Sale 975 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 23-25 June, 2009
Category — Essays, Proofs and Specimens
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1001
TC
5c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on Bond (1TC). 41 x 41mm with cross-hatching in die area, crisp impression, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
800
700
1002
TC
5c 1856 Issue, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Wove (12TC5). Four, incl. Rose Brown, Pale Brown, Olive Green and Deep Orange, large margins to clear, rich colors, few tiny imperfections including one slightly oxidized, one with small thin, Very Fine appearance, three with 2005 P.S.E. certificates
1,200
400
Back to Top1003
P
10c Green, Ty. I., Large Die Proof on India (13P1). Off card, cut down to stamp size and gummed, tight margins but clear all around, Fine, possibly produced in this form as a hybrid, nevertheless a rare die proof
5,000
425
Back to Top1004
TC
30c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on India (38TC3). Margins to just touched, bright shade, Fine
1,400
375
Back to Top1005
TC
3c 1851 Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Proofs (41TC). Complete set in all five issued colors, margins just clear to full, bright colors, Very Fine and attractive set of this popular issue, prepared for the 1881 Atlanta Cotton Exhibition
520
500
Back to Top1006
P
90c Deep Blue, Reprint, Plate Proof on India (47P3). Block of twelve with full imprint at left, large margins other sides, deep rich color, few flaws often found on this fragile paper including small thins, small nick in margin at left and tiny hole above position 8VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLE BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 90-CENT 1857 REPRINT WITH FULL IMPRINT AT LEFT.
With 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and four singles, with no premium for the imprint.
1,540
900
Back to Top1007
E
5c Black, Toppan, Carpenter & Co. Die I Essay on Old Proof Paper (67-E2var). Approx. 50 x 52mm, the Die I essays show incomplete shading in the background of the vignette, Scott lists the 1903 Die II Schernikow essays but not this 1861 essay, Brazer catalog no. 57E-Ah, Extremely Fine and scarce
E. 750-1,000
550
Back to Top1008
S
10c Dark Green, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. B (68S). Block of four, original gum, hinge reinforcement, centered right, Fine, blocks of four are surprisingly difficult to find, Scott Retail as four singles
480
550
Back to Top1009
P
10c Green, Plate Proof on India (68P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 26 block of twelve, h.r., large margins, deep rich color, unwiped plate or excess ink causes mottled appearance, Very Fine, scarce, Scott Retail as plate block of six and four singles
1,210
1,400
Back to Top1010
E
Toppan, Carpenter & Co., 12c Black, Die Essay on India, Cut to Shape (69-E4b). Cut to shape as usual, intense shade and impression, small tear at bottom, Very Fine appearance, with 2009 P.F. certificate
500
120
Back to Top1011
P
2c Black, Die II, Small Die Proof on Wove (73aP2). Expertly removed from gray card backing, large margins, Very Fine, only 85 were produced
1,350
450
Back to Top1012
E
2c Small Numeral, Plate Essay on Stamp Paper, Perforated 12, Grilled (113-E3e). Block of four in Brown Rose, original gum, bottom stamps Mint N.H., pretty color, Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
320
400
Back to Top1013
E
2c Small Numeral, Plate Essay on Stamp Paper, Perforated 12, Grilled (113-E3e). Block of four in Dark Violet, original gum, lightly hinged, light corner crease at top left, appears Fine, Scott Retail as singles
320
250
Back to Top1014
E
3c Cholcolate, Small Numeral Die Essay on India (114-E5). Unlisted color, 35 x 35mm, card backing included but detached, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, this essay is similar to the more common No. 114-E4, but includes vertical shading in the POSTAGE frame
1,750
850
Back to Top1015
E
3c Ultramarine, Plate Essay, Cancelled (114-E7b). On thick paper, neat strike of "National Bank Note Co. N.Y. SEP 27, 1869" cds, small scuff and thin spot at top, appears Very Fine
1,100
350
Back to Top1016
P
3c Ultramarine, Large Die Proof on India (114P1). Die sunk on 127 x 191mm card, showing full die sinkage, imprint at bottom, deep shade, fresh and Very Fine
900
600
Back to Top1017
P
3c Ultramarine, Large Die Proof on India (114P1). 41 x 44mm, imprint at bottom, brilliant color, Very Fine
900
325
Back to Top1018
P
3c Ultramarine, Small Die Proof on India (114P2). On original gray card backing which has been thinned, India paper sound, Very Fine
575
225
Back to Top1019
P
3c Ultramarine, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (114P2a). 23 x 23.5mm, deep rich color, paper a bit toned as normally found on these, small faults incl. thins and small tear at top, still appears Very Fine, rare, perhaps 3-5 are known, with 1978 P.F. certificate
2,000
650
Back to Top1020
TC
3c Scarlet, Atlanta Trial Color Proof (125TC). Showing clear doubling of design at top, large margins to in at bottom as is the only other example we have seen of this variety, radiant color, Very Fine, this is the only variety we have encountered among the Atlanta Trial Color Proofs, it is unusual to find printing varieties as greater care was (supposedly) taken when striking proofs and essays
150
325
Back to Top1021
P
3c 1869 Pictorial Essays and Proofs. 32 items, incl. complete set of Atlanta Trial Colors, also 114-E4b, 116-E6b (5), 114-E6c (2), 114-E6d (11), range of colors, also some plate proofs, hybrid large-die proof, 114 forgery, mostly Fine-Very Fine
E. 300-400
1,500
Back to Top1022
P
(no denomination) Adriatic, Large Die Proof on India. On 226 x 149mm card with full die sinkage, die no. "V 49306" and National Bank Note Co. imprint at bottom right, card with small toned spot at right, otherwise Very Fine, this design was used for several stamps incl. the 12c 1869 Pictorial
E. 200-300
450
Back to Top1023
P
7c-90c 1873-88 Issues, Small Die Proofs (160P2, 162P2-163P2, 209P2, 218P2). Removed from Roosevelt Album gray cards, most with small faults, also includes No. 40 with trimmed perfs to appear as No. 40Pa, each with a P.F. certificate
1,540
300
Back to Top1024
E
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Bi-Color Essays (285-E8-293-E7). Die sunk on 200mm x 150mm cards, $2.00 some light staining, mostly on card, $1.00 also very slightly affected, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine
3,125
1,300
Back to Top1025
E
2c Dark Red & Black, Large Die Essay on India (286-E8). On 156 x 102mm card with full die sinkage, detailed impressions, Very Fine and choice
300
425
Back to Top1026
E
2c Dark Red & Black, Large Die Essay on India (286-E8). 43 x 33mm, detailed impressions, India paper couple minor wrinkles as usual, Very Fine
300
325
Back to Top1027
E
$2.00 Dark Orange Red & Black, Large Die Essay on India (293-E7). On 193 x 146mm card with full die sinkage, rich colors, couple water stains on card affects top left of India paper, Very Fine appearance
450
250
Back to Top1028
P
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Proofs on India (285P1-293P1). Die sunk on approximately 162 x 124mm cards with full die sinkage, bright colorsVERY FINE. A SCARCE SOUND COMPLETE SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
We have offered surprisingly few complete sets over the years -- only three since February 2005.
6,050
4,500
Back to Top1029
S
1c, 2c Trans-Mississippi, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. E (285S-E, 286S-E). Clear strikes of "Specimen" overprint, unused (no gum), some faults, appear Fine
500
110
Back to Top1030
S
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Specimen Ovpt. Ty. E (293SE). Original gum, h.r., rich color and nicely centered, Very Fine
750
375
Back to Top1031
P
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Proof on India (293P1). 72 x 59mm, deep rich color, fresh and Very Fine
750
325
Back to Top1032
P
2c Pan-American, Large Die Proof on India (295P1). Die sunk on 200 x 153mm card, brilliant colors, with blue control no. on back, few minor toning spots mostly confined to back, light bend at bottom center, otherwise Very Fine
575
170
Back to Top1033
S
1c-$5.00 1902 Issue, Specimen Ovpt. Ty. E (300SE-313SE). Five values to 13c with original gum, others no gum, $2.00 reperfed at right, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
2,500
750
Back to Top1034
P
-1/2c Olive Brown, Large Die Proof on India (551P1). Die sunk on full card, Extremely Fine
1,500
800
Back to Top1035
P
3c Alaska, Mt. McKinley, Photographic Essay (800-E; Unlisted) 62 x 45mm, Very Fine
E. 200-300
190
Back to Top1036
P
3c Transcontinental Railroad, Large Die Proof on India (922P1) Mounted on 117 x 102mm card with full die sinkage, control no. on back, bit of extraneous glue at bottom left of India paper, Very Fine appearance
800
400
Back to Top1037
P
3c Transcontinental Railroad, Small Die Proof on India (922P2) 43 x 28mm, deep rich color, tiny nick top left margin well clear of the design, Very Fine
600
450
Back to Top1038
P
3c Transcontinental Railroad, Die Essay on Glazed Card (922-E; Unlisted in Scott) 98 x 79 mm, razor sharp impression, control no. on back, the design appears to be nearly complete, missing area of dots above figure kneeling next to track to left of train, Very Fine, unlisted in Scott
E. 300-400
500
Back to Top1039
P
3c American Bankers Association Issue, Large Die Proof on India (987P1; Unlisted) Mounted on 202 x 152mm card with full die sinkage, with blue control no., engraver's stock proof handstamp and authorization initials on back, minor corner bend, Very Fine and choice, extremely rare, unlisted in Scott and missing from the Livingston collection
E. 1,000-1,500
850
Back to Top1040
P
3c Brown-Violet, United States-Canada Friendship Issue, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (987P1; Unlisted) Mounted on 202 x 156mm card with full die sinkage, with blue control no. and engraver's stock proof handstamp on back, minor corner bend, Very Fine and choice, extremely rare, unlisted in Scott and missing from the Livingston collection
E. 1,000-1,500
850
Back to Top1041
P
3c B&O Railroad Issue, Large Die Proof on India (1006P1) Mounted on 202 x 152mm card with full die sinkage, three-hole punched, with blue control no., engraver's stock proof handstamp and authorization initials on back, Very Fine and choice, extremely rare, missing from the Livingston collection
1,750
1,100
Back to Top1042
P
5c Parcel Post, Large Die Proofs on India (Q5P1). Two, first is mounted on 202 x 158mm card with full die sinkage, light corner bend and small crease at top well outside of die sinkage, second is mounted on 202 x 152mm card with full die sinkage, stamp design outside of central train vignette has been cut out, overall light soiling, both proofs with blue control no. on backs, Very Fine appearing pair
2,800
1,300
Back to Top1043
Edward H. Mason Essay and Proof Research. Three leather-bound notebooks containing hundreds of pages of research notes, both handwritten and typewritten by Edward H. Mason, the first philatelist to extensively study the field of essays and proofs, Mason published three books on Essays and Proofs from 1911-1912 and his notes appear to cover the time both prior to and after publication of his books, pages include cutout pictures from old foreign catalogs as well as photographs, presumably from Mason's collection, leather bindings are generally in poor shape but nearly all pages are intact and sound, a fascinating group of research from the early pioneer in this area, much of Mason's research provided the basis for the early listings of Essays and Proofs in the Scott catalog, also includes his 1911 book Proofs and Essays for U.S. Envelopes
E. 400-500
700
Back to Top1044
P
Proof Balance Five items, including $2.00 Green & Brown, State, Atlanta Trial Color Proof No. O71TC, American Letter Mail Co. 1895 Reprint Large Die Proof on India (No. 5L1P1R, die sunk, 47 x 67mm), No. 212P3, No. 41P4, thinned and perforated to appear as No. 25, No. 65 perforated proof, few small faults including thins in the State Atlanta Proof, with P.F. certificates for Nos. 5L1P1R and 212P3
E. 500-750
325
Back to Top