2c-$60.00 1875 Issue, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs (PR9TC4-PR32TC4). Complete set of 120 proofs in all five issued colors in blocks of four, large margins to clear, rich colors, most with archival mounting tape on back of top proofs, few with toning, very few with small faults

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A PHENOMENAL COMPLETE SET OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE ATLANTA TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE 1875 NEWSPAPER ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY SET OF BLOCKS WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.

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. This is the only set of blocks we have encountered.

Scott value as singles

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