Sale 1254 &#8212; United States Stamps

3,750

1,600

652

Postmaster's Provisionals, Proofs Balance. Seven items, six are Postmaster's Provisional trial color proofs, including four New York No. 9X1TC5 in Scarlet (two), Deep Blue and Dark Green, one Scarlet with large margins, the others close or touched, couple with typical translucencies, also two Providence No. 10X1TC4 in Green and Brown Carmine, these are fresh and Very Fine, finally one 1851 Issue Franklin essay No. 11-E3c in Dark Blue, small translucency, appears Very Fine

1,550

425

653

5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Large Die Proofs on Pink Bond (1P1b, 2P1b). 5c 36 x 42mm, 10c 36 x 48mm, both show full cross-hatching, deep rich colors on pink-tinted paper, the 10c with interesting printing on back with various names and weights of paper, very likely this was taken from a papermaker's sample book

VERY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE PAIR OF 1847 LARGE DIE PROOFS ON COLORED BOND.

With 2007 and 2008 P.F. certificates respectively

2,500

1,000

654

5c Deep Blue, 10c Dull Gray Blue, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on Bond and India (1TC1b, 2TC1a). 5c 30 x 36mm on bond, 10c 25 x 32mm on India, both with cross-hatching, beautiful colors in quite different shades of blue, Very Fine, 10c with 2008 P.F. certificate calling the paper "bond" but we believe it is India paper

1,800

425

655

5c and 10c Orange Vermilion, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on Bond (1TC1b, 2TC1b). 5c 29 x 32mm, 10c 31 x 42mm, both with cross-hatching, brilliant colors, Very Fine, a pretty matched pair of 1847 Issue trial color proofs, with 2006 P.F. certificates with the old Scott Numbers

1,600

425

656

5c and 10c Blue Green, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on Bond (1TC1b, 2TC1b). 5c 31 x 39mm, 10c 26 x 36mm, both with cross-hatching, wonderful depth of colors with the 5c in a slightly softer shade (certified as Dull Blue Green), 10c with a thin spot at top left, still Very Fine matched pair of 1847 Issue trial color proofs, ex Finkelburg, with 2008 and 2007 P.F. certificates respectively

1,600

400

657

5c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on Bond (1TC1b). 33 x 40mm with full cross-hatching, fresh and Very Fine, desirable in Black, with 2008 P.F. certificate

800

275

658

5c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on Bond (1TC1b). 31 x 36mm with cross-hatching, intense shade distinctly different from the Black example offered in the previous lot, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate as the old Scott number

800

250

659

5c Scarlet Vermilion, Large Die Trial Color Proof on Thin Glazed Card (1TC1d). 45 x 54mm, showing faint albino cross-hatching, glowing color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate

850

325

660

10c Orange Vermilion, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (2TC1a). 40 x 45mm with full cross-hatching, gorgeous glowing color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate

1,000

375

661

10c Golden Brown, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (2TC1a). 38 x 42mm with full cross-hatching, deep rich color, certificate mentions a tiny thin spot at top far from the design but this is endemic to this fragile paper and not worth mentioning, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate

1,000

275

662

10c 1847 Issue, Large Die Trial Color Proofs on Bond (2TC1b). Three, in Deep Blue, Dull Blue Green and Orange Vermilion, each is cut down to the size of a Jumbo-margined stamp but still showing traces of cross-hatching, Very Fine and attractive trio, with 2008 P.F. certificates, Scott value as full-size

2,400

500

663

5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Large Die Proofs on India (1P1-2P1). Both cut down to stamp size, gorgeous colors, fresh and Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificates, Scott value as full-size

1,600

225

664

5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproduction, Plate Proofs on Card (3P4-4P4). Large margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice

Image 2

500

250

665

5c 1856 Issue, Trial Color Plate Proofs on Wove (12TC5). Three, including Deep Orange, Dark Olive Bister and Olive Green, margins to touched, the second with a large filled thin, otherwise Fine

900

200

666

12c Greenish Black, Large Die Proof on Wove (44P1). Detailed impression, cut down to the size of a small die proof and closely resembling an example from a Roosevelt album, but it is not one, Very Fine, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate stating "genuine die proof on white wove, reduced on all sides", Scott value as large die proof on India

325

170

667

1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (63P4/78P4). Each of the ten denominations, mostly large margins, a couple large to full, Very Fine-Extremely Fine set

540

200

668

1c-90c 1869 Pictorial Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (112P4-117P4, 120P4-122P4, 129P4). Complete set of ten values, 15c Ty. III, most with large margins, Fine-Very Fine

1,015

300

669

3c Green, Plate Proof on India (147P3). Block of 72 in 12 x 6 format, large margins all around, fresh and Very Fine, an impressive and scarce large multiple which had to have been cut from a full sheet of 200, Scott value as 18 blocks of four

1,620

500

670

1c Ultramarine, Large Die Proof on India (156P1). Die sunk on 126 x 170mm card, card with tiny surface scuffs and toned specks at bottom, appears Very Fine, ex "Lake Shore"

450

225

671

30c Black, Imperforate (228a). Horizontal pair, slightly disturbed original gum, large even margins, light vertical crease in right stamp, appears Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate as No. 228Pa

1,000

650

672

30c Black, Columbian, Trial Color Plate Proof on Card (239TC4). Block of four, large margins all around including right sheet margin, intense shade and impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, a very scarce multiple and unlisted as a block, ex Schwartz, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott value as singles

1,400

600

673

1c-10c Pan-American, Large Die Proofs on India (294P1-299P1). On approximately 200 x 152mm cards with full die sinkage, blue control nos. on back for 2c thru 10c (16189, 16295, 16686, 16850 and 17167), rich colors, 8c and 10c with some minor card toning at left

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS FOR THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION ISSUE.

This set is especially desirable with the blue Bureau control numbers on back. With 2006 P.F. certificates

3,450

1,400

674

1c-10c Pan-American, Large Die Proofs on India (294P1-299P1). On approximately 204 x 152mm cards with full die sinkage, blue control nos. on back (15969, 16073, 16376, 16680, 16999 and 17158), bright colors throughout, h.r.'s on back, a couple values with just a faint trace of hinge mark on the front on the card, but overall much fresher and cleaner than often encountered

VERY FINE AND HANDSOME SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS FOR THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION ISSUE.

This set is especially desirable with the blue Bureau control numbers on back.

3,450

1,100

675

1c-10c Pan-American, "Specimen" Ovpt. Type E (294S-E to 299S-E). Each a left selvage single (selvage separated on 10c), original gum, 2c-10c Mint N.H. (hinged in selvage only), 5c with natural straight edge at top, bright colors, Fine-Very Fine

1,410

750

676

9c Rose, Large Die Proof on India (561P1). Die sunk on 152 x 201mm card, typed "Approved November 23, 1922" and signed by Postmaster General Hubert Work, blue control no. 1184457 on back, radiant color, Very Fine and rare, we have not offered another example since 2004, with 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott value as unsigned proof, accompanied by a photocopy of a letter from Hubert Work stating this and other proofs were prepared for presentation to President Calvin Coolidge

1,000

650

677

12c Brown Violet, Large Die Proof on India (564P1). Die sunk on 152 x 203mm card, typed "Approved February 27, 1923" and signed by Postmaster General Hubert Work, blue control no. 1203185 on back, deep dark color, Very Fine and rare, this is the only example contained in Power Search, with 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott value as unsigned proof, accompanied by a photocopy of a letter from Hubert Work stating this and other proofs were prepared for presentation to President Calvin Coolidge

1,000

950

678

25c Deep Green, Large Die Proof on India (568P1). Die sunk on 202 x 151mm card, typed "Approved September 28, 1922" and signed by Postmaster General Hubert Work, blue control no. 1175565 on back, beautiful rich color, Very Fine and rare, we have not offered another example since 2004, Scott value as unsigned proof, accompanied by a photocopy of a letter from Hubert Work stating this and other proofs were prepared for presentation to President Calvin Coolidge

1,000

700

679

17c Black, Large Die Proof on India (623P1). Die sunk on 198 x 147mm card, typed "Approved November 30, 1925. Postmaster General" and signed by Harry S. New, blue control no. 1360804 on back, two trivial toned spots on India paper at bottom far from stamp design, Very Fine, ex Finkelburg, Scott value for a normal large die proof (it is listed out of order in the Scott Catalogue, making it difficult to find)

1,000

950

680

2c Carmine Rose, Fallen Timbers, Small Die Proof on Wove (680P2). Deep rich color, Extremely Fine and one of only three known, outside of a large intact group of 20th Century small die proofs offered in our Sale 1113, this is one of only two examples we have offered since before 1993 -- the other example we sold in 2021 realized $2,000 hammer -- with 2008 P.F. certificate

1,500

2,200

681

2c Carmine, Ohio River, Large Die Proof on Wove (681P1a). 112 x 89mm, with blue control no. 362980 at bottom along with some extraneous red ink, rich color, Very Fine and quite rare, 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 -- this example comes from that set -- the other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size, with 2007 P.F. certificate

1,500

1,400

682

2c Carmine Rose, Massachusetts Bay, Small Die Proof on Wove (682P2). Bright color, Extremely Fine and one of only three known, outside of a large intact group of 20th Century small die proofs offered in our Sale 1113, this is one of only two examples we have offered since before 1993, with 2008 P.F. certificate

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Market data

1,500

1,000

683

2c Carmine Rose, Washington Bicentennial, Large Die Proof on India (707P1). 81 x 95mm India paper die sunk on 153 x 202mm card, black control no. 70097 on back, gorgeous color, Very Fine and extremely rare, we have not offered another example since keeping computerized records 30 yeras ago

1,500

650

684

3c Purple, Mothers, Large Die Proof on Wove (737P1a). 50 x 54mm, deep rich color, Very Fine, this is a rare proof in any form -- large on India or wove or small on wove, with 2007 P.F. certificate

1,000

650

685

3c Bright Purple, Saint-Gaudens, Large Die Proof on Wove (886P1). 77 x 91mm yellowish wove paper die sunk on 136 x 190mm card, brilliant color, three punch holes at left, back with handstamped "Engraver's Stock Proof,/ Authorized by" with magenta initials, also blue control no. 650575A, some old acetate has been removed from back leaving a residue strip along one edge -- which is irrelevant and completely invisible from the front, Very Fine and very rare, ex Livingston, the Shreves catalogue for that sale states this is the only known example in private hands, with 2006 P.F. certificate, for some reason this is not listed in Scott but the other similar Famous American proofs are all priced at

1,500

850

686

3c Bright Purple, McCormick, Large Die Proof on Wove (891P1). 77 x 91mm wove paper die sunk on 152 x 190mm card, glowing color, black control no. 70043 on back, Very Fine and very rare, we have not offered another example since keeping computerized records 30 years ago, Brazer backstamp and with 2008 P.F. certificate

1,500

850

687

3c Bright Mauve, National Defense, Large Die Proof on India (901P1). Die sunk on 150 x 202mm card, at the top of the India paper is albino embossed "Education Security - Education Conversation Health", handstamped on back "Engraver's Stock Proof,/ Authorized by" with brown initials, also blue control no. 656983A, tiny corner crease at top left, Very Fine, ex Livingston, the Shreves catalogue for that sale states this is likely the only known example in private hands, with 2006 P.F. certificate

1,500

850

688

3c Violet, Trucking, Large Die Proof on Wove (1025P1a). Die sunk on 204 x 152mm card, three punch holes at top, purple "Engraver's Stock Proof, Authorized by" and signed, blue control no. 130090B, intense violet color, "C" security punch taped back in place (a normal practice), fresh and Very Fine, extremely rare, ex Livingston, the Shreves catalogue for that sale states this is likely the only known example in private hands, with 2007 P.F. certificate

1,500

2,800

689

10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E1P1). Die sunk on 215 x 143mm card, rich color, extreme edges of card with some inconsequential toning -- trimming about 2mm would remove it, Very Fine

600

250

690

20c Black, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E14P1). 105 x 90mm India paper die sunk on 200 x 151mm card, typed "Approved: April 10, 1925." and signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, blue control no. 1326118 on reverse, intense shade and beautiful crisp condition, Very Fine and rare, with 2008 P.F. certificate, based on the tight range of control numbers seen on the three examples we have offered, it is apparent that only a handful of these were produced, the last example we offered realized $3,750 hammer in our 2015 sale of the Curtis collection -- that card was not as pristine as the example offered here

2,000

1,600

691

1c-50c Bright Claret, 1891 Postage Due, Plate Proofs on Card (J22P4-J28P4). Complete set in blocks of four, each with large even margins all around, wonderful depth of color, Extremely Fine and pristine set

560

475

692

(1c) Franklin, 1c Eagle, Carriers, Trial Color Plate Proofs (LO1TC5, LO2TC4). Franklin Carrier Orange plate proof on wove, brilliant color, thin spot at top, appears Very Fine, with 1978 and 2007 P.F. certificates, Eagle Carrier complete set of Atlanta Trial Color proofs on card, five colors in total as produced, full margins, rich colors, Very Fine

910

375

693

Proofs Collection Balance. Extensive balance of more than 50 items, most are plate proofs on card or India but also includes a large die proof, a Roosevelt small die proof and a few imperforate on stamp paper items, some of the better items include Nos. 1P3, 3P4-4P4, another 4P4, 62BP3 (mounted on a card), 71P2 from a Roosevelt album, 77P3 pair with sheet margin, a few other 1857-61 Issues proofs, 156P4, 160P1 large die proof cut down to 40 x 46mm, 161P4, five different Columbian plate proofs on card, others including Back-of-Book with some Special Delivery and a few Officials departments, the vast majority with decent margins and fresh color, a few typical faults to be found but overall this is an attractive and good-quality balance, nearly all of these were purchased individually in small auctions, see our website PDF for a complete scan, total Scott value approximately