Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1909 Lincoln Centenary Issue
2c Black, Lincoln, Photographic Essay (367-E2). Photo of the No. 367-E1 essay, reduced to stamp size and retouched to highlight the hair and beard, with dates added, Very Fine and extremely rare if not unique, illustrated in Scott Catalogue
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Large Die Essay on India (367-E3). 75 x 88mm India paper die sunk on 148 x 201mm card, vivid color and striking appearance with significantly incomplete engraving of the entire design and date ribbon blank, light corner crease at bottom right of card and very top with some slight thinning where apparently a control number was removedVERY FINE. A UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE 1909 LINCOLN CENTENARY ISSUE.
Ex Livingston and Ainsworth.
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Large Die Proof on Wove (367P1 var). Die sunk on 153 x 202mm card, brilliant color, blue 329544 Bureau control number on backVERY FINE. A BEATIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1909 LINCOLN CENTENARY ISSUE, PREPARED FOR AND PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
This was a special die proof prepared for the stamp collecting President Roosevelt. It was lot 10 in the February 1946 H. R. Harmer sale of Roosevelt's collection. This and the Southgate proof offered in lot 1590 are the only known large die proofs of the 2c Lincoln on wove paper.
Ex President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Livingston. Scott value as normal large die proof
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Large Die Proof on India (367P1). Die sunk on 151 x 200mm card, blue typewritten "Approved January 18, 1909." and "Postmaster General" below die sinkage area, signed by George von L. Meyer, blue 342506 Bureau control number on back, carbon impression on back of a letter to Mrs. Saint Gaudens, widow of the artist whose bust served as the basis for the Lincoln stamp, some card toning along edges not affecting the India paper, appears Very Fine, a wonderful connection to the artist whose work formed the basis of the design, the perfect companion to lot 1594, Scott value as normal large die proof
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Large Die Proof on India (367P1). Die sunk on 151 x 193mm card, typewritten "Approved January 18, 1909." and "Postmaster-General" below die sinkage area, signed by George von L. Meyer, blue 342508 Bureau control number on back, Very Fine and scarce
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Large Die Proof on India (367P1). Die sunk on 151 x 200mm card, vivid color, blue 342285 Bureau control number on back, slight toning on the card only, still Very Fine
2c Carmine, Lincoln, "Southgate" Large Die Proof on Wove (367P1 var). 76 x 97mm and with blue Bureau control no. 361791 at bottom, rich colorVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE "SOUTHGATE" LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1909 LINCOLN CENTENARY 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. This proof comes from that set. The other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size.
Ex Southgate, Prentiss Cromwell, Livingston and Ainsworth. Scott value as normal large die proof.
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Small Die Proof on Wove (367P2). Brilliantly fresh and bright, Very Fine and rare, in 1903, 85 Roosevelt presentation albums were prepared and 75 were initially given away, the Lincoln Centenary issue was not released until 1909 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, Power Search failed to find another example of this proof since we started keeping computerized records 30 years ago.
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (367P2a). Deep rich color, very freshVERY FINE AND RARE PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOF OF THE 1909 LINCOLN CENTENARY 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 2c Lincoln Panama-Pacific proof is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records 30 years. We would be very surprised if five actually exist.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate.
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Experimental Thick Paper (367 var). Original gum, noticeably thicker paper with a slight bluish cast, wide margins, Very Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
1909 2c Lincoln Centenary Issue, Production Ephemera. Group of items related to the production of the 1909 Lincoln stamps, including Jan. 2, 1909 telegram from President Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Saint Gaudens, widow of the artist whose bust served as the basis for the stamp design, asking permission to use photographs of the bust for the stamp, also carbon copy of a Roosevelt letter on the same subject, handwritten letter of reply from Mrs. Saint Gaudens granting permission, White House letter to Postmaster General George von L. Meyer forwarding Mrs. Saint Gaudens' reply, signed by the Secretary to the President, copy of message from Roosevelt to Congress proposing a bill to make the anniversary of Lincoln's birth a federal holiday (small tear), finally photograph of the Lincoln statue and a postcard of it franked by pair of No. 300 (edgewear), a fascinating group
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2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by clearly struck "Springfield Ill. Feb. 8, 1 PM 1909" pre-First Day duplex datestamp and oval grid, additional lighter strikes to left on cover to Alton Ill., missing backflapVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. THIS PRE-FIRST DAY COVER IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN USE OF THE 2-CENT LINCOLN CENTENARY ISSUE, SCOTT 367.
The First Day of Issue for the 2c Lincoln was February 12, 1909. There are several pre-First Day dates known, including February 10 and February 11 offered in this sale. This February 8 date is the earliest known and we are not aware of any others.
Ex Landau
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by clear "Boston. Mass. Feb. 10 2:30 PM 1909" pre-First Day wavy-line machine cancel on cover to local address, some light staining on back only, Very Fine, the First Day of Issue for Scott 367 was February 12, 1909, there are probably fewer than ten covers known with this February 10 pre-date
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by clear "Boston. Mass. Feb. 10 6 PM 1909" pre-First Day wavy-line machine cancel on cover to Washington D.C., return address corner card at top left, receiving machine cancel on back of Feb. 11, missing backflap and minute tear above corner card, Very Fine, the First Day of Issue for Scott 367 was February 12, 1909, there are probably fewer than ten covers known with this February 10 pre-date
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by clear "Pasadena, Cal. Feb. 11 10 AM 1909" pre-First Day wavy-line machine cancel on cover to Stafford, England, return address corner card at top left, red manuscript "Special Lincoln stamp for Feb. 12" at bottom, receiving backstamp of Feb. 22 and flap sealed with part of a newspaper article reporting on frequent cruelty in Chicago, small bit of perf toning at bottom right, still Very Fine, the First Day of Issue for Scott 367 was February 12, 1909, Haber states that this is the only recorded overseas pre-date
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Rich color, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 11 9-30 P 1909" pre-First Day wavy-line machine cancel on cover to Scranton Pa., watchmaker and jeweler's label at top left, Feb. 12 receiving backstamp, Very Fine, the First Day of Issue for Scott 367 was February 12, 1909, there are probably fewer than 25 covers known with any pre-date, ex Ainsworth
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Four illustrated First Day of Issue postcards, two are stamped on front and tied by "Boston Mass. Feb. 12 10 AM 1909" circular datestamps and unaddressed, other two are stamped on the back with Lakewood N.J. and Chanute Kans. circular datestamps, addressed with messages related to Lincoln's 100th birthday, the beautifully illustrated and colored designs are each different, Very Fine group, Scott value $2,600.00
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2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Block of 20, tied to buff piece by multiple strikes of "Hoboken N.J. Feb. 12 1 PM 1909" First Day of Issue circular datestamp and grid duplex, couple small and insignificant faults, Very Fine, the largest recorded First-Day multiple, a full cover is known with a block of six
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by "Babylon N.Y. Feb. 12, 1909" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and grid on small Valentine cover to Milford Conn., with original Valentine enclosure, Feb. 12 receiving backstamp, Very Fine, this is reported by Haber to be the only recorded Scott 367 First Day Valentine cover, we have no way of verifying that, but based on the collection of more than 90 First Day covers offered in lot 1604, we do not doubt that statement
2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Tied by oval grid with "Ashton R.I. Feb. 12 11 AM 1909" First Day of Issue circular datestamp on cover to St. John, New Brunswick, with Canada 10c Blue Green, Special Delivery (E1), tied by segmented cancel and also tied by the Ashton circular datestamp (the 1885 treaty allowed the use of Canadian Special Delivery stamps from the U.S., and the stamp was affixed there), two St. John backstamps of Feb. 15, minor ink stain at top, Very Fine and a rare use, Haber reports this to be the only recorded Scott 367 First Day and Canadian Special Delivery cover, we have no way of verifying that, but based on the collection of more than 90 First Day covers offered in lot 1604, we do not doubt that statement
2c Carmine, Lincoln, First Day Cover Collection (367). Exceptional collection of more than 90 First Day covers plus a couple of fronts, organized by states, territories and a few foreign destinations, wonderful range with some illustrated postcards, covers franked with additional stamps, one with four No. 367, one with strip of three for triple-weight (front only) and another with 10c Special Delivery (front only), some flaws to be found but overall good condition with mostly fresh coversVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY HOLDING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1909, 2-CENT LINCOLN FIRST DAY COVERS. REPLICATING A COLLECTION OF THIS SIZE WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
We highly recommend reviewing the complete PDF scan of this collection, linked at our website. Scott value exceeds $45,000.00.
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2c Carmine, Lincoln (367). Six stamps including a pair, several with small faults, tied by "New York N.Y. Sta. O. May 8 2:30 PM 1909" duplex datestamp and oval grid on cover to Philadelphia, with "Fairfax United States Mail Chute System" imprint, sent via pneumatic tube to Penn Station and then by rail to Philadelphia, Very Fine appearance and scarce, accompanied by a 1c Green (331) on postcard with Chicago "N. Western Tube Sta." circular datestamp, also a pneumatic tube-carried cover during its transit in Chicago, Very Fine, for a brief history of pneumatic tube mail see the Smithsonian National Postal Museum website (https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/customers-and-communities-serving-the-cities-city-free-delivery/pneumatic-tube-mail )
2c Carmine, Lincoln, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. I (368). Tied by "Brooklyn N.Y. Feb. 12 5-PM 1909" First Day of Issue wavy-line machine cancel on Merrill-Ruckgaber-Fraser Co. corner card cover to the same 50 Church Street address in New York CityVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE FIRST DAY COVER OF THE 2-CENT IMPERFORATE LINCOLN CENTENARY ISSUE WITH U.S. AUTOMATIC VENDING CO. PERFORATIONS. ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED.
We record only three First Day Lincoln imperforate covers with private vending and affixing machine perforations, each with U.S.A.V. Ty. I perforations. All three were postmarked in Brooklyn on Feb. 12, 1909. On that date an advertisement was placed in The New York Times by Frederick Loeser & Co. stating that three vending machines would be selling the new Lincoln stamps in their Brooklyn N.Y. store. In addition to the three mentioned covers, there are only seven First Day covers recorded with the underlying Scott 368 issue.
Ex Getlan. The normal imperforate version catalogues $12,000.00 as a First Day. Scott value for U.S.A.V. perforated First Day
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Bluish (369). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 4978 block of six, rich color on deeply blued paperFINE-VERY FINE. A FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT LINCOLN ON BLUISH PAPER.
Mint N.H. full top plate blocks of the 2c Lincoln on Bluish are rare and typically off-center.