Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — Essays and Proofs (Back-of-Book)
1913, 20c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E2P2a). Full margins, deep rich color, fresh and Very Fine, perhaps 3-5 exist, we have offered only one other since keeping computerized records
10c Orange, Special Delivery, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E3P2a). Bright orange-yellow color on cream-colored paper, remarkably fresh, Extremely Fine, according to The Speedy by Henry Gobie, only four sets were produced (p. 107).
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E6P2a). Deep rich color, virtually free of the toning that can plague this issue, Very Fine, rare, perhaps 3-5 were printed
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E6P2a). Large margins to full, pretty pale shade, slight overall toning as usually found on these issues, Very Fine, perhaps 3-5 were printed
10c Green, Special Delivery, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E7P2a). Large margins, crisp impression, Very Fine and very rare, perhaps 3-5 were printed
10c Ultramarine, Registration, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (F1P2a). Large margins, bright color
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOF OF THE 10-CENT REGISTRATION ISSUE.
It is believed only 3-5 were produced. We have offered only two others (both in our sale 1346 in 2025) since keeping computerized records.
1c-50c Postage Due, Small Die Proofs on Wove (J1P2-J7P2, J22P2-J28P2, J31P2-J37P2). Two intact pages from a Roosevelt presentation album, first with labels for "1879" and "1891", second with label for "1894", bright colors, fresh and Very Fine, this is a complete set of all small die proofs for the Postage Due issues, approximately 85 of each were produced and very few remain on their pages
1c-50c Brown, 1879 Issue, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (J1P2a-J7P2a). Complete set of seven denominations, usual toning characteristic of this rare printing, 30c light translucency from hinge but otherwise the set is sound
VERY FINE. A RARE ESSENTIALLY SOUND COMPLETE SET OF THE 1879 POSTAGE DUE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS. ONLY FOUR OR FIVE OF EACH VALUE EXIST.
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 extremely scarce. Perhaps five sets were produced.
1c-50c Red Brown, 1884 Postage Due, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (J15P2a-J21P2a). Complete set of seven denominations, deep rich colors with characteristic paper toning
VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1884 POSTAGE DUE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS. ONLY FOUR OR FIVE OF EACH VALUE EXIST.
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 extremely scarce. At most five sets were produced. We have offered only two other sets since keeping computerized records.
1c-50c Bright Claret, 1891 Postage Due, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (J22P2a-J28P2a). Complete set of seven denominations, vivid colors, typical very slight toning on a few, 3c with diagonal crease
VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1891 POSTAGE DUE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS. ONLY THREE TO FIVE OF EACH VALUE EXIST.
Each accompanied by 2006 P.F. certificate.
1c-50c Claret, 1894 Postage Due, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (J31P2a-J37P2a). Complete set of seven denominations, large margins, characteristic overall toning as often found on these issues, 3c small corner margin crease, 5c small thin at right, 50c small thin spot, still a Very Fine set, each with 2022 P.S.A.G. certificate
1c-50c 1894 Postage Due, Large Die Proofs on India (J31P1-J37P1). On approximately 63 x 110mm cards with full die sinkage, 2c smaller, few insignificant toned spots, Very Fine set, ex Curtis
2c Claret, 1894 Postage Due Issue, Plate Proof on Card (J32P4). Bottom imprint and plate no. 34 block of six, large margins, Extremely Fine, the 2c is the only value of the 1894 Issue prepared in card-proof form, examples are scarce and plate blocks are rare
2c Brown Black, 3c Black, Post Office, Large Die Essays on White Ivory Paper (O48-E1c, O49-E4c). First 35 x 39mm, crisp impression, Very Fine, ex Fekete, second 64 x 66mm, fresh and Very Fine, scarce in sound condition
Officials, India Plate Proof Multiples. Incredible accumulation of India proof multiples, formerly part of the George Sayers collection (known for his Departmental Plate Varieties studies and binders), all departments are represented to a lesser or much greater degree with a range of multiple sizes from blocks of four to a complete set of 1c-90c State Department corner margin blocks of 25 on original card backing (no dollar State proofs in this collection), some other departments also with similar corner margin large multiples on original card, nice condition with a minority showing typical India paper flaws, a collection that would be nearly impossible to duplicate, a rough count of total proofs as singles came to more than 1,600, which at $20 each in Scott (without premiums for block format) is more than $33,000
Officials, Plate Proof Collection. Huge collection of single mostly card proofs in seven binders, formerly part of the George Sayers collection (known for his Departmental Plate Varieties studies and binders), these were largely collected for Sayers's study of plate varieties and many of his notes are present, all departments are represented, some Atlanta proofs are present, India blocks, some proofs with fake perforations to appear as stamps, also approximately 50 dollar State Department card proofs, the majority in good condition but some sets will have faults or fading, also some proofs fell out over time and were put back not necessarily in the same position, overall an incredible assemblage, a conservative count of total proofs came to more than 1,700, which at $20 each in Scott is more than $35,000, see lot 5636 for stamps from the same collection
1c-$20.00 Official Issues, Plate Proofs on India and Card (O1P3-O93P3, O1P4-O93P4). Complete sets, large margins, fresh and Very Fine sets
5c-25c 1865 Issue, Plate Proofs on Thin Card (PR2P4 var-PR4P4 var). Large margins, on card that is noticeably thinner than normal P4's, large margins, few thin spots at corners, Very Fine appearance, unusual, ex Schwenck
2c-$60.00 1875 Newspapers & Periodicals, Small Die Proofs on Wove (PR9P2/PR32P2). 23 proofs on original card backing from a Roosevelt presentation album, complete except missing the 24c value, Very Fine, only approximately 85 sets were produced
2c-$60.00 1875 Newspapers & Periodicals, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs (PR9TC4-PR32TC4). Complete set of 120 proofs in all five issued colors, large to full margins, characteristic bright colors
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS OF THE 1875 NEWSPAPERS & PERIODICALS ISSUE.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Very few complete sets exist intact.
1c-96c 1885 Newspapers & Periodicals, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (PR81P2a-PR89P2a). Complete set of nine denominations, bright colors throughout and displaying a bit of the typical light toning, 96c tiny nick at bottom, overall fresh
VERY FINE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1885 NEWSPAPERs and periodicals ISSUE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS.
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 extremely scarce. For most issues only three to five sets were produced. We offered a different set in the Mooz sale, but apart from that set and the one here, we have never offered another since keeping computerized records. Our extensive digital library contains a third set, offered in the 2006 Bennett sale of the "Chesapeake" collection.
Ex Schwenck and "Dragon". Each with 2006 P.F. certificate.
2c-$100.00 1895 Newspapers & Periodicals, Large Die Proofs on India (PR102P1-PR113P1). On approximately 150-155 x 200mm cards with full die sinkage, rich colors, fresh and Very Fine set
2c-$100.00 1895 Newspapers & Periodicals, Large Die Proofs on India (PR102P1-PR113P1). On approximately 151 x 200mm cards with full die sinkage, bright colors, fresh and Very Fine set
1c-$100.00 1895 Newspapers & Periodicals, Small Die Proofs on Wove (PR102P2-PR113P2). Intact page from a Roosevelt album, with "1894" label at center, Very Fine, only 85 were produced and few pages remain intact
Essay-Proof Balance. Five items, Large die proof Lincoln engraving, toning spots, otherwise Very Fine, Alexander Hamilton engraving very similar to the design on REA29 Beer stamp, No. 67-E9d plate essay on India, also block of four of RT2P3, overall Very Fine and diverse group
Obsolete Currency, U.S. Stamp Vignettes. Group of 16 pieces of obsolete currency, some are signed and used, the majority show vignettes that were either stock dies also used to design images on U.S. postage stamps, or vignettes that show very similar designs to U.S. stamps, also four show female allegorical designs with three accompanied by cards with color versions of the engraving, for the main stamp design vignettes the lot has five notes with Franklin or Washington vignettes (or both) similar to the 1847 issue designs, also one Canal Bank note with portraits similar to the 1c and 3c 1851 issue designs, for the 1869 Pictorial issue the lot has a North Western Bank signed and used note with "The Crossing" design as on the 3c stamp, Citizens' Bank of Louisiana S.S. Adriatic design as on the 12c stamp, also another note with a similar ship design, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Co. signed and used note with Signing of the Declaration of Independence as on the 24c stamp, also notes with Lincoln and Jackson designs, the condition is overall good though most would not likely grade highly from a currency grading service, an outstanding group for the stamp or essay-proof collector