Sale 1359 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 22-24 July, 2025
Category — Essays and Proofs: 1847 thru 1869 Pictorial Issues
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Large Die Proofs on White Bond (1P1a, 2P1a). 5c 40 x 55mm, 10c 40 x 44mm, deep rich colors, showing cross-hatching, fresh and Very Fine, ex "Dragon"
5c Red Brown, Large Die Proof on Yellowish Wove (1P1e). 33 x 41mm, rich color on crisp yellowish paper, showing cross-hatching, Very Fine, especially attractive and scarce on this yellowish paper, with 2024 P.F. certificate
10c Black, Large Die Proof on Colored Bond (2P1b). 38 x 42mm on yellow bond with printed "B" on back, intense shade on brilliant paper, showing cross-hatching, Very Fine
10c Black, Large Die Proof on White Laid (2P1c). 34 x 40mm with prominent laid lines, showing cross-hatching, intense shade, Very Fine
5c, 10c Violet, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on India (1TC1ae, 2TC1ae). 5c 43 x 53mm, 10c 36 x 43mm, brilliant colors, showing cross-hatching, Very Fine, 5c with 2011 P.F. certificate
5c Dark Green, 5c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on India (1TC1ai, 1TC1ao). Both 43 x 53mm, intense colors, showing cross-hatching, Very Fine
5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Plate Proofs on India (1P3-2P3). Clear margins to just in, detailed impressions, Fine
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Small Die Proofs on Wove (40P2-47P2). Each on original gray card backing from a Roosevelt album, fresh and Very Fine set, only approximately 85 were produced
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Plate Proofs on India and Card (40P3-47P3, 40P4-47P4). Complete sets on India and card, gorgeous colors and large to ample margins, 3c India faint soiling in one corner, Very Fine sets
1c-90c 1857 Reprints, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (40TC4-47TC4). Complete sets in Blue and Scarlet, large margins to ample, rich colors, Very Fine sets, only one sheet of 50 of each was printed
5c Orange Brown, Plate Proof on India (42P3). Right imprint and plate No. 2 block of eight, rich color on vivid white paper, Very Fine, a rare plate number block and the finer of the two located with Power Search, ex Hackett and Burroughs
1c-90c 1861 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (63P2/78P2). Eight proofs from a Roosevelt presentation album, the eight 1861 emissions so not including Nos. 73P2 and 77P2, on original gray cards, rich colors, Very Fine, only approximately 85 were produced
ADDENDA: THIS INCLUDES ONLY THE 1861 EMISSIONS. DOES NOT INCLUDE 73P2 OR 77P2. SCOTT VALUE $1,775
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on India (63P3/78P3). Complete set of the ten denominations, 12 proofs total including all three 3c colors (Rose, Lake and Scarlet), large margins nearly throughout, only the 24c a bit closer on one side but still full, vivid colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine set
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/78P4). Complete set of ten denominations, 12 proofs total including the 3c Scarlet and the better 24c Red Lilac, large to full margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
15c Black, Large Die Proof on India (77P1). Die sunk on 73 x 86mm card with full die sinkage, imprint at bottom, Very Fine
1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (102TC4-111TC4). Complete set of 50 in all five colors, all with ample to large margins, brilliant colors
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS OF THE 1861-66 ISSUE DESIGNS.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet 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 of an issue as offered here.
12c Gray Black, Small Numeral, Completed Die, Large Die Essay on India (117-E2c, formerly 117-E1c). 26 x 28mm, few small thin spots, Very Fine appearance
12c Blue, Small Numeral, Completed Die, Large Die Essay on India (117-E2c, formerly 117-E1c). Stamp size, small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
12c Dark Red Brown, Small Numeral, Completed Die, Large Die Essay on India (117-E2c, formerly 117-E1c). Slightly larger than stamp size, deep rich color, Very Fine
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (112P2-122P2). Complete set including both 15c types, on original gray card backing, rich colors, only the 6c with very slight color fading
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 albums were produced. Each except 1c with 2018 P.S.E. certificate with several grading between XF-Superb 95 and Superb 98, plus the 30c at Gem 100 (we have no idea how these grade differently). Proofs unpriced in SMQ.
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (112P2-122P2). Complete set including both 15c types, on original gray card backing, each with large margins for the gray cards, deep rich colors
FRESH AND VERY FINE SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only approximately 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on India (112P3-122P3, 129P3). Complete set including both 15c types, brilliant colors, large margins, Extremely Fine set
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of ten values, 15c Ty. III as always, large margins and rich colors, Extremely Fine
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of ten values, 15c Ty. III as always, fresh colors, full to large margins throughout, Very Fine
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of ten values, 15c Ty. III as always, full to large margins, brilliant colors, Very Fine
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (123TC4-132TC4). Complete set (less the one recently listed unique 90c color combination), large margins, deep rich colors
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOFS.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet 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.
3c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (114P2a). Large margins, rich color, usual overall toning, Very Fine and rare, perhaps 3-5 were produced
15c Red Brown, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (118TC1g). On 212 x 143mm card with full die sinkage, imprint at bottom, rich color, few small toned spots, still Very Fine, rare, this is the only example in any color that we have offered on such a large card, ex Finkelburg and "Lake Shore"
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (119P2a). Deep rich color, faint band of toning at top, tiny thin speck and small internal tear, appears Very Fine, ex Finkelburg and "Lake Shore", with 2006 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Plate Proof on India (119P3). Bottom left corner imprint and plate no. 23 block of ten, huge margins other sides, beautiful deep rich colors
EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOF.
The Chapin census records two complete plate blocks for the issued stamp (Scott 119), in blocks of 20. Both display the blue imprint and plate number. None are known displaying the complete brown imprint and plate number (two show partial). None are known for Type I (Scott 118) or Type III (Scott 129). This is an excellent alternative to a plate block of the issued stamp.
Ex Kuphal (European's Large Gold Collection). Scott value as plate block of eight and two singles.
15c Reissue, Ty. III, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (129P2a). Large margins, usual slight overall toning which is normal for this issue, Very Fine, it is believed 3-5 were produced though we are aware of slightly larger quantities for certain issues, with 1989 P.F. certificate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. III, Center Inverted, Plate Proof on Card (129aP4). Large margins, few surface scrapes, otherwise Very Fine, ex Kuphal (European's Large Gold Collection)
15c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs on Card (129TC4). Complete set of 12 colors, ample to large margins except one just in at top
FRESH AND VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 15-CENT LANDING OF COLUMBUS 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet of 100 of each value/color was printed. The design of the 15c value is based on the painting Landing of Columbus by John Vanderlyn, which hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Ex Kuphal (European's Large Gold Collection).
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Plate Proof on Bond (121P3 var). Large margins and deep colors on heavy bond paper, Very Fine, a very unusual proof, no reference is made to this in any literature that we have seen, ex Finkelburg and Price, with 1999 P.F. certificate