Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — Essays and Proofs (1847 thru 1869 Pictorials)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
501
TC
5c, 10c Blue, 1875 Reproduction, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs (3TC-4TC). Ample to large margins, 5c tiny scuff, Very Fine appearance, 10c Very Fine
600
225
502
P
30c Orange, Plate Proof on India (46P3). Left imprint and plate no. "1P" block of twelve, large margins, top stamps with small translucencies, bottom right stamp small thin spot, Very Fine appearance, a scarce plate block, ex DuPuy, Scott Retail as plate block of eight and four singles
1,810
1,500
Back to Top503
P
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Plate Proofs on Card (40P4-47P4). Large to full margins, brilliant colors, fresh and Very Fine set
580
450
Back to Top504
P
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on India (63P3/77P3). Complete set of blocks of four, 3c represented by both 65P3 and the Lake shade 66TC3, 24c with part imprint at left, beautiful bright colors, 30c some slight oxidation, few minor translucencies as usual for this fragile paper, Very Fine set
4,350
1,400
Back to Top505
P
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/77P4). Complete for all Scott-listed items including the scarcer 24c Red Lilac, brilliant colors, large margins, Very Fine and choice
2,025
850
Back to Top506
P
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/77P4). Complete for all Scott-listed items less the scarcer 24c Red Lilac, large margins, fresh colors, Very Fine
1,525
450
Back to Top507
TC
24c Violet, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (70TC1a). On 102 x 144mm card with full die sinkage, spectacular color, some slight thinning of card well outside die sinkage area from mount removal, Very Fine
2,500
375
Back to Top508
P
American Bank Note Company, Abraham Lincoln Large Die Proof on India. Engraved portrait on 104 x 128mm card with full die sinkage, American Bank Note Co. imprint and "141" die no., Very Fine and rare, the iconic photo of Lincoln taken by C.S. German on Jan. 13, 1861 in Springfield Ill. was used as the basis for engravings on a number of banknotes and stock certificates of the period as well as the 15c 1866 Issue, regarded by some as America's first commemorative stamp
E. 300-400
400
Back to Top509
P
15c Black, Plate Proof on India (77P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 41 block of twelve, deep shade, ample to large margins other sides, couple typical India paper translucencies and small closed tear at top of pos. 6, Very Fine appearance, scarce plate block
3,000
1,300
Back to Top510
TC
3c Pale Blue, Trial Color Plate Proof on Stamp Paper (65TC5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 19 block of twelve, ample margins other sides, lovely bright color, Very Fine and scarce, this is the first we have offered since our 2005 Lake Shore sale, unlisted in Scott
E. 1,000-1,500
4,250
Back to Top511
TC
3c Rose, Plate Proof on Experimental Greenish Wove, Francis Patent (65TC5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 35 block of twelve, fresh color on deep greenish wove paper, ample margins all around, light diagonal crease at lower left, still Very Fine and rare, a Power Search review failed to find another plate block, unlisted in Scott
E. 1,500-2,000
2,400
Back to Top512
TC
3c Brown Red, Trial Color Plate Proof on Stamp Paper (65TC5). Block of four, original gum, h.r., deep rich color, Very Fine, unlisted in Scott
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top513
TC
3c Brown on White, Sensitive Ink Trial Color Plate Proof, Perforated (65TC6). Block of four, brownish original gum, rich color on characteristic white paper, Very Fine, it is theorized that these come from sheets printed from plates of 12 subjects, under magnification clear layout lines can be seen, with 2004 P.F. certificate identifying the block as Brazer No. 65TC-C
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top514
3c Lake, Imperforate (66a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 52 block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, large margins other sides, deep rich color in this distinctive shadeEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1861 IMPERFORATE 3-CENT LAKE.
A Power Search review failed to find another plate block of the 3c Lake Imperforate -- the closest item we found was a bottom imprint and plate no. 52 strip of four, ex Ambassador (Siegel Sale 300) and offered in our 2000 Rarities sale.
With 1975 P.F. certificate. Durland Catalogue value $11,000.00. Unpriced as a plate block in Scott, which prices four pairs of No. 66TC6a at $7,400.00
E. 7,500-10,000
7,500
Back to Top515
TC
3c Scarlet, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (74TC3). Block of four, vibrant color, large margins showing layout lines near bottom, Very Fine and choice
500
225
Back to Top516
E
3c Lake, All-Over Grill Essay, Points Up, Imperforate (79-E15c; formerly 66aP4). Block of four, original gum, barely hinged, large margins, exceptional depth of color, Extremely Fine, a lovely and scarce block, with 1969 P.F. certificate incorrectly describing it as 79a (Rose), Scott Retail as singles
2,000
800
Back to Top517
P
5c-90c 1861 Issue, Lowenberg Decalcomania, Plate Proofs (67P, 68P, 71P, 72P). Group of plate proofs printed on onion skin or "Goldbeater's" paper, incl. blocks of four of 5c, 10c, 30c and 90c, also singles of 5c and 90c, all but one side of 30c large margins, clear impressions, normal wrinkling and 90c block with some minor toned spots, Very Fine and fascinating group
E. 750-1,000
650
Back to Top518
E
1c Small Numeral, Plate Essay on Stamp Paper, Perforated 12, Grilled (112-E4d). Nine blocks of four, each a different color including Yellow, Orange, Green, Chocolate, Violet, Blue, Orange Brown, Rose Red and Black Brown, original gum, some h.r., overall fresh and Fine-Very Fine, attractive group of multiples, Scott Retail as singles
3,660
1,200
Back to Top519
P
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Hybrid Large Die Proofs on India, Presentation Album (112P1var-122P1var). Stamp size and mounted on approximately 180 x 225mm cards with drawn in die sinkage area, bound into black leather gold-stamped presentation album, titled on front "PROOFS. United States Postage Stamps, Series of 1869, Engraved by the National Bank Note Company, New York.", binding is a bit loose and leather is worn on edges -- nearly always the case for presentation albums of this eraVERY FINE AND RARE PRESENTATION ALBUM OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS.
Security printers' presentation albums were specially made for a variety of people, often potential customers or dignitaries. Most have been broken apart over the years for the value of the individual proofs. Intact albums are very rare. A similar album realized $7,500 in our recent Sale 1040
E. 3,000-4,000
3,250
Back to Top520
P
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Plate Proofs on India (112P3-122P3). Complete set of all ten values in blocks of four, 15c Ty. II, 24c the Reddish Lilac shade (newly listed as No. 120TC3), brilliant colors throughout, ample to large margins, Very Fine and desirable set of blocks of four
3,860
2,200
Back to Top521
P
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of all values, 15c Ty. III, fresh colors, ample to large margins throughout, Very Fine
1,015
750
Back to Top522
P
2c Brown, 6c Ultramarine, Plate Proofs on India (113P3, 115P3). 2c block of ten with top part imprint and plate no., 6c top imprint and plate no. block of twelve, both with flaws due to fragile nature of the paper, 6c with top left corner missing (could be removed leaving a complete plate block of ten), Fine appearance
E. 200-300
650
Back to Top523
P
10c Yellow, Plate Proof on India (116P3). Top left corner margin block of 50 with imprint and plate no. 16, part arrow at top right and bottom left, affixed to card backing and so almost free from the flaws that can affect this fragile paper, rich color, Very Fine, a scarce large multiple, the 10c was issued in two panes of 150, Scott Retail as plate block, blocks of four and singles
3,870
3,500
Back to Top