Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — Essays and Proofs: Back-of-Book Issues
10c Dark Brown, Special Delivery, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (E1TC1a). Die sunk on 139 x 114mm card, wonderful depth of color, fresh and Very Fine, a rare trial color proof, we have not offered another example since 2005
10c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (E6P2a). Bright color, couple small thin spots in top left margin, appears Very Fine, rare, ex Fekete, with 1991 P.F. certificate
Special Delivery Essays and Proofs. 13 items mounted on album pages, several Roosevelt small die proofs including Nos. E1P2-E4P2 and E6P2, also E4P1 cut down to 76 x 56mm, E7-E4, others are India or card plate proofs, fresh and Very Fine group, Scott value not counting the plate proofs
1c-50c Brown, 1879 Postage Due, Hybrid Composite "H" Proof (J1P3-J7P3 var). The seven values on India paper cut close and pressed on die sunk 120 x 145mm card, some slight toning in card margins far from the designs, Very Fine and rare, this is the so-called "H" proof because of the manner in which the proofs are arranged on the card and the proofs used to make this presentation item are the only ones available that are Brown (like the four lower values) as opposed to the Dark Brown India plate proofs of the 10c-50c from full sheets
1c-50c 1879 Postage Due, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (J1TC4-J7TC4). Complete set of 35 in all five colors, large margins, fresh and Very Fine, the Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta, only one sheet of 50 in each color was made available after 1881, they were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles, very few have been kept together as intact sets
Postage Due Proofs. Album pages with large number of proofs, some are large die including trial colors, complete sets of Roosevelt small die proofs for J1P2-J7P2 and J22P2-J28P2, sets of plate proofs including an envelope in which card proofs were distributed, also two unusual "Due Bearer" essays from Clarksburg Pa., overall a strong assemblage
1c-$20.00 Officials, Plate Proofs on India (O1P3-O93P3). Complete set, mostly full to large margins, just a couple in on a side, bright colors, small flaws as to be expected on this fragile paper, overall Very Fine or appear so, the India proof sets are far less frequently encountered than the card proof sets
1c-90c Officials, Plate Proofs on Card (O1P4-O93P4). Complete set plus a couple extra items, bright colors, full to large margins, Very Fine
1c-90c Officials, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (O1TC4/O93TC4). Complete set of each Department in the five colors less the State Department dollar values, includes an extra set of the Justice Dept. in Scarlet, fresh colors, mostly full to large margins, just a very few are cut close or touched on a side, brilliant colors
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR collection OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOFS for THE OFFICIAL "CENTS" VALUES.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet of 50 in each color was printed. The sheets were somehow acquired by James A. Petrie of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, at the close of the exposition (along with the 1869 invert card proof sheets). Petrie claimed that he rescued the proofs just before they were to be burned. They were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles. These are often offered either by denomination or in other smaller groupings. It is difficult to assemble the complete set.
1c-$20.00 State, Hybrid Large Die Proofs on India (O57P1-O71P1). 14 proofs, complete except missing the 30c value, India paper cut to shape and affixed to larger piece of India die sunk on gilt-edged large cards, fresh colors, Very Fine
1c-$20.00 State, Small Die Proofs on Wove (O57P2-O71P2). Complete set, removed from Roosevelt album grey card backing or perhaps never affixed because these lack the thin spots that typically result from removal (the adhesive used is difficult to dissolve without damage to the proofs), fresh and Very Fine set
$2.00-$20.00 State Department, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (O68TC4-O71TC4). 19 proofs, 17 different (out of a possible 28), including $2.00 three different color combinations, $5.00 four different color combinations plus an extra Scarlet & Black, $10.00 four different color combinations, $20.00 seven different color combinations plus an extra Blue & Brown, mostly large margins with just a few sides ample, deep rich colors
VERY FINE. A RARE EXTENSIVE GROUP OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE DOLLAR-VALUE STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE.
Complete sets of the bicolor State Department Atlanta proofs are exceedingly rare. We have offered only one intact set of all 28 color combinations since keeping computerized records 30 years ago. This group, containing 19 proofs and 60% of all the possible color combinations is highly desirable.
Officials, Proofs Balance. Including Agriculture O1P1-O9P1 large die proofs, die sunk on 120 x 210mm cards which have overall toning, also O1P2-O9P2 small die proofs removed from card backing, some thins and 15c clipped corners, Interior O15P2-O24P2 on original gray cards from Roosevelt album, 90c with toning, Justice O25P1-O34P1 hybrid large die proofs on approximately 70 x 92mm cards, O25P2-O34P2 small die proofs off card, Navy with three small die proofs on card backing, State 1c-90c plate proofs on card, also a few other miscellaneous items, apart from the faults noted an overall Fine group, Scott value exceeds $4,500
2c-$60.00 1875 Newspapers & Periodicals, Large Die Proofs on India (PR9P1-PR32P1). Complete set of 24 values plus an extra $6.00, die sunk on approximately 137 x 167mm cards, bright colors on fresh cards, Very Fine and scarce complete set all showing full die sinkage
2c-$60.00 1875 Newspapers & Periodicals Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (PR9TC4-PR32TC4). Complete set of 120 proofs in all five issued colors, full to ample margins with just a very few sides close or touched, characteristic bright colors, one 8c with a small margin toned spot
VERY FINE. 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-$100.00 1895 Newspapers & Periodicals, Small Die Proofs on Wove (PR102P2-PR113P2). Intact page from a Roosevelt presentation album with "1894" label at center, a few proofs in bottom row with some toned spots, border of page with some minor creases, still Very Fine and scarce on the complete page, Scott value for the individual proofs without premium for the page
Newspapers & Periodicals, Proofs Collection. Full range of issues on album pages, more than 120 mostly card or India plate proofs, including large format with some trial color proofs, bright colors and overall nice condition, Very Fine
(1c) Franklin, 1c Eagle, Carriers, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (LO1TC4-LO2TC4). Complete sets of all five colors for both, full margins to clear, rich colors, Fine-Very Fine
Government Carrier Issue, Essays and Proofs (LO1P, LO2P). Nice group of more than 20 items on album pages and a stock card, including LO1P1-LO2P1 hybrid large die proofs, LO1-E4 1952 Brazer reprint, two different LO1P2 small die proofs on card backing from Roosevelt album, nine Schernikow reprints showing both issues and range of design states and colors, also a number of plate proofs and trial color proofs including LO1P4 cracked plate, a couple small flaws may be encountered but overall Very Fine, Scott value approaches or exceeds $5,000
Eclectic Essays & Proofs Balance. Box of material representing the random pieces and non-stamp issue essay-proof material from the Dr. Sollenberger collection, does include some stamp and Revenue essays or proofs and also a range of bank note company stock proofs and engravings, plus some truly random material that fits into the essay-proof category such as Cuba and Columbia Revenue Specimens, also complete USPS souvenir box for Transcontinental Railroad issue as well as limited edition Mayflower kit, overall an interesting balance worth review
Back-of-Book Card Proof Envelopes. Group of 12 envelopes, including eight of the 92 x 58mm small size for all Officials departments except Agriculture, large size envelopes for War (two) and Treasury, all these labeled "1873", finally Newspapers & Periodicals "1874", some have small edge flaws and small size Executive clipped corner, an unusual group, these envelopes were used to distribute card proofs and were generally not saved