11-E4b-c, Gavit & Co., 1851 3c Orange, Dull blue and Red violet, three reduced die essays on india or bond, measuring approximately 20x23mm, wonderful impression and color, red violet a couple small thins, orange slightly oxidized, blue a tiny tone spot at top, overall Very Fine (Scott $1,200)
12TC5g, 1851 5c Deep orange, trial color plate proof on wove, bright color, clear to large margins, fresh and Fine; 1985 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $300)
13P1, 1855 10c Green, Type I, Large die proof on india cut down to stamp size as usual, shows layout lines around design at top, rich color on bright paper, Fine and rare as very few are known (Scott $5,000)
37P5, 38P5, 39P5, 1851/60 24c Gray lilac, 30c Orange, 90c Blue, Imperforate plate proofs on stamp paper, fresh colors, clear to wide margins including the 24c with bottom margin, without gum, 24c a light horizontal crease in the bottom margin approx 3mm below design, Very Fine and rare; Philatelic Foundation certificates for the 24c (2010), 30c (1952, 2010) and the 90c (1972, 2010) (Scott $7,500)rnAccording to Brookman, these 1860 imperfs originate from a trial printing of the finished designs which were submitted to the Postmaster General Joseph Holt for his final verdict. Unlike essays or trial color proofs, the designs and colors match those of the issued stamps. Just a handful of the 90c value exist imperforate. rnProvenance: "Rarities of the World" (R.A. Siegel, Sale 1185, June 2018)
39TC5, 1851 90c Issue, Trial color plate proofs in rose lake, dark green, and brown on wove, ample to full margins, dark green some very light bends, otherwise Very Fine (Scott $1,875)rnProvenance: Falk Finkelburg
41P3, 1875 3c Scarlet, Reprint, Plate proof on india, top left corner margin block of four still affixed on card, pos 1-2, 11-12, clear to wide margins, tiny moisture spot in top margin and in upper right proof, upper left couple small pressure marks, still F-VF (Scott $550)
40P4-47P4, 1857 1c-90c Reprints, Plate proofs on card, bright color and clear margins all around, a few with typical light soiling on back, Very Fine (Scott $425)
40P4-47P4, 1857 1c-90c Reprints, Plate proofs on card, bright color and crisp impression, each with h.r, 3c, 5c, 10c light creases, 3c has a couple tiny spots on face, Very Fine centering (Scott $425)
63-E11a, 1861 1c "First Design", "Premier Gravure" die essay on india in black, cut down to stamp size but will full balanced margins, small thin at top, Very Fine appearance (Scott $4,000 for full size)rnProvenance: Stephen Pacetti
63-E11e//71-E2b, 1861 1c/30c "Premiere Gravure" essays, comprised of 63-E11e in indigo, 65-E15f in red (margin single), 67-E9d brown and light brown, 69-E6d, and 71-E2b, a few small faults as often, otherwise Very Fine.(Scott $3,150)
65-E15h, 1861 3c "First Design", Finished "Premier Gravure" die essay in dim deep red on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, rich color, o.g., Fine sound example; 2016 PSAG certificate (incorrectly identifies as 65-E15b) (Scott $475)
65-E15h, 1861 3c "First Design", Finished "Premier Gravure" die essay in dim deep red on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, deep rich color, o.g., VG-Fine; photocopy of 2001 PSE certificate for the block from which this single originated (Scott $475)
65-E15h, 1861 3c "First Design", Finished "Premier Gravure" plate essay in brown rose on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, block of four, o.g., bottom right stamp NH, others l.h., fresh and F-VF, an impressive "First Issue" multiple; 2001 Philatelic Foundation certificate (identifies stamp as Scott 56) (Scott $1,900 as hinged singles)
65-E15h, 1861 3c Brown rose, Finished "Premier Gravure" plate essay on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, rich color, o.g., NH, Fine sound example especially in NH condition; 1990 Philatelic Foundation certificate (identifies stamp as Scott 56) (Scott $550 for hinged)
65-E15h, 1861 3c First Design, Finished "Premier Gravure" plate essay in brown rose on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, o.g., l.h., fresh and Fine (Scott $475)
65-E15h, 1861 3c First Design, Finished "Premier Gravure" plate essay in dim deep rose on semi-transparent stamp paper, Perf 12, gorgeous color, o.g., light soiling in top right corner, Fine, 2015 PSE certificate (Scott $475)
69-E3g, Toppan, Carpenter & Co., 12c Large die essay in violet on old proof paper, 1851 Die with border lines complete, Upper right rosette blank, 49x49mm, Very Fine and choice (Scott $1,000)
73-E3c - 73-E5c, 1861 2c, 5c, 3c Blue, Indian and Liberty designs, full pane of nine (three of each design/denomination) on yellow wove ungummed paper, small hinge thin in top selvage and light water stain in center, still Very Fine and rare essay from an unknown author (Scott $450 for singles)
66TC6, 1861 3c Lake, Trial color plate proof on gummed stamp paper, Perf 12, rich color and a crisp impression, o.g., h.r., Fine example of the trial printing; copy of 1960 Philatelic Foundation certificate for the block from which this stamp was taken (identified as Scott 66) (Scott $2,000)
66TC6a, 1861 3c Lake, Imperforate trial color plate proof on gummed stamp paper, pair, full to large margins, o.g., Very Fine and choice; 1990 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $1,850)
66TC6a, 1861 3c Lake, Imperforate trial color plate proof on gummed stamp paper, pair, exceptionally well centered and with deep rich color, full to large margins, o.g., barest trace of hinging, Very Fine and choice; 2016 PSE certificate (Scott $1,850)
70TC6, 1861 24c Dark violet on semi-transparent gummed stamp paper, Perf 12, deep rich distinctive "First Color", o.g., faint crease (not mentioned in cert), still a Very Fine example of this desirable trial printing; 1989 Philatelic Foundation certificate (identifies stamp as Scott #60, its old Scott number prior to moving to the proof section) (Scott $15,000)
63P4, 65P4, 68P4-72P4, 73P4a, 74P4, 76P4-78P4, 1861 1c/90c Issue, Plate proofs on card, includes the desirable 3c Scarlet (74P4), both shades of the 24c and the presentation envelope, fresh and Very Fine, a select set (Scott $1,185)
63P4, 65P4, 68P4-72P4, 73aP4, 76P4, 77P4, 1861 1c/90c Issues, Plate proofs on card, well margined with bright fresh colors, Very Fine and choice (Scott $1,035)
63P4-69P4, 71P4-72P4, 73P4a, 76P4-78P4, 1861/67 1c-90c Issue, Plate proofs on card, wonderfully well-centered set with brilliant colors, Very Fine and choice, includes the small envelope with printed "United States Postage Stamps/ 1861/ Proof Specimens" (Scott $535)
71P1 var., 1861 30c Orange, Large die proof on india, "Specimen" overprint, mounted on 146x196mm card with gray "SPECIMEN" overprint across stamp and full imprint in gray at bottom, few trivial foxing spots, Very Fine and scarce, from a National Bank Note Co. sample book (Scott $500 as normal die proof)
78P3, 1861 24c Lilac, Plate proof on india, bottom margin block of four with "No. 6 Plate" and "The National Bank Note Company City" imprint, some small faults upper left proof but still a Very Fine showpiece
79-E36a, 1868 Die essays on white glazed paper, in scarlet, dark brown, green and blue, about 36x44mm, each with thin spots in the top margin, fresh and Very Fine appearance (Scott $1,800)
112-E4d, 113-E3e, 114-E6d, 1869 1c-3c Plate essays on grilled stamp paper, perf 12, o.g., 1c (6), 2c (6 incl one without gum), 3c (7), each a different color, F-VF
113-E3e, 1869 2c Small Numeral, Plate essay on grilled stamp paper, Perf 12, in seven different colors, o.g., one NH, others o.g. or h.r., fresh and F-VF (Scott $560)
113-E3e, 1869 2c Small Numeral, Plate essay in violet on grilled stamp paper, Perf 12, block of four, o.g., two stamps NH, two l.h., fresh and F-VF (Scott $320)
114-E6d, 1869 3c Small Numeral, Plate essay in blue on grilled stamp paper, Perf 12, right margin block of twelve (4x3), rich color, somewhat glazed o.g., VG-VF (Scott $960 as singles)
114-E6d, 1869 3c Small Numeral, Plate essay in dull violet on grilled stamp paper, Perf 12, block of four, o.g., fresh and F-VF (Scott $320 as singles)
114-E6d, 1869 3c Small Numeral, Plate essay on grilled stamp paper, Perf 12, in five different colors, o.g., one NH, others part o.g., or h.r., one with small edge break lower left, otherwise F-VF (Scott $400)
115-E1c, 1869 5c Orange, Die essay on proof paper, 115-E1c, 1869 5c Orange, Die on proof paper, 22x22mm, small inclusion at left, a couple tiny thin specks, Very Fine appearance (Scott $600)
115-E2c, 1869 5c Red brown, Plate essay on wove, block of four on gummed paper, bottom pair NH, top o.g., ample to large margins, Very Fine (Scott $320 as singles)
116-E1c, 1869, 10c Lincoln, Complete die essay in red violet on india, 53x67mm, removed from card, trivial india paper flaws, fresh and Very Fine (Scott $1,100)
116-E1c, 1869, 10c Lincoln, Complete die essay in green on india, 52x62mm, removed from card, National Bank Note Co imprint at bottom, fresh and Very Fine (Scott $1,100)
116-E1c, 1869, 10c Lincoln, Complete die essay in deep red on india, 63x66mm, removed from card, National Bank Note Co imprint at bottom, couple shallow thin spots, Very Fine appearance (Scott $1,100)
116-E1c, 1869, 10c Lincoln, Complete die essay in orange on india, 54x65mm, removed from card, National Bank Note Co imprint at bottom, bright color, shallow thin spots at top, Very Fine appearance (Scott $1,100)
116-E4, 1869 10c Orange, Large die essay on india die sunk on 93x103mm card showing full die sinkage, thin shading lines behind "States", National Bank Note Co embossed seal and imprint below design, Very Fine and choice, rare in orange and with the NBN Co seal (Scott $1,500)
121-E1a, 1869 30c Burgoyne, Die essay on india, Die sunk on card, eight different colors, about 85x70mm each, five with National Bank Note Co imprint below design, one with a small mounting spot at upper right corner, otherwise fresh and Very Fine (Scott $6,400)
121-E1f, 1869 30c Burgoyne, Red orange large die essay on proof paper, 37x42mm, National Bank Note Co imprint at bottom, usual paper irregularity, Extremely Fine (Scott $500)
121-E1q, 1869 30c Black, Plate essay on india, upper right corner margin pair, tiny 2mm crease at left and tiny internal crease in right selvage, overall Very Fine and attractive (Scott $600 as singles)
122-E4a, 1869 90c Dark navy blue and black, Lincoln die essay on india, vivid colors, vignette mounted in place as always, well-margined, choice Very Fine (Scott $3,000)
112P3-122P3, 1869 1c-90c Pictorials, Plate proofs on india (stamp size) mounted on large card with tissue paper overlay (175x225mm) bound (1c-2c values have become loose) in a special presentation album, hard bound with gold lettering "Proofs - United States Postage Stamps Series of 1869 Engraved by the National Bank Note Company", minor toning, book with some slight scuffing along the spine, F-VF
145P3-155P3, 1870-71 1c-90c National Bank Note Co Issue, Plate proofs on india, fresh colors, some usual minor india paper flaws or tiny thins, 6c, 10c tight margins, otherwise F-VF (Scott $311)
164P3, 1873 24c Violet, Plate proof on india, block of four with intense color, tiny edge break at top right just into design, o/w Very Fine (Scott $225)
164P4-166P4, 1874-75 24c-90c Continental Bank Note, Plate proofs on card, group of 12 plate proofs, 164P4 (5) in differing shades, 165P4 (3), 166P4 (4), most with hinges on reverse and pencil notations, Very Fine to Extremely Fine (Scott $370)
210E, 1883 2c Red brown on honeycomb paper, bottom plate no and imprint block of twelve "No. 554" bottom, o.g., NH, thin preprinting paperfold ending in a small tear in the 3rd stamp, VG-VF, a rare block
205P4-211P4, 213P4-218P4, 1879/82 1c/90c Issues, Plate proofs on card, complete less the rare 212P4, ample to large margins, fresh and F-VF (Scott $485)
224TC5, 1890 6c Garfield, Imperforate trial color plate proofs in deep orange, violet black and red brown on gummed wove, bottom margin pairs, violet black with plate "No. 23", others with part imprint, o.g., deep orange and violet black NH, fresh and F-VF (Scott $720 as hinged singles)
224TC, 1890 6c Garfield, Plate proofs on wove, blocks of four in red orange, slate green and olive green, pairs in yellow (full bottom margin with part imprint), violet black, orange red and brown olive, all ample to large margins, a few trivial faults, generally fresh and Very Fine (Scott $2,400)rnProvenance: Falk Finkelburg
219P3, 221P3, 223P3, 224P3, 1890 1c/6c American Bank Note Co Issue, Plate proofs on india, blocks of four, 3c small break between bottom proofs, 5c vertical crease in the right margin, 6c some light wrinkling, F-VF (Scott $540)
219P4, 219DP3, 220P3-229P3, 1890-93 1c-90c Bureau Issue, Plate proofs on india, (1c on card), blocks of four, 8c with part imprint at top, fresh and Extremely Fine (Scott $3,375)
219P4-229P4, E1P4-E3P4, 1890/93 1c-90c ABN Co Issue, Plate proofs on card, includes 219DP5 pair, 226P5 margin single (o.g.), well-margined, fresh and Very Fine (Scott $1,240)
219P4-229P4, 1890/93 1c-90c ABN Co Issue, Plate proofs on card, the full set including both shades of the 2c, all with large balanced margins and bright colors, 219D thinned, still a Very Fine set (Scott $785)
227P5, 1890 15c Indigo, Imperforate plate proof on stamp paper, pair, intense color, o.g., l.h., Very Fine and choice; 1988 Philatelic Foundation certificate (identified as 227a) (Scott $625)
230P1-245P1, 1893 1c-$5 Columbians, Larger die proofs on india printed directly on approximately 45x35mm card, rich colors, fresh and Very Fine (Scott $7,000)
230P3, 232P3-245P3, 1893 1c/$5 Columbians, Plate proofs on india, complete set less the 2c value in blocks of four with the 10c and 15c right margin imprint blocks and the $5 a lower right corner margin block with "DD", brilliant colors, several (incl 233, 242-44) with the typical minor paper wrinkles and/or thin spots normally found on this fragile india paper with the $5 being completely sound, generally F-VF with many Very Fine, blocks of the india paper proofs are quite scarce (Scott $17,650)