1c-90c 1861-66 Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (102TC4-111TC4). 50 total, complete sets for all five colors, large margins, bright colors, 1c Scarlet toned spot at top right

VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 1861-66 ISSUE DESIGNS. VERY FEW INTACT SETS ARE KNOWN.

The Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card were prepared for display at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta. Only one sheet of 50 in each color was printed. The sheets were somehow acquired by James A. Petrie of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, at the close of the exposition (along with the 1869 invert card proof sheets). Petrie claimed that he rescued the proofs just before they were to be burned. They were cut up into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, pairs and singles. These are often offered either by denomination or in other smaller groupings. It is difficult to assemble the complete set.

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