2c, 5c Norse-American, Small Die Proofs on Wove (620P2-621P2). Brilliant colors, fresh and bright

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED SETS OF SMALL DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1925 NORSE-AMERICAN ISSUE.

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 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. The other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size. One of the trimmed sets was given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The other probably went to Alvin Hall, director of the BEP. Today we know of a fourth set of small die proofs which Greg Manning Auctions sold on behalf of The Philatelic Foundation in 1973. Therefore, assuming the untrimmed proofs remain in that state, only three small die proofs exist of any of the 1925-34 issues offered in this sale. None of the sets described above remain intact. The small die proofs after Scott 737 (Mother's Day issue) offered in this sale were also produced by the BEP and are similarly rare, with between one and three of each known.

With 2019 P.F. certificates

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