| U.S. Newspaper Stamps - 1865 Issue - Essays, Proofs and Specimens |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Lot 1001 |
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E
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ large die essay, in blue on wove (PR1E), without "National Bank Note Company, New York" imprint at the bottom, 168 x 94mm showing full size of the working die (120 x 62.3mm), bold impressions of two screws which held the die to the press bed, unfinished corners light soiling at top of essay, two small thins at bottom, well below design Very Fine unlisted in Brazer or Scott.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
A UNIQUE ESSAY AND A MOST IMPORTANT ITEM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1865 NEWSPAPER ISSUE.
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
The six finely scribed lines around the design are distinctive for the 1865 large die essays and trial color proofs, as first described by Barbara Mueller in her article in the Proof and Essay Journal, No. 167, pgs. 102-118. The scraping at top of the die by the screw hole is identical to the later large die trial color proofs, proving this essay to be an earlier stage of the working die because of the missing Bank Note imprint, later added. This essay additionally displays the correct color of the stamp, making it a direct forerunner of the issued stamp. Consequently, we believe that the proper Scott number for this item sould be PR1-E1.
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Lot 1002 |
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E
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ large die essay, in dark blue on wove (PR3E), on 210 x 94mm, intense dark color, without the inscription "National Bank Note Company. New York" at bottom of design, printed on the a piece of scrap paper which was previously printed on the back side with part of an insurance form in black ink and a financial statement for the Niagara Fire Insurance Co. in purple ink Very Fine unlisted in either Scott or Brazer.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
Provenance: Hind, Earl of Crawford
A 5¢ "Package" Essay in red (Brazer QAEb, Scott PR1-E1b var.) bearing the bust of Franklin and printed in a similar fashion on the back of an insurance form was in the Y. Souren collection sold by Harmer, Rooke in 1952. The package essays, however, featured a bust of Benjamin Franklin. This essay, probably done in late July or early August of 1865, is the earliest stamp design bearing the portrait of President Lincoln, more than six months earlier than the 15¢ regular issue (Scott no. 77) which appeared in early 1866.
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Lot 1003 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ black, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 120 x 64 mm complete strike of full original die; six fine ruled lines around all borders of the stamp, die impression clearly showing mounting holes for the die at top and bottom small sealed tear lower right otherwise Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1004 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ green, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 143 x 66mm clearly showing the abrasion at top received by die from screwing it to and unscrewing it from the press bed; unfinished corners and six finely scribed lines around the design as always Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1005 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ red, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 142 x 66mm, intense rich color and impression, clearly shows the damage to the working die at top choice Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1006 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ ocher, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 142 x 66mm, beautiful bold color and full impression of the entire working die with the screw holes at top and bottom to attach to the press bed Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1007 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ ocher, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 142 x 66mm clearly showing die abrasion at top from the mounting and dismounting of the die on press with screws, beautiful bright color tiny mounting stain at top, well away from design, couple natural paper specks at left Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1008 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ red brown, trial color large die proof on wove (PR1TCP1), 153 x 75mm, intense color trivial tiny mounting stains in upper left Very Fine and unique unlisted in Scott or Brazer.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1009 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ black, trial color large die proof on wove (PR2TCP1), 142 x 65mm showing full impression of the die, six fine scribed lines in white area around stamps and distinct unfinished corners light horizontal crease, 13mm sealed vertical tear at bottom, small mounting remnants otherwise Very Fine unlisted in Scott; a unique proof.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1010 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ deep dull blue, trial color large die proof on wove (PR2TCP1), 96 x53mm with full design and portions of the six scribed lines on all sides, reduced compared to full size proofs of 1865 insignificant tiny toning spots at bottom otherwise Very Fine and still of the highest rarity in the development of the 1865 issue.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
Provenance: Warm-Griffiths
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Lot 1011 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ brown red, trial color large die proof on wove (PR2TCP1), 96 x 54mm full impression of design with portions of the six scribed lines at left, bottom and right; slight blurring of design in right margin ("dragging" in the Mueller article in the Essay-Proof Journal) horizontal crease, tiny cut top margin, reduced otherwise Very Fine unique trial color die proof in this color.
Estimate 500 - 750
Provenance: Warm-Griffiths
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Lot 1012 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ red brown, trial color large die proof on wove (PR2TCP1), 96 x 53mm full design with unfinished corners, portions of the six scribed lines on all sides; clearly shows coloring in the top numbers and letters of design reduced from its full size still Very Fine considering the rarity unique in this color.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
Provenance: Warm-Griffiths
This example displays the coloring in top numbers and letters due to the great pressure the press exerted to produce the die proofs.
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Lot 1013 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ black, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 145 x 66mm showing the full size of the original die and mounting holes on the die for attaching it to the press, manuscript "129" at bottom, unfinished corners as always on these horizontal crease at center, small corner crease upper right corner, away from design, tiny hinge thins and mounting stains otherwise Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1014 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ carmine, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TC1), 149 x 62mm, gorgeous color and deep impression choice Very Fine and unique unlisted in Scott as the Scott listing is for a hybrid large die proof.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
Although this was printed at the same time as the trial color large die proofs, the example offered here is in the issued color of the stamp. Thus we can designate it as a regular large die proof of the issue rather than as a trial color. This is consistent with the article written in the Essay-Proof Journal by Barbara Mueller.
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Lot 1015 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ yellow, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 129 x 73mm with deckle edges at top and bottom, gorgeous color faintly soiled on left "2" of "25", mentioned for accuracy only Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1016 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ dark blue, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 149 x 70mm, superb impression tiny mounting stains edges of upper left and upper right corners Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
THE INCREDIBLE IMPRESSION OF THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE ALLOWS US TO SEE THE SMUDGES OF COLOR THAT WERE PICKED UP IN THE INTERIORS OF THE LARGER COLORLESS AREAS.
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1017 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ deep dark blue, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 149 x 73mm with full strike of original die, glorious, intense color in a markedly deeper shade than the previous lot, die impression clearly shows mounting holes where the die was screwed onto the press tiny mounting stains in corners, mentioned for accuracy only choice Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1018 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ reddish brown, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 127 x 73mm with deckle edges top and bottom, clearly showing the mounting holes for the die, unfinished corners and the six fine lines around the stamp tiny tear right margin only still Very Fine and unique.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1019 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ brown, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 96 x 53mm reduced with unfinished corners and portions of the six scribed lines visible on all sides natural paper inclusion in cheek, small hinge thin top still Fine appearance.
Estimate 500 - 750
UNIQUE LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF IN THIS COLOR.
Provenance: Warm-Griffiths
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Lot 1020 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ green, trial color large die proof on wove (PR3TCP1), 149 x 70mm, outstanding bright color, full impression of the die block tiny mounting stains top corners only Very Fine and unique unlisted in Scott or Brazer.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
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Lot 1021 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ trial color plate proofs on wove (PR2TCP3-PR4TCP3), complete set of top imprint and plate number strips of three in all four listed colors: black, blue, lake, and blue green, mounted on exhibition pages two 25¢ strips with small selvage fault in the top margin still Very Fine.
Scott $2,520
EXCEPTIONAL HIGH QUALITY PLATE MULTIPLES OF AN ISSUE NOTORIOUS FOR BEING PRINTED ON VERY POOR QUALITY PAPER.
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Lot 1022 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ trial color plate proofs on cream wove (PR2TCP3-PR4TCP3), complete set of three values, each in the four listed trial colors, mounted on two exhibition pages; four copies with Bank Note co. imprints and four with plate numbers seven with small thin spots, a 10¢ with a small tear at top otherwise Very Fine appearance uncommon complete set, in much better condition than most.
Scott $840
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Lot 1023 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ lake, trial color proof on cream wove (PR4TC3), complete pane of ten, beautiful rich color with imprint and plate number at top mounted on original exhibition sheet pinhole in upper right stamp, small selvage faults at left and right typical of the poor quality of paper used by the printer still Very Fine uncommon and desirable.
Scott $420
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Lot 1024 |
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P
Newspaper, 1865, 5¢ dark blue, large die proof (PR1P1), 103 x 59mm die proof in the issued color, unfinished corners and scribed lines around the design; this is believed to have looked like all other trial color large die proofs with the attached screw holes, but it has been cut down, still in the issued color of the stamp Very Fine and very rare unlisted and unpriced in Scott.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
Provenance: Warm-Griffiths
The identification and numbering of these die proofs is consistent with Barbara Mueller's article in the Essay-Proof Journal. Until she identified the PR1P1 as a large die proof, this item was considered only a trial color.
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Lot 1025 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ hybrid large die proofs (PR2P1-PR4P1), attractive set of hybrid large die proofs from the original dies with the six fine ruled lines outside the outer frame, approximately 145 x 105mm, signed by the engraver, Edmund Oldham and initialed by the designer, James MacDonough the 10¢ has a small sealed tear in the card at bottom away from the proof still choice Very Fine a very rare set, still mounted on the original pages from the Earl of Crawford collection, Cat. $1,725.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500
Provenance: Earl of Crawford
The Scott catalog listings for large die proofs are for these hybrid proofs.
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Lot 1026 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ hybrid large die proofs (PR2P1-PR4P1), complete set in issued colors mounted on gilt-edged pages from a presentation album insignificant toning at the edges of each page. still Very Fine and desirable.
Scott $1,725 as normal large dies
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Lot 1027 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ small die proofs (PR2-4P2), complete set still mounted on the original grey cardboard from a "Roosevelt" presentation album 25¢ mounting card has a small thin not affecting the proof itself Very Fine only 85 sets were prepared in 1903.
Scott $675
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Lot 1028 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ "make-up" plate proofs on wove (PR2P3-PR4P3 var.), bottom imprint and plate number strips of three a wonderful set of multiples a couple of small thins and reinforced margin tears considering the rarity of these items still Very Fine.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE WORK-UP PLATE PROOFS.
Each stamp has circled areas in pencil to indicate to the printer those areas which needed to be "made-up", i.e. reworking the printing technique to improve each plate's impression; each shows on the reverse the impression of the pencil in the color of the stamp indicating that these pencil strokes were made while the proof sheets were still on the press.
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Lot 1029 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865 and 1875 issues, plate proofs on card (PR2P4-PR7P4), two sets, one the 1865 shades, second the darker Reprint shades Very Fine an excellent comparison set of the two printings.
Scott $360
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Lot 1030 |
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P
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ plate proofs on card (PR2P4-PR4P4), a set of complete uncut sheets of twenty with the 10¢ and 25¢ sheets clearly showing the horizontal cutting line to separate each sheet into two panes of ten, the 5¢ sheet shows the broken double lines between the two panes; the 10¢ and 25¢ have small corner missing lower right, well clear of the stamps; exceptionally fresh and bright colors with the 10¢ sheet showing the impression of the screw that held the plate on the press.
Scott $3,960
Provenance: Y. Souren
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Lot 1031 |
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S
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ with manuscript "adopted" overprints (PR1-PR3 var.), unusual complete set of the 1865 issue well centered with fresh colors 5¢ with tiny perf cut at upper right, 10¢ with light crease, still Very Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
THE ONLY RECORDED SET WITH THIS MANUSCRIPT OVERPRINT, A MOST UNUSUAL SORT OF SPECIMEN.
Provenance: Braceland
J. Frank Braceland claimed that these stamps were the first printed examples of the 1865 issue, and the writing was that of the Postmaster General or the engraver, indicating the acceptance of these stamps by the Post Office Department.
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Lot 1032 |
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S
Newspapers, 1865, 5¢-25¢ with red manuscript "Specimen" overprints (PR1SC-PR3SC), without gum as issued 5¢ and 25¢ have small sealed tears otherwise F.-V.F. appearance a most unusual set "Specimen" overprints, unlisted in Scott.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
Provenance: Braceland
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Lot 1033 |
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S
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ blue green, overprinted "Specimen", type C (PR2SC), with blue 29 x 23mm double oval "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK JUN 24 1865" handstamp, beautiful color; most probably a presentation single without gum as issued tiny insignificant corner crease upper left Very Fine.
Scott $400+
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Lot 1034 |
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S
Newspaper, 1865, 10¢ blue green, overprinted "Specimen" (PR2SC), block of four with type "C" Specimen overprint scissors-cut perfs at top, left and bottom; beautiful color and freshness without gum as issued light vertical creases in the lower left stamp still Fine.
Scott $1,600
THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE.
Provenance: Braceland
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Lot 1035 |
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S
Newspaper, 1865, 25¢ orange red, manuscript "Specimen" and "A.N.Z." (PR3S var), "A.N.Z." were the initials of the Third Postmaster General, Alexander N. Zevely without gum as issued without gum as issued, small corner crease and tiny pinhole Very Fine.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE.
Expertization: 1987 P.F. Certificate.
The letters regarding the development of the 1865 Newspaper and Periodical stamps, illutrated in an Essay-Proof Journal article by George Brett, were sent from the National Bank Note Co. to 3rd Assistant Postmaster Zevely beginning in July of 1865. Since Zevely was directly responsible for approving the designs for these stamps, it seems plausible that he would have marked a single with the word "Specimen" and signed his initials as an indication of his approval of the stamp and its design.
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