Sale 1304 — The Brian M. Bleckwenn Collection of United States First Issue Revenues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-13 December, 2023
Category — First Issue Die and Plate Proofs (1c-70c)
1c Proprietary, Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (R3TC1). 51 x 47mm, crisp impression, fresh and Very Fine, only two are recorded, none was offered in the Joyce sale
1c Proprietary, Blue, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Bond, India, Card (R3TC). Ten items, including single and two blocks of four of Blue, perforated, one block gummed, card proofs in Red and Carmine, India proofs in Red, Black, Pale Buff, Deep Blue and Dull Red (pair), overall a Very Fine and scarce group
1c Proprietary, Trial Color Plate Proofs (R3TC). Exhibit page with two pairs, strip of three and two blocks of four, including Pale Buff, Dark Blue (unlisted in Turner), Deep Blue and Green, some show evidence of varnish coating, others look as though they were subjected to testing of the inks, a Fine-Very Fine and unusual group
1c-5c First Issue, Trial Color Proofs on Blue Paper (R3TC, R15TC, R16TC, R29TC). Including single and pair of 1c, single, strip of four and block of four of 3c, singles of 2c and 5c, each printed in issued color but on experimental Blue paper, large margins to clear including 5c with left sheet margin, few small faults to be expected, a Very Fine and rare group, the 2c is reportedly unique
2c Certificate, Blue, Plate Proof on Card (R7P4). Block of 90, large margins, deep rich color, showing major double transfer in fifth row and several plate scratches, Very Fine multiple and an excellent tool for identifying plate varieties, Scott value $2,752 as blocks and singles
2c Proprietary, Black, Carmine, Large Die Trial Color Proofs (R13TC1). Black 56 x 53mm, Carmine 43 x 51mm, fresh and Very Fine, rare set of the two known colors, only two of the Black are known, both ex Joyce
2c Proprietary, Black, Large Die Proof on India (R13TC1). 22 x 27mm, Very Fine and scarce
2c Proprietary, Blue, Plate Proof on Card (R13P4). Block of twelve with bottom imprint and plate no. 2 A, large margins other sides, Very Fine and rare, ex Joyce, Scott value $375 as blocks of four without premium for the better position
2c U.S.I.R., Black, Brown, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Bond (R15TC5). Block of four and single of Brown, block of four and three singles of Black, large margins, one faded (almost looks like printed in fugitive ink), Very Fine and scarce group, both colors are unlisted in Scott, the listed colors are priced at $110 apiece
2c U.S.I.R., Trial Color Plate Proofs on Bond (R15TC5). Five items, including Light Green (2), Pale Buff single and strip of five and pair of Violet Rose, some with protective varnish coating, some subjected to attempted removal of cancels causing fading, Very Fine and scarce group
3c Telegraph, Green, Plate Proof on Card (R19P4). Block of ten with bottom imprint and blank "Plate No.", large margins to just clear at left, radiant color, shallow thins on back at bottom, Very Fine and rare position piece, ex Joyce, Scott value $315 as blocks and singles
4c Playing Cards, Violet, Small Die Proof on India (R21P2). Stamp size, crisp impression, Fine and scarce
4c Proprietary, Trial Color Plate Proofs on India (R22TC3, R22TC4). Three singles and block of four, including single and block of four of Black on India, single of Red Lilac on card in what looks like a fugitive ink, also R22P4, Very Fine group
4c Proprietary, Violet, Large Die Proof on India (R22P1). 25 x 32mm, rich color, Very Fine and rare, ex Joyce
5c Certificate, Express, Composite Large Die Proof on India (R24P1a). 61 x 44mm, showing layout lines around each design, rich colors, small thin spot at left, Very Fine, this composite large die proof is reportedly unique, ex Joyce where illustrated in color, listed but unpriced in Scott
5c Inland Exchange, 10c Power of Attorney, Plate Proofs on Card (R27P4, R37P4). Blocks of six with bottom imprint and plate numbers, full margins other sides, second with trivial thins on back of card at bottom, Very Fine and attractive, ex Joyce, Scott value $265 as normal blocks and singles
5c Proprietary, Red on Blue, Trial Color Plate Proof on Bond (R29TC5). Vertical strip of three, large margins to huge including top sheet margin, small piece out at bottom right affects bottom stamp, horizontal crease between top two, some discoloration of the paper (designed to do this as an anti-reuse measure), otherwise Very Fine and scarce multiple, unpriced in Scott
10c Bill of Lading, Power of Attorney, Composite Large Die Proof on India (R32TC1a). 52 x 34mm, intense color and impression in a shade slightly darker than the following lot, Very Fine and rare, only two 10c composite trial color proofs are recorded, in slightly different shades, the other is offered in the following lot, ex Joyce, listed but unpriced in Scott
10c Bill of Lading, Power of Attorney, Composite Large Die Proof on India (R32TC1a). 72 x 55mm, deep rich color, trivial thin spot at top well away from designs, Very Fine appearance, only two 10c composite trial color proofs are recorded, in slightly different shades, the other is offered in the previous lot, listed but unpriced in Scott
10c Foreign Exchange, Blue, Plate Proof on Card (R35P4). Block of ten with bottom imprint and plate no. 10 I, large margins to just touched at left, rich color, few small hinge thins on back, Very Fine and scarce, Scott value $346 as normal blocks and singles
10c Proprietary, Blue, Large Die Proof on India (R38P1). 42 x 49mm, rich color, Very Fine and scarce, we have been unable to locate another, ex Joyce
20c Foreign Exchange, Inland Exchange, Composite Large Die Proof on India (R41P1a). 67 x 43mm, radiant color, small thin spot at top left well away from design, Very Fine and rare, this is the only recorded example of a composite large die proof for the 20c denomination, ex Joyce where illustrated in color, listed but unpriced in Scott
25c Bond, Red, Plate Proof on Card (R43P4). Large margins all around, beautiful color, Extremely Fine
25c-$5.00 First Issue, Black, Hybrid Trial Color Large Die Proofs (R45TC1, R73TC1, R78TC1, R83TC1, R87TC1, R88TC1). On India, stamp size and on cards, remarkably detailed impressions, Very Fine and scarce, all are listed but some are unpriced in Scott, the listed are priced between $400 and $475 apiece
25c Entry of Goods, Red, Plate Proof on Card (R45P4). Large margins, radiant color, Extremely Fine, scarce
25c Life Insurance, Protest, Red, Plate Proofs on Card (R47P4, R49P4). Blocks of four, each with right imprint and plate no. 25, the first "25 G2", second "25 J", large margins other sides, trivial small thins on back, Very Fine, a wonderful pair showing same plate number but different letters, ex Joyce, Scott value $280 as normal blocks
30c Foreign Exchange, Deep Red Lilac, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (R51TC3). Block of four with left imprint and plate no. 30, large margins other sides, Very Fine and very rare, ex Joyce, Scott value as singles with no premium for the better position
30c Foreign Exchange, Slate Blue, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (R51TC3). Block of four with top sheet margin, large margins, intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Foreign Exchange, Trial Color Plate Proofs on India (R51TC3, R51P3, R51P4). Three singles, two pairs and a block of four, including pair and single in Black, single on India and card for issued color, block of four and pair of Deep Red Lilac, large margins, fresh colors, Very Fine and attractive group, Scott value as singles
30c Foreign Exchange, Lilac, Plate Proof on Card (R51P4). Block of four with left imprint and plate no. 30, large margins, Very Fine and choice, an extremely rare imprint and plate number multiple, ex Deats and Joyce, Scott value $425 as normal block of four
30c Inland Exchange, Lilac, Plate Proof on Card (R52P3). Strip of five with bottom imprint and plate no. 30 F, large margins other sides, small selvage thins, still fresh and Very Fine, very rare, ex Joyce, Scott value $330 as singles
50c Entry of Good, Red, Trial Color Plate Proof on Bond (R55TC5). Large margins including part of adjoining proofs at left and bottom, radiant color, Extremely Fine
50c Entry of Goods, 60c Inland Exchange, Plate Proofs on Card (R55P4, R64P4). 50c strip of three, 60c strip of five, each with bottom imprint and plate no., 50c with "50 N", 60c with "60 F", large margins other sides, trivial thinning on back, Very Fine and rare, ex Joyce, Scott value $325 as singles without premium for the better positions
50c Foreign Exchange, Blue, Plate Proof on Card (R56P4). Horizontal strip of five with bottom imprint and plate no. 50 I, large margins other sides, rich color, Very Fine, ex Joyce, Scott value $225 as singles
50c Probate of Will, Blue, Plate Proof on India (R62P3). Horizontal strip of five with bottom imprint and plate no. 50 W, large margins to clear, intense color, Very Fine, ex Deats and Joyce, Scott value $295 as singles
70c Foreign Exchange, Green, Plate Proof on Card (R65P4). Strip of five with bottom imprint and plate no. 70 I, large margins other sides, rich color, Very Fine