Sale 1374 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 April, 2026
Category — 1c-3c 1861-68 Issue Essays, Proofs and Issued Stamps
1c Blue, National Bank Note Co. Red Safety Network Essay (79-E26g). Without gum, deep rich color, clear rows of red overlapping rings, the so-called "Bedspring" safety network overprint, tiny thin spot at top right
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE "BEDSPRING" SAFETY NETWORK OVERPRINT ON THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE, ATTRIBUTED TO EMANUEL HARMON.
The safety network overprint essays listed in Scott as 79-E26 are discussed the Hofmeyr book and in two important articles by James Lee, Richard Drews and Jan Hofmeyr in the 2016 and 2017 Chronicle (no. 251, pp. 260-274 and no. 253, pp. 64-72). Both Abram Gibson and Emanuel Harmon received patents for reuse prevention ideas based on overprinting intaglio engraved stamps with surface printed networks of light wavy lines in various colors. Either the intaglio ink or network ink would be fugitive and wiped away if an attempt was made to reuse the stamp. The essay offered here conforms to the Harmon patent and is so attributed in the first Chronicle article. Harmon was from Washington D.C. and there is an example of the 3c 1861 Issue known with the Bedspring overprint tied to a piece by a Washington D.C. cancel (see Sale 890, lot 263).
Ex Clifford Cole. With 2025 P.F. certificate.
National Bank Note Co., 3c Black, Progressive Die Essay on India (65-E12). On 153 x 112mm card with full die sinkage, India paper trimmed to outside the die sinkage area — first state of Die 441 (without number or imprint), no scrollwork around perimeter and no ornaments inside the numerals and "US" — card with some very faint soiling, Very Fine and rare progressive die essay, ex Drews
National Bank Note Co., 3c Scarlet, Progressive Die Essay on India (65-E13). India paper affixed to 61 x 36mm card, with pencil arrows pointing out traces of scrollwork around perimeter — this die state likely followed the finished First Design, which at this stage lacks the completed ornamentation around the perimeter (appears to have been removed from die) but has some of the ornaments inside the numerals and "US" that appear in later states — Very Fine, illustrated in Scott Catalogue, ex Drews
National Bank Note Co., 3c Black, Die Essay on India (65-E14a). 46 x 52mm and mounted on 75 x 76mm card (which may not be contemporary), detailed impression, die no. 441 and imprint at bottom, Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 3c Scarlet, First Design, Die Essay on India (65-E14a). On 71 x 70mm card with full die sinkage, with die no. 441 and imprint, radiant color, Very Fine
National Bank Note Co., 3c Deep Red, Die Essay on India (65-E14a). 56 x 58mm, die no. 441 and imprint at bottom, small thin spot at top (could conceivably be trimmed), appears Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
3c Black, First Design, Die Essay on India (65-E15c; formerly 56TC1). Die sunk on 70 x 84mm card, India trimmed within die sinkage area, die no. 441 and imprint at bottom, fresh and Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"
National Bank Note Co., 3c Orange Red, First Design, Die Essay on India (65-E15c). Hybrid, stamp size, affixed to India and die sunk on 147 x 216mm card with full die sinkage, trace of binding from album at left, Very Fine, Scott value as normal
National Bank Note Co., 3c First Design, Scarlet, Plate Essay on India (65-E15f). Bottom imprint and plate no. 2 strip of four, radiant color, large margins to clear, third stamp sealed tear at top, small thin spot at bottom of sheet margin (easily trimmed), still Very Fine and rare imprint and plate number multiple, Scott value as singles without premium for the better position $1,400
National Bank Note Co., 3c First Design, Scarlet, Plate Essay on India (65-E15f). Block of four, large margins, bright color, Very Fine and attractive, Scott value as singles
National Bank Note Co., 3c First Design, Red, Plate Essay on India (65-E15f). Bottom sheet margin block of four with part imprint and "Plate", mounted on card, large margins other sides, Extremely Fine, Scott value as singles
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Bottom imprint and plate no. 2 block of eight, original gum, h.r., some perf separations sensibly reinforced, bright color, oxidized in a few tiny spots, tiny tear in plate number selvage
FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1861 3-CENT FIRST DESIGN.
The Chapin census records only six plate blocks. Scott value $20,000.
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Block of four, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., well-centered for this tightly spaced value, rich color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as four singles without premium for the Mint N.H. stamps
3c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1ae). On 74 x 71mm card with full die sinkage, with die no. 441 at bottom, fresh and Very Fine
3c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1ae). Die sunk on 62 x 59mm card which is cut close to the India paper but shows full die sinkage, albino die no. 441 and imprint at bottom, intense shade, Very Fine, lovely trial color proof
3c Dark Blue, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1j). On 152 x 223mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, Very Fine, scarce
3c Dark Rose, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1ar). On 117 x 152mm card with full die sinkage, die no. 441 and imprint at bottom, Very Fine
3c Green, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1al). On 74 x 73mm card with full die sinkage, faintly inked die number and imprint at bottom, rich color, Very Fine
3c Brown, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (65TC1a). On 152 x 225mm card with full die sinkage, lightly inked imprint and die no. at bottom, Very Fine, lovely trial color proof
3c Pale Blue, Trial Color Plate Proof on Stamp Paper (65TC5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 19 block of 12, ample margins other sides, lovely bright color, Very Fine and scarce, this is the only we have offered since our 2005 "Lake Shore" sale, ex Curtis where this realized $4,250 hammer, unlisted in Scott
3c Rose, Trial Color Plate Proof on Experimental Paper (65TC5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 34 block of eight, original gum, h.r. at top, large margins, few creases, still Very Fine, scarce plate block
3c Deep Red Brown, Trial Color Plate Proof (65TC5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 21 block of eight, original gum, several are Mint N.H., deep rich color, razor-sharp impression showing every nuance of the design, choice centering throughout
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL PLATE BLOCK OF THIS DESIRABLE TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOF. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE.
Ex Hansen. With 2002 P.S.E. certificate describing this as previously hinged no longer accompanies. Unlisted in Scott.
3c Rose Lake, Imperforate on Stamp Paper (65P5 variety). Horizontal strip of four with "ENGRAVED BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY CITY OF NEW YORK" imprint and "No. 52 Plate." plate number at bottom, original gum, large margins, rich color
AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FOUR OF THE 3-CENT ROSE LAKE IMPERFORATE TRIAL COLOR PRINTING.
Ex Hubbell (Sale 262), "Ambassador", Chapin and Gross. Signed on back by Economist Stamp Co. 1994 P.F. certificate as Scott 66a no longer accompanies.
3c Lake, Plate Proof on India (66P3). Two items: first is top imprint block of 12, large margins other sides, second is bottom part imprint and plate no. 55 pair, deep rich color, Very Fine, Scott value as singles
3c Rose, Specimen Ovpt. (65S-B). Horizontal strip of three with part imprint and full "No. 11 Plate" bottom selvage, original gum, rich color, somewhat off-center, still attractive and desirable piece for the specialist, only 15 sheets of 100 were overprinted, Scott value as three singles without premium for the imprint and plate number
3c Rose Pink (64b). Block of four, disturbed original gum, vibrant color, top left stamp small tear at left, bottom stamps with horizontal crease at top, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Drews, with 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2026 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85)
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 37 block of 12, original gum thickly applied and with typical unevenness as often found on classic multiples, rich color, few reinforced perf separations, Very Good-Fine, an attractive and scarce plate block, Scott value as plate block of eight and two pairs
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 14 block of 12, original gum, most stamps lightly hinged, brilliant color, pos. 2 tiny thin speck, pos. 4 and 10 faint vertical crease, still Fine, Plate 14 is one of the scarcer plates to obtain as a plate block, ex Chapin and Curtis, Scott value as plate block of eight and two pairs
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 52 block of 12, original gum, most stamps Mint N.H., side stamps not affecting plate block h.r., brilliant color and paper, two small ink marks at bottom of one selvage
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF 12 OF THE 1861 3-CENT FROM PLATE 52.
This is one of the scarcer plate numbers—this is the first from this plate we have offered in 30 years. Scott value as plate block of eight and two pairs.
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 13 block of eight, original gum, two at bottom lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, choice centering throughout
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL PLATE BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT ROSE 1861 ISSUE.
Ex Dr. Yudowitz. With 1994 P.F. certificate stating Mint N.H. no longer accompanies. Scott value as hinged.
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 33 block of six, original gum, very lightly hinged (if at all), brilliant color
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1861 3-CENT ROSE FROM PLATE 33.
The Chapin census lists only a plate block of 12 and two plate blocks of eight from Plate 33. We believe this is a fourth recorded plate block.
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 32 block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged,, bright color, fresh and Fine plate block from Plate 32 which is a scarcer plate
3c Rose (65). Bottom right corner selvage imprint and plate no. 11 block of 40, original gum, all stamps except for two far from plate block Mint N.H., natural straight edge at left into two stamps, natural gum spillage in selvage, thin spot in top right selvage not near plate block, Very Good, a rare and attractive multiple, ex Curtis, Scott value $10,190 as hinged plate block, blocks of four and pairs
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H. bottom selvage strip of four with most of imprint and plate no. 34, radiant color, Fine and scarce multiple, only three full plate blocks from this plate are recorded in the Chapin census, Scott value $540 as two hinged pairs, as a plate block of eight $4,750
3c Rose (65). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, small toned spot at top left, otherwise Very Fine
3c Rose, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (65d). Top margin block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins at top and bottom, perfectly centered at sides, rich color, pressed-out diagonal crease with internal tears affects both pairs but not readily apparent on face
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
The number of 3c 1861s released imperforate horizontally is not known, but they are very rare in any form. Ex Mitchell and Hulme. Scott value as two pairs $25,000.
3c Rose, Imperforate (65P5; formerly 65c). Block of six with bottom part imprint and plate no. 11, unused (no gum), large margins to full, tiny nick at far bottom left of sheet margin, Very Fine and very rare imperforate multiple showing the plate number, Scott value $3,000 as three pairs, listed but unpriced as a plate block of eight
3c Rose, Imperforate, Chemically Treated Blued Paper (65P5 var; formerly 65c var). Top right corner sheet margin block of four, large margins other sides, original gum, bluing especially evident in gummed area, light diagonal creases, Very Fine appearance, unlisted in Scott, Hofmeyr attributes these to Loewenberg, Scott value as normal imperforate pairs $2,000
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, detailed impression, beautiful centering with well-proportioned margins, tiny corner crease at top left mentioned on most recent certificate, Extremely Fine appearing original-gum example of the 3c Lake trial printing, Scott 66, ex Hansen, 1980, 1992 and 2000 P.F. certificates no longer accompany
3c Scarlet, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (74TC1a). Die sunk on 66 x 64mm card with full die sinkage, die no. 441 and albino imprint at bottom, beautiful bright color in this distinct shade
VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL COLOR IN LARGE DIE PROOF FORM.
We feel this is of greater importance than the other trial colors for the 3c design, as this color was also used to print the elusive Scott 74. This is one of only three recorded examples and the first we have encountered. Ex Drews.
3c Scarlet, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (74TC2a, formerly 74P2a). Brilliant color, paper toning as with all Panama-Pacific proofs, small thin spot at top, Very Fine appearance, rare
3c Scarlet (74). Unused (no gum), radiant color, choice centering, faint pressed-out horizontal crease, some soiling removed
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT SCARLET TRIAL PRINTING WITHOUT PEN MARKS.
The story of the 3c Scarlet was documented by the late Jerome S. Wagshal in a series of articles appearing in the Chronicle (Nos. 56, 60, 61 and 62). Wagshal quotes statements made in 1893 and 1910 by a Washington D.C. stamp dealer, Carl F. Rothfuchs, to the effect that Rothfuchs obtained a supply of the 3c Scarlet in 1893—probably from the Post Office Department in exchange for his assistance with the Columbian Exposition—and sold them with pen marks and original gum. The Rothfuchs lot is not from the same supply acquired by John W. Scott in the late 1870s, from which stamps exist uncancelled and cancelled with a New York City Station D oval.
Ex Hansen. 1972 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. Scott value as with gum.
3c Rose, All-Over Grill Essay, Points Down (79-E15a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 36 block of eight, top essays traces of or part original gum, large margins, bright color, few creases affect bottom stamps
VERY FINE APPEARANCE AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE SO-CALLED "BISCUIT GRILL" ESSAY. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
We have offered only one other plate block since keeping computerized records. The other was last offered by us in our Sale 756 in 1993. Ex "Lake Shore" and Hansen. 1995 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. Scott value $2,800 as singles.
3c Rose, All-Over Pinpoint Grill Essay (79-E15d). The so-called "Music Box" grill, top selvage block of 16 with imprint, natural straight edge at left, mostly Mint N.H., few stamps at center with natural paper wrinkles, top left stamp light corner crease at top right, some perf separations, appears Very Fine, scarce large multiple, we have only offered three plate blocks since keeping computerized records which only come from the bottom position, ex "Lake Shore" and Hansen, 2005 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies, Scott value as singles
3c Rose, All-Over Pinpoint Grill Essay, Points Up (79-E15d). The so-called "Music Box" grill, bottom imprint and plate no. 34 block of eight, original gum, two stamps h.r., couple Mint N.H., tiny sealed edge tear at bottom of selvage, Fine appearance and very rare, Power Search contains only three plate blocks of this essay with points up, we recently offered one in our Sale 1328, ex Finkelburg, Scott value $600 as singles does not adequately convey its rarity
3c Rose, All-Over Pinpoint Grill Essay, Points Down (79-E15e). The so-called "Music Box" grill, bottom imprint and plate no. 11 block of eight, barely hinged with few Mint N.H., surprisingly intact perfs, Fine, scarce plate block as we have only one other plate block with points down keeping computerized records (it is offered in the following lot), the Points Down essay has been reported only from plate no. 11, ex "Lake Shore" and Hansen, 2005 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies, Scott value $1,000 as singles does not adequately reflect the rarity of this multiple
3c Rose, All-Over Pinpoint Grill Essay, Points Down (79-E15e). The so-called "Music Box" grill, bottom imprint and plate no. 11 block of eight, original gum, two stamps h.r., couple Mint N.H., sealed edge tear thru selvage affects one stamp, Fine appearance and very rare, Power Search contains only one other plate blocks of this essay with points down, offered in the previous lot, the Points Down essay has been reported only from plate no. 11, ex Finkelburg, Scott value as singles without premium for the rare plate block position
National Bank Note Co., (3c) Washington Lithographed Essay, Portrait Only, Face Lined (79-E24 var). 69 x 68mm with white border, struck in scarlet, fresh and Very Fine example of this scarce essay, we offered this as 79-E24c in our 2025 sale of the Hofmeyr collection, but the new P.F. certificate states this is a different die and therefore 79-E24 var, ex Finkelburg, with 2025 P.F. certificate
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