5c Red Brown, 10c Black, Reproduction, Plate Proofs on Card (3P4-4P4). Complete sheets of 50, each with huge outer margins, 5c shows edges of the plate on three sides, 10c shows edges of plate on all four sides, 10c lacking the plate scratches seen on the complete sheet on India paper offered in our 2013 William Gross sale, 5c shows plate scratches between Positions 31 and 41, which are also present on the India paper sheet, 5c minor corner bend at bottom right, few adherences on back of little consequence

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SET OF SHEETS OF 50 OF THE 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1875 REPRODUCTION PLATE PROOFS ON CARD.

Clarence Brazer discussed the 1847 Issue essays and proofs in a 1947 Essay-Proof Journal article, which was reprinted as a monograph. The extensive plate scratches found on the 10c India sheet offered in our 2013 Gross sale (Siegel Sale 1041, lot 23, realized $62,500 hammer) are not found on the stamps printed in 1875 nor on the cardboard proofs produced between 1879 and 1893.

Brazer estimated in his 1947 article that "probably five or six pairs of sheets of 50 plate proofs on cardboard are known." We do not know the basis for Brazer's estimate, but we have been able to locate only one other set, offered in our 1983 and 1987 Rarities sales.

From a Nov. 20, 1978 Sotheby's sale and ex Creighton Hart. Scott Retail as blocks of four and singles.

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