Sale 1044 — United States Essays, Proofs and Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 May, 2013
Category — Essays and Proofs (1869 Issue thru 20th Century)
(Unstated Value) Black, Vignette Die Essay on White Glazed (79-E35e). 41 x 43mm, deep shade, small thin spots, appears Very Fine, these were created in 1868 during experiments for bicolored printing
(Unstated Value) Scarlet, Vignette Die Essay on White Glazed (79-E35e). 36 x 41mm, rich color, small thin spots, appears Very Fine, these were created in 1868 during experiments for bicolored printing
1c Buff, Large Die Proof on India (112P1). Die sunk on 139 x 164mm card with full die sinkage, Very Fine
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (112P2-122P2, 129P2). Complete set, each on original gray card backing, rich colors, Very Fine and choice set, only approximately 85 sets were produced, ex Laehder
1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-122P4). Lacking only the 24c to be complete, incl. four 1c, three each of 2c and 90c, two each of 6c, 10c, 12c and 30c, large margins, rich colors, some shade differences especially noticeable in 1c, 6c, 30c and 90c, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a worthwhile group
3c Small Numeral, Plate Essays on Stamp Paper, Perforated 12, Ungrilled and Grilled (114-E6c, 114-E6d). Single example of the scarce without grill essay in Ultramarine, original gum, h.r., wide margins, Very Fine, eight singles of the grilled in different colors, overall fresh and Fine-Very Fine
3c Ultramarine, Plate Essay, Cancelled (114-E7b). Horizontal pair, large margins, neat strikes of "National Bank Note Co. N.Y. Sep. 27, 1869" circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, this is the first multiple we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as singles
3c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (114TC1e). On 35 x 35mm card, detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, scarce, with 1976 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine, Plate Proof on India (114P3). Top left corner margin block of four, on card and so free from the defects that can plague this fragile paper, Extremely Fine
3c-12c 1869 Pictorials, Plate Proofs on India or Card (114P3, 115P3, 116P4, 117P4). Blocks of four, large margins, rich colors, 6c few thins break thru, otherwise Very Fine group
90c Lincoln, Dark Navy Blue, Large Die Essay on India (122-E4a). With Lincoln vignette mounted in place, large margins to full, minor paper wrinklingVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE 90-CENT LINCOLN ESSAY WITH VIGNETTE PASTED IN PLACE.
Ex Lake Shore
3c Black, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proof (125TC4). Block of four, large margins, Very Fine and choice, scarce multiple, Scott Retail as singles
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. III, Plate Proof on India (129P3). Block of four, large margins incl. part imprint at bottom, deep rich colors and perfect impressions, tiny pinhole in right margin is natural for India paper and could be trimmed off, Extremely Fine, a desirable and rare part imprint block, Scott Retail for normal block of four
Continental Bank Note Co., 2c Black, "Impressment 1812", Large Die Essay on India (146-E1). Cut close as always, detailed impression, blank oval for vignette, Very Fine and choice example of this rare and attractive essay, the "Impressment 1812" inscription commemorates the principal cause of the War of 1812
90c Rose Carmine, Plate Proof on Card (166P4). Top imprint and plate no. block of 20 with sheet margin at left and part arrow at right, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, a stunning multiple, the plate block is unlisted in Scott, Scott Retail as five blocks of four
5c Black, Trial Color Plate Proof on Card (179TC4). Top imprint and plate no. 244 block of 14, part arrow at left, crisp shade and impression, some slight wrinkling at top left, Very Fine appearance, Scott does not list or price a plate block of this issue, but generally prices plate blocks of the Bank Note proofs at double the value as blocks of four, Scott Retail as blocks of four and singles with no premium for the position $690.00
1c-90c 1890-93 Issue, Plate Proofs on India (219P3-229P3). Complete set of blocks of four with both 2c, several affixed to original card incl. 1c, 8c and 15c-90c (couple of these may in fact be card proofs which catalogue slightly higher than India proofs), large margins incl. couple with corner margins, brilliant colors, fresh and Very Fine, a beautiful and scarce high-quality set of blocks of four
1c-$5.00 1894 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (247P2-263P2). Complete set of 13 proofs, on original gray card backing, bright colorsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1894 ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only 85 albums were produced
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Proof on India (292P1). 97 x 80mm with full die sinkage, detailed impression, Very Fine, an attractive Large Die Proof of what has been called the most beautiful stamp in United States philately
1c-10c Pan-American Issue, President McKinley Presentation Album of Large Die Proofs on India. Black leatherbound presentation album containing complete set of Pan-American Large Die proofs on India, die sunk on card, control numbers on back (17737, 17930, 17914, 18024, 17949, 18029 -- pulled in 1901), wear affects the spine and cornersTHE UNIQUE PRESENTATION PROOF BOOK OF THE PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE PREPARED FOR PRESIDENT McKINLEY AT THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION IN 1901, WHERE HE WAS FATALLY SHOT.
In early September 1901, President William McKinley was standing in a receiving line at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo when he was shot twice by what the official White House website describes as "a deranged anarchist." He died eight days later. The exhibition opened on May 1 and closed on Nov. 1, 1901. We are unsure whether this set of presentation proofs and the related Trans-Mississippi set had already been presented to President McKinley before he was assassinated, or whether they were prepared for him and his untimely demise prevented them from being presented. In either case, the proof album offered here is an important part of U.S. history.
From our 2001 Rarities sale and ex Livingston
10c Carmine Lake, Panama-Pacific Issue, Small Die Trial Color Proof on India (400TC2b). Striking deep color, mounted on watermarked paper which is probably not contemporary, Very Fine and rare, a Power Search review failed to find another example
3c Victory, Large Die Proof on India (537P1). Die sunk on 197 x 146mm card, control no. 937430 and Jan. 31, 1919 handstamp on back, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, scarce example of this die proof
1c-5c Pilgrim Tercentenary, Large Die Proofs on Thick Wove (548P1-550P1). Set of three, each approx. 65 x 54mm, brilliant colors, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE SET OF DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1920 PILGRIM TERCENTENARY ISSUE.
The Scott Catalogue lists large die proofs on India and small die proofs on white wove for the Pilgrim Issue. This set is clearly on white wove but measures considerably larger than small die proofs. Scott Retail for both sets is nearly the same
1c-5c Huguenot-Walloon, Large Die Proofs on India (614P1-616P1). Die sunk on approximately 203 x 154 mm cards, each singed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, with printed "Approved April 14 1924", control numbers on back, rich colors, 2c with light adhesive visible thru IndiaVERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE HUGUENOT-WALLOON ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS, SIGNED BY POSTMASTER GENERAL HARRY S. NEW.
Scott Retail as die proofs without the signatures
1c-5c Lexington-Concord, Large Die Proofs on India (617P1-619P1). Die sunk on approximately 203 x 152 mm cards, each singed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, first two with printed "Approved" and "March 2, 1925" dates, last with manuscript "Approved" and "March 3, 1925" date, also "P.M.G" under New's signature, control numbers on back, bright and fresh colors throughoutVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND PRISTINE COMPLETE SET OF THE LEXINGTON-CONCORD ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS, SIGNED BY POSTMASTER GENERAL HARRY S. NEW.
Scott Retail as die proofs without the signatures
2c Burgoyne, Large Die Proof on White Wove (644P1a), Die sunk on 203 x 153mm card, singed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, with printed "Approved July 11, 1927", control number on back, gorgeous color, fresh and pristine, Extremely Fine, ex Livingston, Scott retail for normal die proof without signature
2c Valley Forge, Large Die Proof on India (645P1). Die sunk on 148 x 197mm card, singed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, with printed "Approved May 16, 1928", control number on back, vibrant color, Very Fine and choice, Scott Retail for normal die proof without signature
1c-10c National Parks, Small Die Proofs on White Wove (740P2-749P2). Complete set of 10 values, 28 x 43mm or 43 x 28mm, bright colors and clear impressions, 10c tiny toned spotVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY COMPLETE SET OF THE 1934 NATIONAL PARKS ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS.
Dies from the 1934 National Parks Issue were used to pull both large and small die proofs. However, only four of the values are known as large die proofs so a complete set cannot be achieved. Noted essay and proof student and dealer James Lee records only one complete set of the small die proofs, offered here.
Ex Livingston
7c Acadia, Large Die Proof on White Wove (746P1a). Die sunk on 152 x 120mm card, deep shade and gorgeous impression showing every minute detail of the engraving, Extremely Fine, a very rare die proof, only four of the National Parks issues are listed in Scott as large die proofs, we are aware of only one other example of this denomination and it is cut down to an irregular small size, ex Livingston, underpriced in Scott given its rarity
9c Mt. Rockwell, Large Die Proof on White Wove (748P1a). Die sunk on 204 x 152mm card, singed by Acting Postmaster General with "Approved, August 20, 1934" in combination of manuscript and type, control number on back, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, believed to be unique, Scott Retail for die proof with no mention of signature and underpriced given its rarity