Sale 1221 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 27-28 May, 2020
Category — Essays and Proofs, 1869 thru Later Issues
[No Value] George T. Jones Grant Essay on India (112-E1b). Black with light violet overprint, full margins all around, fresh and Very Fine example of this rare essay, ex Finkelburg
[No Value] George T. Jones Grant Essay on India (112-E1b). Black with light gray overprint (possibly faded violet, but if gray then unlisted color combination), intense shade, faint corner crease only visible when drying, Very Fine appearance, Scott Retail as listed color
National Bank Note Co., 10c Lincoln, Large Die Essays on India, Proof Paper (116-E1c, 116-E1d). Comprehensive group of 17 large die essays on India and proof paper, mounted on album pages, sizes range from 65 x 71mm to slightly smaller with many showing imprints (the proofs on India do not show any die sinkage), only two cut down to smaller 26 x 26mm sizes, wide range of colors, a few typical flaws to be expected but overall fresh and colorfulVERY FINE GROUP OF 1869 10-CENT LINCOLN LARGE DIE ESSAYS. ALMOST NEVER SEEN IN THIS DEPTH.
A few may have their paper misidentified but that is inconsequential. Scott Retail values are only $100.00 different between India and proof paper
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National Bank Note Co., 10c Dim Rose, Declaration of Independence, Large Die Essay on India (116-E2a). On 80 x 57mm card, small corner thins from prior mounting far from the designVERY FINE. A RARE 10-CENT 1869 ESSAY WITH THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE VIGNETTE ENGRAVED BY JAMES SMILLIE, WHICH WAS ULTIMATELY USED FOR THE 24-CENT DENOMINATION.
This vignette is a miniature engraving by James Smillie, based on a painting by Trumbull which hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Contrary to popular belief, the scene depicted by Trumbull is not the signing ceremony, but the presentation of the draft. It has been written that the 30c stamp was changed from the Surrender of Burgoyne to the Eagle, Shield and Flags design to avoid offending the British. If true, it seems odd that officials would choose to use the Declaration of Independence "1776" design for the 24c stamp, which was far more likely to adorn mail to England (the basic rate was 12c).
National Bank Note Co., 10c Lincoln, Die Essay on Ivory Paper (116-E1e). Complete set of all four colors, from 63 x 68mm to 55 x 65mm, each with imprint at bottom, one corner each on Black and Blue with small thin spot from mount removal (as nearly always found on the ivory paper essays), Very Fine, a lovely complete set
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National Bank Note Co., 10c Orange Yellow, Declaration of Independence, Large Die Essay on India (116-E2a). 50 x 42mm, off card, vibrant color, couple typical small India paper translucencies or thins, still Very Fine, a rare and desirable essay, Scott Retail as die sunk on card
National Bank Note Co., 30c Black, Burgoyne Plate Essay on Thin Surface-Tinted Paper (121-E1p). Two items, bottom margin block of four on pale gray paper, also bottom imprint margin pair on pale pink paper, Very Fine and choice, fresh and desirable examples of the Burgoyne essay, Scott Retail as singles
24c Green & Violet, Hybrid Large Die Proof on India (120P1). Stamp size, mounted on India and block sunk on 154 x 227mm card, vignette shifted slightly to left, from a salesman's sample book, Very Fine, the 24c large die proof only exists as a hybrid, ex Price, with 1988 P.F. certificate
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Small Die Proofs on Wove (112P2-122P2). Complete set including both 15c types, on original gray card backing, rich colorsVERY FINE SET OF 1869 PICTORIAL SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
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1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Plate Proofs on India (112P3-122P3, 129P3). Blocks of four, including both 15c, the 2c, 3c, both 15c, 24c and 30c with sheet margin, one 90c small natural thin as often seen on this fragile paperVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A DESIRABLE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA PAPER.
This is a scarce set of blocks on India paper
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1c-90c 1869 Pictorial, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 119P3, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of 11, 15c Type II is an India proof with large top right corner margins, 15c Type III and all others are card proofs, large margins throughout, bright colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine set
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15c 1869 Pictorial, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (129TC4). Complete set of 12, brilliant colors, large margins throughoutVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 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
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24c 1869 Pictorial, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (130TC4). Complete set of 12, brilliant colors, large margins throughoutVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 24-CENT SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 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 24c vignette is based on John Trumbull’s oil painting Declaration of Independence.
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7c Vermilion, Plate Proof on India (149P3). Top imprint and plate no. 33 block of 12, on original card backing and so free of the flaws normally encountered with India paper, large margins all around, brilliant color, Extremely Fine plate block, wonderful quality
7c Orange Vermilion, Plate Proof on India (160P3). Top left imprint, plate no. 22 and half arrow block of 14, fresh and bright, outstanding condition with none of the small flaws that typically afflict these India paper proofs, Extremely Fine
7c Orange Vermilion, Plate Proof on Card (160P4). Top imprint, plate no. 22 and half arrow block of 14, brilliant color, large even margins on other sides, top left stamp tiny mark, fresh and Very Fine, a rare plate block, unpriced in Scott as a plate block on card, Scott Retail on India is $1,150.00 but this is far rarer, Power Search lists approximately a half-dozen plate blocks on India and none on card apart from this example, this comes from the Lilly sheet that was broken up
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219P4-229P4). Large margins throughout except for 8c with two margins touching, fresh colors, Very Fine set
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1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set on original card backing, deep rich colorsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY FRESH AND CHOICE COMPLETE SET OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
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1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set on original card backing, deep rich colorsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY PRISTINE COMPLETE SET OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
It is believed that only 85 Roosevelt albums were produced.
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1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (230P3-245P3). Complete set less the 30c value, huge margins to full on a few sides and one corner of the 10c close, brilliant colors, a few minor India paper translucencies as normal, 10c with tiny margin stain, fresh and Very Fine, the 30c could be inexpensively obtained to complete this set
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1c Dark Blue, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (246TC1af). On 71 x 72mm card with full die sinkage, American die imprint at bottom, rich color, India with light crease at bottom left, still Very Fine, scarce, ex Brazer and "Whitpain", listed but unpriced in Scott, which prices others of the set at between $1,000.00 and $1,500.00
50c Orange, Large Die Proof on India (260P1). On 155 x 200mm card with full die sinkage, India slightly smaller than die sinkage area, brilliant color, Very Fine, this was mounted in the consignor's collection as an unlisted progressive die proof (or essay) of the incomplete design, we have examined it and cannot see any missing design elements so offered as a die proof, worth further study
$2.00 Dark Blue, Large Die Proof on India (262P1). Die sunk on 55 x 60mm card, fresh and Extremely Fine
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285-E8a to 293-E7a). On approximately 200 x 150mm cards with full die sinkage, 4c hybrid with trace of oxidation, deep rich colors on fresh white cardsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI BI-COLOR LARGE DIE ESSAYS.
Of the 166 sets printed in these colors, many were hybrids.
$2.00 Dark Blue, Large Die Proof on India (312P1). On 92 x 105mm card with full die sinkage, intense shade, tiny inconsequential toned speck near top, Very Fine and extremely rare large die proof of the 1902 Issue, only four of the $2.00 are believed to exist, ex Brody