Sale 1082 — The William Fekete Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 21-22 October, 2014
Category — Essays and Proofs: Pan-American thru Later Issues
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
166
P
1c-10c Pan-American, Large Die Proofs on India (294P1-299P1). On approximately 200 x 152mm cards with full die sinkage, blue control number on back, bright colors, some faint toning and edge or corner nicks (which could be trimmed), Very Fine appearing set of these bi-color commemorative proofs
3,450
1,600
167
P
1c-10c Pan-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (294P2-299P2). Complete page from a Roosevelt presentation album, proofs are bright and fresh, Very Fine, only 85 sets were produced and complete pages are rare
3,450
2,100
Back to Top168
P
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, Small Die Proofs on Wove (300P2-313P2). Complete set, rich colors, each on original small gray card backing, 50c trifle oxidizedVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF 1902 ISSUE SMALL DIE PROOFS FROM A ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM.
Only 85 presentation albums were prepared.
4,275
2,400
Back to Top169
E
3c Minerva, Harris Automatic Press Company Offset Essay on Hard White Wove Paper (TD28-TD29). Singles showing both orientations, large margins, Very Fine and scarce, Harris installed one of their presses in the BEP to demonstrate production of stamps by the offset method, the design was taken from the 2c 1903 Issue, the presses were not adopted at that time but were used for printing some Revenue stamps, particularly Tax Paids
1,300
275
Back to Top170
P
2c Jamestown, Small Die Proof on Wove (329P2). Rich color, Very Fine and scarce, a review of our sales using Power Search failed to locate another example
900
950
Back to Top171
E
2c Panama-Pacific, "Golden Gate" Photographic Essay (398-E1). Photographic design 34 x 22mm, with ink and wash touch-up and mounted on 107 x 81mm thick gray card, depicting Golden Gate as adopted for the 5c design, back with purple "Stamp Division P.O. Dept. Feb. 21, 1912" double-circle datestamp, tiny bit of corner wear of no consequence, Very Fine, illustrated in Brazer (with erroneous measurements and description), with 1996 P.F. certificate
1,500
2,800
Back to Top172
E
2c Panama-Pacific, "Gatun Locks" Error, Composite Photographic Essay (398-E2). Two photos, for outer frame and vignette, overlaid into a composite design, "2" denominations drawn in with wash as well as other ink and wash touch-ups to the design, mounted on 99 x 71mm thick gray card with manuscript "Approved Aug. 27-1912 Frank H. Hitchcock Postmaster General", Very Fine, an outstanding and unique essay, the 2c Panama-Pacific stamp design was based on a model on display at the War Department, the image was incorrectly identified as the Gatun Locks, in fact, the scene was of the Pedro Miguel Locks, the Bureau destroyed all finished stamps of the Gatun Locks error and re-engraved the die to read "Panama Canal", the only tangible evidence of the Bureau's error to reach the public are this and one other slightly different photographic essay, as well as two die proofs, one of which is offered in lot 173 (the whereabouts of the second is unknown to us or to leading proof and essay dealers), ex Cromwell and Livingston
1,500
5,750
Back to Top173
E
2c Lake, Panama-Pacific, "Gatun Locks" Error, Small Die Proof on India (398-E3b). Full margins, fresh color, two tiny thinsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND FASCINATING UNITED STATES ERROR, WHICH EXISTS ONLY IN PROOF STATE. AN IMPORTANT ITEM FOR THE PROOF OR ERROR SPECIALIST.
The 2c Panama-Pacific stamp design was based on a model chosen by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's director. He first rejected a photograph sent from the Panama Canal. Instead, a scaled model on display at the War Department was photographed and used as the basis for the engraving. What the Bureau did not realize until after the stamps had been printed was that the image was incorrectly identified as the Gatun Locks. In fact, the scene was of the Pedro Miguel Locks. Realizing its mistake prior to releasing the finished stamps, the Bureau destroyed all copies of the Gatun Locks error and re-engraved the die to read "Panama Canal." The stamps were printed from new plates, and the only tangible evidence of the Bureau's error to reach the public was the die proofs reading "Gatun Locks." Only two proofs are generally thought to exist, plus the two (slightly different) original photographic models, one of which is offered in lot 172. Brazer states that only one small die proof impression is in public hands. The whereabouts of the Scott listed large die proof is unknown to us or to leading proof and essay dealers
6,000
12,500
Back to Top174
E
10c Panama-Pacific, "Cabrillo 1542" Photographic Essay (400-E2). Photographic design with ink touch-up, mounted on 90 x 83mm card, depicting frame as adopted but unadopted vignette, Very Fine, scarce
1,500
1,000
Back to Top175
P
1c Pilgrim Tercentenary, Small Die Proof on Wove (548P2). Rich color, faint corner crease, Very Fine appearance
1,200
500
Back to Top176
E
(2c or 5c) Green, Pilgrim Tercentenary, Frame Only Large Die Essay on India (549-E1). On 201 x 94mm card with full die sinkage, deep rich color, blue control number 1057395 on back, minor soiling of India paper, still Very Fine and extremely rare, we are aware of only one other which is ex Livingston, despite this being in the color of the 1c issue, it is generally regarded as an essay for the 2c or 5c
1,600
1,600
Back to Top177
P
-1/2c Hale, Large Die Proof on India (551P1). On 152 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, typed "Approved: March 7, 1925. Postmaster General." and signed by Harry S. New, blue 1319862 control number on back, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine
1,500
1,200
Back to Top178
P
8c Grant, Large Die Proof on India (560P1). On 151 x 201mm card with full die sinkage, typed "Approved April 10, 1923. Postmaster General" and signed Harry S. New, blue 1212370 control number on back, Extremely Fine
1,000
800
Back to Top179
P
14c Hollow Horn Bear, Large Die Proof on India (565P1). On 152 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, typed "Approved March 24, 1923. Postmaster General" and signed Harry S. New, blue 1208112 control number on back, minor corner bend at bottom right, still Very Fine, accompanied by a large engraving on India, die sunk on same size card, depicting an Indian in headdress, pencil "Hollow Horn Bear - Brule Sioux", small margin tear at bottom and card thinning outside India paper, still Very Fine, this engraving was the basis for the design of the 14c stamp, Scott Retail for the 565P1 die proof $1,000.00
E. 750-1,000
1,600
Back to Top180
P
30c Buffalo, Large Die Proof on India (569P1). On 199 x 149mm card with full die sinkage, typed "Approved February 23, 1923. Postmaster General." and signed by Hubert Work, blue 1201958 control number on back, Very Fine
1,000
1,800
Back to Top181
P
$5.00 Head of Freedom, Large Die Proof on India (573P1). Hybrid die proof as are all known contemporary examples, India paper cut to shape and mounted on larger piece of yellowish bond, die sunk on 150 x 200mm card with full die sinkage, typed "Approved: February 7, 1923." and signed by Postmaster General Hubert Work, pencil "1198125" on back, some very faint toning and slight wrinkling of bond paperVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE $5.00 1922 HEAD OF FREEDOM ISSUE.
This is only the second example we have offered since 2001. The Livingston example was not signed by the postmaster general. Accompanied by a letter dated March 1, signed by Harry S. New, stating that the set of die proofs prepared by his direction was presented to President Calvin Coolidge
Scott Retail without signature
5,000
4,000
Back to Top182
P
2c Harding, Large Die Proof on India (610P1). Mounted inside 151 x 200mm thick cardboard frame, manuscript "From the first sheet of Harding Memorial stamps, August 1923. Harry S. New Postmaster General", old mounting remnants and blue control number 1234558 on back, Very Fine and rare, we have not offered another full-size die proof since 2001, this was reportedly presented to Mrs. Harding, Scott Retail for normal large die proof
1,400
1,100
Back to Top183
P
1c Huguenot-Walloon, Small Die Proof on Wove (614P2). Rich color, Very Fine and rare
700
425
Back to Top184
P
1c-5c Lexington-Concord, Large Die Proofs and Large Die Essay on India (617P1, 618E1 var, 619P1). Die sunk on approximately 202 x 151 mm cards, the 2c is an essay with incomplete engraving in the spaces between "Birth of Liberty", gorgeous colors, pencil notations at bottom identifying the engravers, blue control numbers on back, slight corner rounding, Very Fine and scarce set, Scott Retail as die proofs of 1c and 5c and die essay in Black of 2c (not listed in Red)
2,750
1,600
Back to Top185
P
2c, 5c Norse-American, Large Die Proofs on Wove (620P1a, 621P1a). 33 x 30mm wove paper mounted inside die sinkage area of 152 x 202mm cards, typed "Approved February 10 (2c Feb. 17), 1925. Postmaster General." and signed in blue by Harry S. New, no control numbers on back, fresh and Very Fine set, these are reportedly from the sets presented to President Calvin Coolidge
1,700
1,600
Back to Top186
P
17c Black, Large Die Proof (623P1). 33 x 40mm on card, intense shade, small scuff well outside design, Very Fine appearance, for some reason this is no longer listed in Scott, previously it was priced at
1,000
350
Back to Top187
P
2c White Plains, Small Die Proof on Wove (629P2). H.r., bright color, Very Fine and rare, Power Search does not reveal another example
850
1,400
Back to Top188
P
2c Aeronautics, Small Die Proof on Wove (649P2). Very Fine and rare, we have not offered another example since our 1989 Rarities sale
900
750
Back to Top189
P
2c Rogers Clark, Small Die Proof on Wove (651P2). Beautiful bright color, Extremely Fine and rare, Power Search does not reveal another example
850
1,200
Back to Top190
P
2c Sullivan Expedition, Small Die Proof on Wove (657P2). Vivid color, tiny translucency at top, Extremely Fine appearance, rare with no other examples in Power Search
850
700
Back to Top191
P
2c Ohio River, Small Die Proof on Wove (681P2). Rich color, toning on back is not evident on front, Very Fine, rare
850
900
Back to Top192
P
2c Ohio River, Small Die Proof on Wove (681P2). Cut slightly smaller than the example in the previous lot, rich color, Very Fine, rare
850
500
Back to Top193
P
2c Von Steuben, Small Die Proof on Wove (689P2). Vivid color, fresh and Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples in Power Search
750
600
Back to Top194
P
2c Pulaski, Small Die Proof on Wove (690P2). Bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples in Power Search
750
600
Back to Top195
P
2c Yorktown, Small Die Proof on Wove (703P2). Even margins, rich colors, Extremely Fine, a rare proof of this popular commemorative, Power Search reveals three examples of large die proofs but no other small die proofs
750
1,400
Back to Top196
P
2c Arbor Day, Large Die Proof on India (717P1). On 148 x 199mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, black control number 70103 on back, slight card thinning below die sinkage area does not affect India paper, Very Fine and rare, accompanied by a plate block and a block of four of the issued stamp, the latter signed by the designer, Alvin R. Meissner, no other die proofs, either large or small, are found in Power Search, the Livingston collection contained only a small die proof, Scott Retail for the proof only
1,000
900
Back to Top197
P
3c Daniel Webster, Small Die Proof on Wove (725P2). Beautiful color, bright and crisp, Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples in Power Search
750
500
Back to Top198
P
5c Byrd, Small Die Proof on Wove (733P2). Bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.S.E. certificate, no other small die proofs of this issue appear in Power Search
650
1,900
Back to Top199
P
3c Mothers, Small Die Proof on Wove (737P2). Rich color, Extremely Fine, rare with no other examples in Power Search, with 1979 P.F. certificate
650
800
Back to Top200
P
3c Nicolet's Landing, Small Die Proof on Yellowish Wove (739P2). Deep rich color, Extremely Fine, no other examples appear in Power Search
650
1,100
Back to Top201
P
2c-3c Century of Progress, Small Die Proofs on Wove (728P2-729P2). Matched pair, beautiful colors and impressions, Extremely Fine, ex Altman and Livingston
1,300
1,600
Back to Top202
E
1920 H. L. Peckmore & Son, Plate Essays on Wove. Washington vignette with "Specimen" and "Postage" labels, block of four with imprint at bottom, part block of six (cut into on outer pairs) and six singles in different colors, most are gummed, Very Fine group
E. 300-400
250
Back to Top203
E
1915-1930's Issues, Photo Essays. Extensive collection on stock pages, more than 65 items, photographic essays of alternative designs from the Panama-Pacific Issue through 1930's commemoratives, groups include Washington Bicentennial, Lexington Concord, Mother's Day, Byrd Expedition, other commemoratives, sizes range from stamp size to much larger, some are accompanied by the issued stamps, Very Fine and fascinating collection worth review, we have seen some of these with dealer retail prices of $300 or more
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 2,000-3,000
4,000
Back to Top