuance of the stamp in 1863. Die II proofs, showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, were pulled later, including probably at the time of the 1875 Re-Issue (which also shows Die II characteristics). The Die I Black Jack large die proof is extremely rare in any format or size, with our without the "Specimen" overprint. There is only one recorded full-size non-hybrid example without "Specimen" overprint. (ex Metzger and Faust). This example with the "Specimen" overprint is also quite rare,
Scott value $10,000 as normal Die I proof.
2c Black, Die I, Large Die Proof on India (73P1). 45 x 57mm, removed from original card but not thinned, showing albino impression of die no. 1030 and imprint at bottom, small inclusion at bottom well clear of design
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE DIE I LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1863 2-CENT BLACK JACK ISSUE.
The original state of the Black Jack die, or Die I, does not show the star on Jackson's right cheek or the dots in the upper left scroll. Proofs pulled from this first die date to the issuance of the stamp in 1863. Die II proofs, showing the star on cheek and dots in upper left scroll, were pulled later, including probably at the time of the 1875 Re-Issue (which also shows Die II characteristics).
The Die I Black Jack large die proof is extremely rare in any size, with or without the "Specimen" overprint. There is only one recorded full-size non-hybrid example (ex Metzger and Faust). There are probably fewer than five total without the "Specimen" overprint in existence in any size and none are die sunk.
Ex Finkelburg and Fosdyke-Ray. With 2018 A.P.S. certificate.
2c Black, Die I, Hybrid Large Die Proof on India (73P1 var). On India paper cut to shape, mounted on larger piece of India and die sunk on 133 x 202mm card, brilliantly fresh, Very Fine and rare even in this hybrid form, probably fewer than five non-hybrid Die I large die proofs exist without the "Specimen" overprint (see previous lot for a non-hybrid example), ex Finkelburg, Scott value $10,000 for normal large die proof
2c Black, Die II, Large Die Proof (73P1a). Die sunk on 62 x 72mm card, with imprint and "1030" at bottom, couple very minor toned specks far from design, small card thin top left corner, still 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), ex Hansen
2c Black, Die II, Large Die Proof (73P1a). Die sunk on 144 x 224 mm card, with imprint and "1030" at bottom, bright and fresh, 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)
2c Black, Die I, Plate Proof on India (73P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 28 block of eight, ample to large margins, crisp impression, typical small India paper translucency at bottom left which is only visible from the back
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK PLATE PROOF ON INDIA PAPER.
Power Search lists only two others offered in our sales since 1999. With 2014 Sismondo certificate stating genuine and free of faults.
2c Black Jack, Die I, Trial Color Plate Proofs on India (73TC3). Ten singles and one pair mounted on an exhibit page, nearly all the listed colors are present, four singles bear a geometric trial cancel, including one in a pair with a non-cancelled proof, a few minor translucencies typical for this fragile paper, Very Fine appearance and an outstanding group of these striking Black Jack trial colors, several are ex Drews, the trial cancel is found on covers from Washington D.C. and was probably obtained to test the trial color proofs, Scott value $3,400 without premium for the trial cancel which is unlisted
2c Black, Francis Patent Essay (73-E). Block of four and horizontal pair, original gum, large margins to clear at left of block, intense shades, slight wrinkling from the gum as often encountered with this thin greenish paper, Very Fine and scarce, pair with 1989 P.F. certificate, also includes a block of three plus a single of the 2c Black, Lowenberg Decalcomania Plate Essay (79-E73P5), good condition for this fragile paper, Very Fine
2c Black Jack, Die II, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (103TC4). Each color represented, large margins, deep rich colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a beautiful set, ex Faust
Unknown Author, 2c Bronze & Violet, "U.S. Postage" Re-Use Prevention Essay (79-E2b). U.S. 10mm high, original gum, h.r., couple punch outs below bronze "U.S", small tear at upper right, Very Fine appearance and rare, unlike some other essays of this type which are folded designs, this re-use essay was pierced with "S"-shaped cuts, with the numeral cut out, this made the stamp fragile, preventing its reuse, ex Finkelburg, Geisler, "Lake Shore" and Drews, with 2005 P.F. certificate.
Unknown Author, "U S 2" (cents) in Metallic Gold on 2c Black Jack, Re-Use Prevention Essay (79-E3). Normal 2c Black (73) with two re-use prevention features added, including two rows of three "S" slits and bold "U S 2" overprint in metallic gold, stamp with straight edge at top and left
VERY FINE. THIS 2-CENT BLACK JACK ESSAY IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE RECORDED IN PRIVATE HANDS. AN OUTSTANDING SHOWPIECE FOR THE CLASSIC AND BLACK JACK STAMP COLLECTOR.
The "S" slits and gold overprint on this essay are similar to the those on the "U.S. Postage" prevention re-use essays offered in the previous lot. The slits and the fugitive ink overprint were designed to make the stamp impossible to lift or soak from a cover for re-use. Scott lists these as "author unknown" but they share similarities with essay material associated with George Bowlsby (under Patent no. 51,782). This particular item was long on the wish-list of several prominent Black Jack collectors. This is a wonderful opportunity for the newer Black Jack collector.
Ex Metzger and Drews.
National Bank Note Co., 2c Black, Typographed Untrimmed Die Essay on Stiff Glazed Paper (79-E27b var). 64 x 76mm, intense color, negative "2" and "S" printed at far left, portion of frame of another design (3c 79-E28) 20mm to right, slight thinning in white areas at top and bottom, Very Fine and rare, we are aware of only two other examples, including one offered in the following lot, neither of those shows the portion of the 3c design at right or the white areas at top and bottom, ex Drews
National Bank Note Co., 2c Black, Typographed Untrimmed Die Essay on Stiff Glazed Paper (79-E27b). 63 x 47mm, intense color, negative "2" and "S" printed at far left, Very Fine and rare, we are aware of only two other examples, including one offered in the previous lot
National Bank Note Co., 2c Die Essays on India (79-E27c). Four, in each of the listed colors including Black, Red, Orange and Violet, couple on soft card, orange with slight oxidation, overall Very Fine, Red with 1991 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Experimental Z. Grill Essay (85B-E var). 11 x 14mm grill size as the issued Z grill but with different shaped grill points and points up, original gum, choice centering, Very Fine and extremely rare, this is the only example we have encountered and the exhibitor believes it to be unique, with 1968 P.F. certificate stating only that this is an experimental grill, with 2016 P.F. certificate stating "No. 85B-E var., Experimental Z Grill Essay, Genuine, Previously Hinged", unlisted in Scott
(Unstated Value) Z. Grill, Thorp Patent Experimental Essays on Tinted Papers (85C-E2). Four on different papers, original gum, Pink with slight oxidation, still Very Fine and scarce, these were produced by embossing the grill on fully perforated sheet selvage of the 3c and 12c Z Grill essay panes
2c Black Jack, Proofs Balance. Range of items, including five plate proofs on card (73P4) mounted on an exhibit page stating the year of production, a few other plate proofs on card including one P.S.E. encapsulated, graded XF-Superb 95, also small die proof off-card from a Roosevelt album (73P2), three stamp size trial color proofs (73TC3), the better Ty. B "Specimen" ovpt. without period at the end (Scott value $500), finally four bank note co. items bearing Jackson, including a check from Tioga County Bank, two different larger engravings and an engraving showing Jackson along with his predecessors from Monroe thru Buchanan, overall Very Fine and interesting group
ADDENDA: The Ty. B "Specimen" Ovpt. is the better type without period
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. A (73SA). Unused (no gum), small manuscript "X" cancellation, centered to left and some slightly blunted perfs at top, still Fine and extremely rare example of the Type A "Specimen" on a Black Jack, we have not offered another since keeping computerized records, the Metzger catalog stated that only one other certified example was known, though the only example listed in the P.F. database has an opinion as fake, ex Metzger and Faust
2c Black, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (73S-B). Block of four and single, block with mount glazed original gum with narrow band of gum loss at top, h.r., Very Good, single with part imprint selvage, disturbed original gum, Fine
2c Black, Red Control Number "8901" Ovpt. (73S). Original gum, intense shade, Fine, research by Michael Plett and Ken Gilbart (Chronicle Aug. 2012, pp. 214-226) solved the long-standing mystery of these specimens and determined that the overprints were applied by a bond-numbering mechanical device