Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1907 Jamestown Issue: Essays and Proofs
1c Green, Jamestown, Large Die Essay on India (328-E2). 91 x 76mm India paper die sunk on 109 x 94mm card, bright color, pencil "Unfinished" at bottomVERY FINE. A UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE ONE-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE.
The 1907 Jamestown issue is extremely rare in essay-proof form -- particularly in essay form. Scott lists only two for the 1c, none for the 2c and four for the 5c (each different, all are in this sale). The two 1c have incomplete shading. One is listed on pale cream wove paper and is only slightly larger than a stamp (30 x 24mm, No. 328-E1). We have not encountered that essay and we are not certain if the state of incomplete shading is the same as on the essay offered here, which is the other Scott-listed essay, on India paper die sunk on card (328-E2).
Ex Woods, Finkelburg, "Lake Shore" and Livingston. Illustrated in Scott Catalogue.
5c Black, Jamestown, Vignette Only, Large Die Essay on India (330-E1). 91 x 79mm India paper die sunk on 123 x 132mm card, blue "245910" Bureau control no. on back, insignificant toned spot at far left of cardVERY FINE. A UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE.
The 1907 Jamestown issue is extremely rare in essay-proof form -- particularly in essay form. Scott lists only two for the 1c, none for the 2c and four for the 5c (each different, all are in this sale). This 5c vignette-only essay is incomplete in several areas of the design.
Ex Finkelburg, "Lake Shore" and Livingston. Illustrated in Scott Catalogue.
5c Blue, Jamestown, Large Die Essay on India (330-E2). 91 x 78mm India paper die sunk on 109 x 95mm card, striking appearance with all of the background design unfinished, vivid color, insignificant corner crease in card only at top rightVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE.
The 1907 Jamestown issue is extremely rare in essay-proof form -- particularly in essay form. Scott lists only two for the 1c, none for the 2c and four for the 5c (each different, all are in this sale). This 5c is one of the most striking 20th Century essays due to its significant degree of incompleteness. Most progressive die essays have more subtle omissions of engraving.
Ex Livingston. Illustrated in Scott Catalogue. With 1978 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Jamestown, Large Die Essay on India (330-E3). 87 x 75mm India paper die sunk on 123 x 175mm card, blue "247606" Bureau control no. on backVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A UNIQUE LARGE DIE ESSAY FOR THE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN WITH NEARLY COMPLETED DESIGN.
The 1907 Jamestown issue is extremely rare in essay-proof form -- particularly in essay form. Scott lists only two for the 1c, none for the 2c and four for the 5c (each different, all are in this sale). This progressive die essay is nearly complete, except for some shading lines in several parts of the design.
Ex Finkelburg, "Lake Shore" and Livingston. Illustrated in Scott Catalogue.
5c Black, Jamestown, Large Die Essay on India (330-E4). 87 x 75mm India paper die sunk on 123 x 175mm card, intense shade, couple insignificant small spots on India paperVERY FINE. A UNIQUE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN LARGE DIE ESSAY IN BLACK.
The 1907 Jamestown issue is extremely rare in essay-proof form -- particularly in essay form. Scott lists only two for the 1c, none for the 2c and four for the 5c (each different, all are in this sale). This is the most complete of the four known progressive die essays of this value, but the shading in the ribbons is still unfinished.
Ex Livingston. With 1978 P.F. certificate
1c-5c Jamestown, Large Die Proofs on India (328P1-330P1). Complete set on India paper, die sunk on approximately 135 x 123mm cards, each with "Approved, Third Assistant Postmaster General" and dated March 28 (2c), April 8 (1c) and April 17 (5c), signed by Third Assistant Postmaster General A.L. Lawshe (2c) or by George von L. Meyer (1c and 5c), the latter two have "Third Assistant" cut away because von L. Meyer was in fact the newly appointed Postmaster General, bright and freshVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN SET OF SIGNED APPROVAL DIE PROOFS OF THE JAMESTOWN ISSUE IN PRIVATE HANDS.
The date on the 5c proof offered here is very close to the opening of the exposition on April 26, 1907, which could explain why there are no known first day covers of the 5c on April 26 (EDU is May 8). There may not have been enough time from the approval of the die to the delivery of the stamps to supply them to the exhibition by April 26.
Ex Livingston. 5c with 1978 P.F. certificate. Scott value without regard to the signatures.
View PDF of contents of this lot
1c-5c Jamestown, Small Die Proofs on Wove (328P2-330P2). Each approximately 40 x 32mm, mounted on quadrille cards making it difficult to determine the exact nature of the paper but discussions with essay-proof specialists point to these being Roosevelt proofs but with slightly larger margins, radiant colorsVERY FINE SET OF ROOSEVELT SMALL DIE PROOFS OF THE 1907 JAMESTOWN ISSUE. ROOSEVELT PROOFS OF ISSUES AFTER THE ALBUMS CAME OUT IN 1903 ARE VERY RARE.
In 1903, 85 Roosevelt presentation albums were prepared and 75 were initially given away. The Jamestown issue was not released until 1907 and so was not included in the album production. Ten albums were initially retained and several years after the first albums were released, some of those ten were updated with stamp issues that came after 1903. We do not know for certain how many were updated, or how many post-1903 proofs were printed and not affixed to albums. Suffice to say that Roosevelt proofs of post-1903 issues are significantly rarer than proofs of the earlier issues. A Power Search review reveals that this is only the second complete set we have offered since keeping computerized records 30 years ago.
1c-5c Jamestown, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (328P2a-330P2a). Complete set, rich colors, normal paper toning of the genuine Panama-Pacific proofsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SET OF PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS OF THE 1907 JAMESTOWN ISSUE.
In 1915 a limited special printing of 413 different small die proofs was created for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. They were printed on yellowish wove paper, and it is believed no more than five examples of each stamp were produced. This set of Jamestown Panama-Pacific proofs is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records 30 years ago and we would be very surprised if five sets actually exist.
Each with 1991 P.F. certificate
1c-5c Jamestown, Franklin D. Roosevelt Small Die Proofs on Wove (328P2-330P2 var). Complete set, approximately 32 x 24mm on soft wove paper, brilliant colors, small translucency at top of 2c and 5cVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE SET OF SMALL DIE PROOFS OF THE JAMESTOWN ISSUE, PRODUCED DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
According to research by essay-proof authority James E. Lee and an article by Clarence Brazer in the Essay-Proof Journal, three sets of full-size unmounted die proofs on wove paper were produced in the 1930s by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) -- covering issues from the 1898 Trans-Mississippi through the 1934 Mother's Day. One set, with proving room numbers on the face, remained full size and became part of the Hugh M. Southgate collection (thought to be part of a trade with the BEP) and then the Caroline Prentiss Cromwell collection. That set is offered in lot 1548. The other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size. One of the trimmed sets was given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The other probably went to Alvin Hall, director of the BEP. Today we know of a fourth set of small die proofs, which Greg Manning Auctions sold on behalf of The Philatelic Foundation in 1973.
2c Carmine, Jamestown, Large Die Proof on India (329P1). 57 x 57mm, brilliant color, faint stain below the design at bottom, still Very Fine and scarce
1c-5c Jamestown, "Southgate" Large Die Proofs on Wove (328P1-330P1 var). Complete set, similar sizes ranging from 81 x 60mm to 89 x 64mm, on soft wove paper, each with blue Bureau control no. -- 363567 (1c), 363573 (2c) and 363577 (5c), brilliant colors, small translucencies from prior mounting at tops, 1c corner crease at bottom left far from designVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE JAMESTOWN ISSUE, PRODUCED DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
According to research by essay-proof authority James E. Lee and an article by Clarence Brazer in the Essay-Proof Journal, three sets of full-size die proofs on wove paper were produced in the 1930s by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) -- covering issues from the 1898 Trans-Mississippi through the 1934 Mother's Day. One set, with proving room numbers on the face, remained full size and became part of the Hugh M. Southgate collection (thought to be part of a trade with the BEP) and then the Caroline Prentiss Cromwell collection. That is the set offered here. The other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size and one such set is offered in lot 1546. One of the trimmed sets was given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The other probably went to Alvin Hall, director of the BEP. Today we know of a fourth set of small die proofs, which Greg Manning Auctions sold on behalf of The Philatelic Foundation in 1973.
Ex Southgate and Prentiss Cromwell.
1c Green, Jamestown, Engraved Counterfeit (328 var). Design measuring 26.25 x 19.25mm (slightly smaller than genuine stamp), printed on 35 x 29mm card, magenta manuscript "Counterfeit" on back, quite well-executed but unlikely to fool, Smith's head is slightly wider, his index finger holding his sword is
exceptionally long, and numerous shading lines also differ, small stain in margin, we do not know the origin of this engraved counterfeit, but it was apparently discovered in California and first reported by George. B. Sloane in 1950, an interesting item