Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — Essays and Proofs: Presentation Albums
1847-94, Bank Note Companies, Two-Volume Presentation Album of Large Die Proofs. Two leatherbound presentation albums with deluxe hubbed spines, gold trim and slip cases, spines labeled "United States Postage Stamps Vol. I. 1847.-1894." and same title with "Vol. II. Department. Newspaper.", albums measure approximately 170 x 230mm and contain a proof of every face-different United States stamp issued from 1847 thru the 1893 Columbian commemorative issue, including back-of-book issues, Vol. I with 101 proofs and Vol. II with 116 proofs, all are large die hybrids on India, die sunk on card with full die sinkage, the proofs are in pristine condition with original page interleaving, some spine wear as always found on leather albums from this time period, mostly confined to Volume IIA RARE AND BEAUTIFUL SET OF BANK NOTE COMPANY PRESENTATION ALBUMS, CONTAINING A COMPLETE SET OF HYBRID LARGE DIE PROOFS FOR ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS ISSUED FROM 1847 TO1893. A WONDERFUL ARTIFACT OF THE ERA OF SECURITY ENGRAVING AND PRINTING.
Volume I contains four sections with 101 proofs. The latter three sections have title pages for the respective printers of the issues that follow: Toppan, Carpenter & Co., National Bank Note Co. and American Bank Note Co. The proofs contained in Volume I include, in order, the following issues: 1847 (as 1875 Reproductions), 1851 Government Carrier Issue, 1851-57, 1861-68 (including No. 73 Die II with star on cheek), 1865 Newspapers, 1869 Pictorial, 1870-73, Official Seals, 1880-88, 1890-93, 1893 Columbian, 1885-93 Special Delivery and 1879 Postage Due.
Volume II, with 116 proofs, begins with a title page for the Continental Bank Note Co. and includes 1875 Newspapers & Periodicals thru the $60.00 (incl. 1c PR81) and Officials complete (O1-O91).
Security printers' presentation albums were specially made for a variety of people, often potential customers or dignitaries. Most have been broken apart over the years for the value of the individual proofs; therefore, intact albums such as the two-volume set offered here are very rare.
Scott Retail for regular non-hybrid large die proofs (some issues only exist as hybrid proofs) would be approximately $72,000.00
