Sale 1116 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 16-17 December, 2015
Category — Essays, Proofs and Specimens, Bank Note Issues thru 20th Century
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3041
P
1870-73 Bank Note Issues, Plate Proofs on India and Card (145P3/162P4). Outstanding group of nine blocks, mostly position pieces, several showing corner or side sheet margins, incl. top arrow margin block of 10c No. 150P3 on original card, huge corner margin block of six of 12c No. 162P4, same for 7c No. 160P4, several others, Extremely Fine group, some of these come from the Lilly sheets that were broken up
1,145
550
3042
P
1c-90c Continental Bank Note Co., Plate Proofs on Card (156P4-166P4). Complete set less the 12c (Scott Retail for that is only $20.00), plus extra 90c, ample to large margins, Very Fine
1,240
425
Back to Top3043
TC
1c Black, Trial Color Proof on Card (156TC4). Top imprint and plate no. 12 block of 16 with part arrow at left, large margins, top margin reduced, Very Fine and choice, unpriced as plate block, Scott Retail as blocks of four
560
275
Back to Top3044
P
7c Orange, 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, this comes from the Lilly sheet that was broken up
E. 1,500-2,000
1,500
Back to Top3045
P
12c Blackish Violet, Plate Proof on Card (162P4). Top imprint, plate no. 137 and half arrow block of 14, brilliant color, ample to large margins on other sides, small thin spot at top left edge from mount removal far from imprint, 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, this comes from the Lilly sheet that was broken up
E. 1,500-2,000
1,800
Back to Top3046
P
(5c) Garfield, Gray Brown, Large Die Essay on India (205-E2). Three, each die sunk on approx. 150 x 224mm cards with full die sinkage, American Bank Note Co. and die number at bottom, also "Pres. Jas. A. Garfield" printed below design, barest trace of edge foxing of little consequence, Very Fine
750
190
Back to Top3047
E
(1c) Ultramarine, Vignette Only, Large Die Essay on India (212-E2). Die sunk on 72 x 82mm card with full die sinkage, brilliant color, couple trivial toned spots mostly on card, Very Fine and scarce, ex Earl of Crawford
600
350
Back to Top3048
P
1c Ultramarine, Plate Proof on India (212P3). Block of four, large to huge margins all around, deep rich color, Extremely Fine and scarce, Power Search lists only one other, we have not offered one since we last sold this block in 2009, which realized $850.00 despite the $600.00 catalogue value then and now
600
1,100
Back to Top3049
P
2c-90c 1887-88 Issue, Plate Proofs on India (213P3-215P3, 217P3-218P3). Blocks of four affixed to original cards with top sheet margins, missing only the 1c and 5c values from the set, brilliant colors, large margins other sides, fresh and Extremely Fine, wonderful quality
1,850
850
Back to Top3050
P
2c-90c 1887-88 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (213P4-218P4). Bottom imprint, plate no. and half-arrow blocks of 12, brilliant colors, large even margins on other sides, 3c with inconsequential small thin spot at edge of sheet margin from mount removalEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SET OF PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 2-CENT THRU 90-CENT 1887-88 AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. ISSUE FROM THE LILLY SHEETS.
It is interesting to note that all values in this set have the American Bank Note Co. imprint except the 90c, which has the National Bank Note Co. imprint.
These plate bocks come from the Lilly sheets that were broken up after the 1967 sale, and no other plate blocks on card of any denomination were located with Power Search for this series. The 1c value from the 1887 Issue, Scott 212P4, is not known to exist as a plate block -- the largest multiple we have encountered is a block of four (even a single is rare).
Unpriced in Scott as plate blocks. Scott Retail as ordinary blocks of four is $4,050.00, but this set of plate blocks is obviously vastly more rare
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 5,000-7,500
6,250
Back to Top3051
P
2c Lake, 90c Orange, 1890 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (219DP4). Blocks of four, both with large even margins, bright colors, 2c small irregularity between two left stamps, still Very Fine
925
200
Back to Top3052
TC
5c Blue Green, Bright Rose Red, Columbian, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (234TC1a). On 84 x 71mm and 80 x 67mm cards with full die sinkage, intense colors, Very Fine
1,700
1,100
Back to Top3053
P
5c, 6c, 10c Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (234P3-235P3, 237P3). Bottom margin imprint, plate no. and letter strips of five, on original card backing, brilliant colors, one 6c stamp with miniscule surface scrape, Very Fine and attractive trio, unpriced in Scott as imprint and plate number strips, Scott Retail as plate blocks $4,000.00
E. 1,000-1,500
1,900
Back to Top3054
P
1c-$4.00 Columbian, Plate Proof Balance. Mostly card proofs incl. blocks of four of 1c, 2c, 4c (on India) and 8c, pairs of 1c, 2c and 8c, singles of 2c, 4c, 6c and $4.00, bright colors, Very Fine
2,755
800
Back to Top3055
P
1c-$5.00 1894 Issue, Large Die Proofs on India. Die sunk on cards measuring approx. 150 x 200mm, $2.00 and $5.00 may be attached to new cards, thirteen different values, 1c is 246P1, 2c is 250P1, 3c is 253AP1 (Ty. II), 15c is a hybrid, fresh colors, couple with trivial light marks on card only, Very Fine
4,850
1,000
Back to Top3056
P
2c Pink, Ty. I, Large Die Proof on India (248P1). On 153 x 202mm card with full die sinkage, vibrant color, strong impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, this is the discovery example and is most likely unique, Scott has since created a listing but has yet to place a catalogue value to this which is sure to change at the conclusion of this auction, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
E. 750-1,000
1,100
Back to Top3057
P
3c Purple, Ty. I, Large Die Proof on India (253P1). Die sunk on 153 x 203mm card, warm color, couple trivial toned spots on card of little consequence, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive and scarce proof, ex Morris
750
225
Back to Top3058
P
1c-$5.00 1894 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (247P2-263P2). Complete set of 13 proofs, bright colors, removed from card backing, many show the thinning that often occurs with Roosevelt album proofs when they are removed from card (the adhesive used is very difficult to dissolve), Very Fine appearance, ex Curtis, only 85 albums were produced
3,535
0
Back to Top3059
P
1c-15c 1898 Bureau Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (279P2, 281P2, 283P2, 284P2). On original gray cards, rich colors, Very Fine, approximately 85 were produced
1,500
800
Back to Top3060
P
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Large Die Proofs on India (285P1-293P1). On 203 x 151mm cards with full die sinkage, rich colors, 2c and 4c with trivial light marks (on card only)VERY FINE. A SCARCE AND BEAUTIFUL SET OF FULL-SIZE LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Full-size complete sets of the Trans-Mississippi Issue are seldom offered and often come with far more toning and marks on the cards than the set offered here.
7,950
3,500
Back to Top3061
P
8c Violet Black, Large Die Proof on Glazed Card (306P1 var). 30 x 32mm, intense shade, Very Fine and rare, listed as a large die proof only on India, this comes from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann (lots 3062-3069 also originate with Kauffmann), and has never before appeared on the market, Scott Retail as full-size large die proof on India
1,750
600
Back to Top3062
P
$1.00 Lincoln Memorial, $2.00 Capitol, Large Die Proofs on India (571P1-572P1). Reduced to 33 x 31mm, still showing large margins all around, rich colors, Very Fine, Scott Retail as full size
4,000
900
Back to Top3063
P
5c Lexington-Concord, Large Die Proof on Wove Paper (619). 53 x 36mm, rich color, couple tiny toned specks outside design, Very Fine
2,000
400
Back to Top3064
E
3c Purple, Michigan Centenary, Progressive Large Die Proof on Card (775-E1). 62 x 47mm showing layout lines outside the design, incomplete design most obvious in the top label which is missing "Michigan", other features of the final engraving also incomplete incl. parts of background and "Centenary", couple inconsequential toning specks outside the design, Very Fine and probably unique, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market, we have assigned it No. 775-E1
E. 500-750
600
Back to Top3065
E
3c Black, Ordinance of 1787 Sesquicentennial, Large Die Essay on Glazed Card (795-E1). 92 x 81mm, intense shade, Very Fine, an outstanding and extremely rare essay which differs significantly from the issued design -- only the portraits of Cutler and Putnam are similar, the frame is completely different and this also lacks the central scene of the U.S. map, also in a different color than the issued stamp, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market, we have assigned it No. 795-E1
E. 750-1,000
550
Back to Top3066
E
3c Purple, Ordinance of 1787 Sesquicentennial, Large Die Essay on Glazed Card (795-E1). 140 x 89mm with die sinkage on three sides, showing layout lines from the die, pencil "June 14, 1937", blue Bureau control no. 515342 on back, diagonal crease far from design and small tear at bottom of card, Very Fine, an outstanding and extremely rare essay which differs significantly from the issued design -- only the portraits of Cutler and Putnam are similar, the frame is completely different and this also lacks the central scene of the U.S. map, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market, we have assigned it No. 795-E1
E. 750-1,000
800
Back to Top3067
E
3c Purple, Ordinance of 1787 Sesquicentennial, Large Die Essay on Glazed Card (795-E1). 49 x 33mm, Very Fine, an outstanding and extremely rare essay which differs significantly from the issued design -- only the portraits of Cutler and Putnam are similar, the frame is completely different and this also lacks the central scene of the U.S. map, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market, we have assigned it No. 795-E1
E. 400-500
425
Back to Top3068
E
3c Purple, Ordinance of 1787 Sesquicentennial, Progressive Large Die Proof on India (795-E2). 93 x 79mm affixed to slightly larger card, pencil "518301" at bottom, Very Fine, an extremely rare progressive die proof of this popular commemorative, this is the issued design but with numerous differences, lacks shading lines in the map of the U.S. which separate the Northwest Territory, in the Cutler and Putnam labels and in Canada, also with much more pronounced (and possibly additional) shading lines (waves) in the Atlantic Ocean than in the issued design, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market, we have assigned it No. 795-E2
E. 500-750
1,100
Back to Top3069
P
3c Purple, Ordinance of 1787 Sesquicentennial, Large Die Proof on Glazed Card (795P1). 49 x 34mm, apparently the complete design including the shading lines missing from the proof in the previous lot and fewer waves in the Atlantic Ocean, Very Fine, unlisted in Scott, this originates from the estate of the engraver, Leo C. Kauffmann, and has never before appeared on the market
E. 400-500
600
Back to Top3070
P
$2.00-$20.00 State Department, Officials, Plate Proofs on India. Horizontal pairs, each with ample to large margins, free of the translucencies that often affect this fragile paper, Very Fine, lot also incl. large die proof of No. PR112, 100 x 128mm with full die sinkage, Very Fine
925
425
Back to Top3071
E
1874-1903 Postal Stationery Issues, Die Wax Essays (U108-E/UO61-E). 15 die impressions in red wax, UPSS die nos. between 46 and 109, plus two Officials and two labeled "Essay", mounted in three rows in a leather case housed inside a frame, with brass "Wax Impressions of Envelope Dies 1874-1903 - Plimpton Manufacturing Co." label on bottom of frame, each impression identified as to year, deeply impressed and showing every minute detail of the engraving, most with thin cracksVERY FINE. A RARE AND STRIKING DISPLAY OF WAX ESSAY IMPRESSIONS FOR POSTAL STATIONERY ISSUES BETWEEN 1874 AND 1903.
These wax impressions show the true quality of postal stationery engraving. Illustrated in Undersander on p. iv. Accompanied by a list identifying each die by UPSS no. Total Undersander value $8,000.00
E. 2,000-3,000
2,000
Back to Top3072
S
1c-90c 1889 American Bank Note Issue, "Sample." and "Sample A." Ovpts. (212S-K-191S-K, 212S-L-191S-L). Type K ovpts. missing only the 5c and 15c values (one of the 2c colors present), Type L ovpts. also missing the 5c and 15c, all but two original gum, largely h.r., attractive centering, some flaws incl. a few with thins, Fine-Very Fine appearance
1,350
425
Back to Top3073
P
Engraver Signed Plate Blocks and Bank Note Co. Vignettes. Group of more than 100 plate blocks from 1930's and 1940's commemorative issues, many signed by Leo C. Kauffmann, who was an engraver at the Bureau and American Bank Note Co., many others signed by other picture or frame engravers, a number with multiple signatures, some stuck together but fewer than half, also approximately 25 vignette engravings, many of these undoubtedly done by Kauffmann, no stamp designs in this group but some interesting items, overall a fascinating group
E. 400-500
500
Back to Top3074
1c Black on Buff, Postal Card, "Ultramar" Specimen (UX18S). Clear "Ultramar" overprint in blue, Very Fine, a rare item for the postal card specialist, these were distributed by the UPU for the postal archives of Portuguese Colonies
E. 500-750
475
Back to Top3075
P
Essays and Proofs Balance. 32 items, wide range of proofs and essays with a focus on No. 63 and 145, each individually identified on stock pages, some highlights incl. Nos. 1TC1a in dull green, 71P1, 112P4 block of four, 145-E8b, a couple Bowlsby patent coupons among much more, some small faults but mostly Fine-Very Fine, a few ex Finkelburg
E. 1,500-2,000
1,900
Back to Top3076
E
Essays Balance. Seven items, incl. Nos. 73-E6a in violet and 73-E6c singles in red violet and blue, three U.S. Army Frank Official stamps in different colors (small faults) and a Minnesota North Star ABNCo. proof depicting Indians and farmer, Fine-Very Fine
E. 150-200
130
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