Sale 1118 — The Don David Price Iconic Collection of U.S. Bicolored Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday, 15 March, 2016
Category — 1873 State Department Post Office Announcement, Essays and Proofs
"Official Postage Stamps and Stamped Envelopes." Post Office Department Circular. First page of the two-page circular dated May 15, 1873, and sent to postmasters announcing the abolition of the franking privilege, "on the first day of July, 1873, the Postmaster General is required by law to provide postage stamps or stamped envelopes of special design for each of the several Executive Departments of Government, for the pre-payment of postages on official matter passing through the mails", affixed to thin card, some scotch tape repair along fold at bottom, otherwise Fine, a nice frontispiece for an Officials collection
$2.00-$20.00 Black, State, Composite Die Proof of $2.00 Frame and Three Other Value Tablets on India (O68-E2). 54 x 66mm, comprising completed frame for $2.00 with value tablets at sides for $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00, few small flaws at top as often found on this fragile paperVERY FINE. A REMARKABLE COMPOSITE DIE PROOF OF THE $2.00 FRAME AND THREE OTHER VALUE TABLETS FOR THE DOLLAR-VALUE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS PROOF IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Due to the limited printing quantity for each of the dollar-value stamps, it was apparently deemed unnecessary to make a complete frame die for each value. After the $2.00 value label frame had been entered on the plate, the $2.00 label was burnished out by hand and the appropriate dollar-value label was re-entered.
Four examples of this essay are recorded, including one in the National Postal Museum and one at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. This is one of only two available to collectors.
Ex Markovits. With 2010 P.F. certificate
$2.00-$20.00 State, Large Die Proofs (O68P1-O71P1). Hybrid as always, on 74 x 90mm cards with full die sinkage, fresh and Very Fine
$2.00-$20.00 State, Small Die Proofs (O68P2-O71P2). On original gray card backing, rich colors, crisp impressions, Very Fine and choice set, from a Roosevelt album, approximately 85 sets were produced, also including set of O68P4-O71P4
$2.00-$20.00 State, Plate Proofs on India (O68P3-O71P3). Complete set of sheets of ten, wonderfully fresh, trivial small India paper thins in selvageEXTREMELY FINE. BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF ONLY FOUR SURVIVING SETS OF COMPLETE SHEETS. A MAGNIFICENT UNIT FOR EXHIBITION.
The Scott U.S. Specialized prices only the sheets on card at $16,000.00 for the set