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20th Century Essays and Proofs

                                   Page last updated: 2-14-2011

 

The 1925 Lexington-Concord Collection
This is only time that all of these die essays and proofs have been offered as a single unit.
They were purchased one lot at a time in the Shreve auction of the W. Curtis Livingston Collection          of20th Century
Die Essays and Proofs held just after Washington 2006 last June. This is the largest accumulation of
Lexington-Concord essay and proof material offered as a single unit. A great foundation for a traditional
type exhibit on this issue. A once in a lift time opportunity.

The Lexington-Concord Collection is now complete with the recent addition of the Altman set of small die proofs. Everything that is known to exist is presented here.

$30,000.00

617-E1

Unfinished die essay on india paper and die sunk on card. Lacks the strong
shading in the foreground. (EP46-10)

618-E3

Die essay on india paper and die sunk on card. The adopted frame design
for the issued stamp. (EP46-13)
 

618-E1

Die essay on india paper and die sunk on card. This state is very close to the finished design
but lacking some shading. (EP46-15) 

618-E2

Unfinished die essay on india paper and affixed to card blotter. (EP46-11) 

618TC

Finished Black trial color die proof on india paper and die sunk on card. (EP46-14) 

617P1 – 619P1

Complete set of die proofs on india paper die sunk on card. Each proof is signed by PMG Harry S. New.
This set was presented by New to President Calvin Coolidge. Unique thus. (EP46-16)
 

617P1 – 619P1 Southgate Die Proofs

Complete set of die proofs on wove paper with each proof having the
Bureau proving room control number at the bottom.
This special set was produced for Hugh M. Southgate and is unique. (EP46-12)

617 - 619P2

This and one other small die proof set were produced at the same time as the "Southgate" die proofs. One set went to FDR and the other went to an "anonymous" individual. The "anonymous" set wound up in the hands of Sol Altman. His set set along with the rest of P2 collection was auctioned for the benefit of The Philatelic foundation in I believe the late 1970's. This is the Altman set.

 




 

295P1
Large die proof pulled on india paper and die sunk on full size card. Blue Bureau
control number on the back (16199).  A popular topic. (EP53-34) $575.00
 

295P2 Variety
Small die proof on yellowish bond paper and unlisted as such in the Scott catalogue. It is believed to be unique! Ex-Rosenthal and Livingston (EP47-05) $1,250.00

294 - 299P1 President McKinley Presentation Set
Complete set bound into a leather presentation album. This set along with a set of Trans-Mississippi die proofs were given to President McKinley. A unique piece of American presidential history. Provided above are a scan of the bound volume and the one=cent die proof. Ex-Livingston $9,750.00

301-E4
Preliminary drawing by R. Ostrander Smith of the right numeral 2 design as adopted. Unique. Ex-Brody $750.00

301-E5
Preliminary drawing by R. Ostrander Smith of the lower left and upper right design. Unique. Ex-Brody $700.00

303-E unlisted - 4c Grant
Photographic essay of unaccepted design on photo-sensitive paper.
Grant facing left, differences in frame. (EP 36-57) $500.00


319P1 Type I
2c Carmine second bureau large die proof on india paper die sunk on full size card. The proving room number on the back is 104375. A very rare proof. (EP39-2) $2,500.00


319iP2
Type 2 small die proof on wove paper which is different from the Roosevelt small die proof or Pan-Pacific proof paper. A rare piece. Ex-Livingston (EP47-06) $1,000.00

1907 Jamestown Exposition Bureau Engravings
These four engravings were printed in the government building at the exposition as part of the Bureau’s demonstration on printing money. $500.00

1908-09 Washington-Franklin Large Die Proofs Prepared for President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The following die proofs were prepared for President Roosevelt and were part of the 1946 H.R. Harmer sales of his collection. These are the only proofs of this issue that were prepared on wove paper.

 334P1var.
4c Brown die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 328989 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00

 335P1var.
5c Blue die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 328893 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00

 336P1var.
6c Red-orange die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 329285 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00

 337P1var.
8c Olive-green die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 329075 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00

338P1var.
10c Yellow die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 329157  on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00
 

340P1var.
15c Pale Ultramarine die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 329091 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00
 

341P1var.
50c Violet die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Bureau control number 328978 on back Ex-FDR, Livingston $1,500.00
 

367P2
Small die proof pulled on wove paper. Ex-Ainsworth, (EP53-36) $1,000.00 

372-E2 - Hudson-Fulton
The unique wash drawing by Marcus Baldwin for the Hudson-Fulton Celebration stamp. A superb example of 20th century postage stamp art. Ex-Bianchi. Mounted on his gold medal exhibition page. (EP50-38) $3,250.00

372P1 - Cut down
Die proof pulled on india paper which has subsequently been removed from the card blotter and cut down. Small thins on back resulting from the removal from the card blotter. Ex-Bianchi $995.00

372P1 Var. - Southgate die proof
A special die proof prepared for Hugh M. Southgate. The die proof was pulled on wove paper with the control number printed on the face (361814). Unique and a great 20th century proof, Ex-Caroline Prentice Cromwell $2,500.00

372P2 - From Roosevelt album
Small die proof pulled on wove paper and at one time was mounted in a Roosevelt album. It was subsequently removed from the page which resulted in small back faults (thins). Ex-Bianchi $955.00

372P2
Small die proof pulled on wove paper. One of two examples pulled at the time the Southgate die proofs were produced. $1,250.00

398-E1 - 2c Panama-Pacific
Government reproduction of the photo model. Tipped to the back of the card is a printed explanation of this essay. Underneath the tipped sheet is is a CDS in black, which reads: "Stamp Division, P.O. Dept,, Feb 21, 1912" (EP34-80) $150.00

397-E1 - 1c Panama-Pacific
Designer's model consisting of two photos, one for the outer frame and one for the vignette, overlaid to make a composite design with wash drawing of pal trees in background, and drawn in "1 Cent1" in white wash. "Approved July 16, 1912/Frank H. Hitchcock/Postmaster General". Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

400-E1 - 10c Panama-Pacific
Designer's model consisting of a single photo of wash frame and vignette with minor hand touch-up in wash. "Approved August 22,, 1912/Frank H. Hitchcock/Postmaster General". Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

400-E1var. - 10c Panama-Pacific
A very similar model to the one above with more extensive touching up. Approved by Bureau Director J. E. Ralph. Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

400-E3 - 10c Panama-Pacific
Designer's model on unaccepted design. Composite of two photos with "10 Cents 10" drawn in in white and black wash. Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

400-E4 - 10c Panama-Pacific
Designer's model on unaccepted design. Composite of two photos with "10 Cents 10" drawn in in white and black wash. Additional background highlights added with was. Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

400-E5 - 10c Panama-Pacific
Designer's model on unaccepted design. Frame photo with "10 Cents 10" drawn in in white and black wash. The central vignette is a wash drawing. Unique model Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

523-E3
Franklin vignette die essay on wove paper and die sunk on card. This is the second state and the finished state of the die. The name of the vignette engraver (Schofield) is penciled at the bottom of the front. The control number on the back reads: 837662. Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

537P2
3c Victory small die proof. One of three that were prepared when the
Southgate die proofs were pulled. The Scott value has not changed
in years and does not reflect the rarity of this proof. (EP57-31) $1,500.00

 537-E4
3c Victory in black and pulled on india paper and die sunk on card blotter. The incomplete
engraving lacks shading in the border and the flags are unfinished. It contains the
Bureau proving room number 936356 on the back. It is also is stamped: “Jun 25 1919”. Probably
a duplicate die based on the date and no doubt unique. (EP57-32) $3,000.00

 537P1
3c Victory untrimmed die proof pulled on india paper and die sunk on card blotter.
It contains the Bureau proving room number 937446 on the back. It is also
is stamped: “Jan 211919”. No doubt unique in this format. (EP57-33) $1,500.00

549-E
2c Pilgrim die essay on india paper and die sunk on full size card. The crosshatching is missing from behind the numeral "2's" at the bottom of the design.  The control number on the back reads: 1064274.  Ex-Livingston $2,000.00

549-E
2c Pilgrim die essay on india paper and die sunk on full size card. The crosshatching is missing from behind the numeral "2's" at the bottom of the design.  The control number on the back reads: 1064271.  Ex-Livingston $2,000.00

548P1 - Pilgrim Issue
1c Pilgrim large die proof on india paper and die sunk on full size card. The control number on the back reads: 106830.  Ex-Livingston $1,250.00

548 - 550P1 - Pilgrim Issue
The complete Pilgrim set of large die proofs on thick wove paper and removed from the card blotters. This issue is extremely scarce as large die proofs. The Livingston collection did not contain a set. (EP50-36) $3,000.00

551-E1

Die essay of the unfinished design for the half-cent value. The vignette is unfinished and the name label
at the bottom is blank. These die essays were pulled in eight colors that match the colors for eight other
values in the 1922-25 regular issue series. They are die sunk on card and have Bureau control numbers on the back. Each has a pencil notation in the bottom right hand corner that identifies the corresponding value for the color (i.e. 9c – Rose, 11c – light Blue, 20c - Carmine-rose, 2c - Carmine, and 6c Red-orange). Undoubtedly unique. Ex-Finkelburg and Livingston (EP47-02) $2,500.00 each. Please specify color desired.

644P1 - Burgoyne
Large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. The control number on the back reads: 71830. Ex-Livingston $1,000.00

649 - 650P1a - The President Coolidge set
2c and 5c Aeronautics, large die proofs on wove paper and die sunk on card and signed by PMG Harry S. New. The control numbers on the back read: 1146698 and 146709.  Ex-Livingston $2,750.00

  680P1a - Fallen Timbers
Large die proof on wove paper. This is special untrimmed proof prepared for Hugh M. Southgate as characterized by not being card mounted, and containing the Bureau control number on the front. Unique in this format. Ex-Livingston (EP47-10) $1,500.00

688P2
Small die proof on wove paper. This and one other small die proof were produced at the same time as the "Southgate" die proofs. One went to FDR and the other went to an "anonymous" individual. The "anonymous" example wound up in the hands of Sol Altman. This example along with the rest of his P2 collection was auctioned for the benefit of The Philatelic foundation in I believe the late 1970's. $1,250.00

718TC1 - 3c 1932 Olympics
Carmine trial color large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. This proof originally was pulled for the vignette engraver, John Eissler. It is the only trial color of either value of the Olympic stamps in private hands. The control number on the back: 70020. (EP44-23) $9,750.00


734P1 - 5c Kosciusko
Off card example of this large die proof on wove paper. Very scarce. Ex-Livingston (EP47-12) $1,250.00

734P1 -  5c Kosciusko
Large die proof on wove paper. This is special untrimmed proof prepared for Hugh M. Southgate as characterized by not being card mounted, and containing the Bureau control number on the front. Unique in this format.$2,000.00 

The Harry L. Peckmore National Parks Engravings prepared for H.L. Lindquist

Peckmore National Parks Engravings - Set of 10
Harry L. Peckmore prepared this engravings for H.L. Lindquist to use as a premium for subscribing to Stamps Magazine. This is a full size set, with each national park represented in it's corresponding stamp color. The set is mounted on 8 1/2 x 11 color paper, an punched to fit into a three-ring binder. The one-cent value is shown. We can provide scans of all ten values. A handsome set. $350.00

 

1934 National Parks Series

740-749P2 - National Parks
Thought to be the only set of small die proofs in private hands. Fresh brilliant colors throughout. A unique opportunity for the collector of National Parks stamps and postal history. Ex-Livingston (EP43-4) $9,995.00

744P1var. - 5c Parks
5c Yellowstone large die proof on stiff cream bond that is gummed. Undoubtedly unique. Ex-Livingston $1,250.00

746E Photo essay - 7c Parks
7c Arcadia archive photo essay signed at bottom by Esther Richards who submitted nine designs. EX-Johl $250.00

746E Photo essay - 7c Parks
7c Arcadia archive photo essay signed at bottom by A. R. Meissner who designed for the Bureau. EX-Johl $250.00

749E Photo essay - 10c Parks
10c Great Smoky Mountains archive photo essay designed by V.S. McCloskey, Jr and not used.  EX-Johl $250.00
 

746P1a - 7c Parks
7c Mt. Arcadia large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card.  Only the 1c, 3c, 7c, and 9c are listed in Scott as large die proofs. Undoubtedly unique. Ex-Livingston $2,000.00

748P1 - 9c Parks
9c Glacier large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. Only the 1c, 3c, 7c, and 9c are listed in Scott as large die proofs. Of the four this is the only one that is approved with the signature of the Acting PMG. A unique proof and the cornerstone of any National Parks collection. $2,750.00

862TC1 -  5c Louisa May Alcott
Dull Blue trial color large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. . This proof originally was pulled for the vignette engraver, John Eissler. This is the only die proof in this color. The control number on the back: 70039. Ex-Livingston (EP44-26) $1,500.00

898P1 - Coronado Expedition
3c Coronado large die proof on india paper and die sunk on card. Docketed on reverse: "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "JCB" (Brooks, who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 650505A and was pulled in 1940. This is the only example in public hands. Ex-Brooks, Livingston $1,500.00

902P2 - Thirteenth Amendment
3c Thirteenth Amendment, small die proof on wove paper. A great item for a Lincoln collector. Ex-Livingston (EP43-5) $1,250.00

909-921E - Frame for the Overrun Nations Issues
Large die essay on india paper and die sunk on card. The key item for an Overrun Nations collection. It has various approvals in ink on the face and several machine date approval hand stamps on the back. Ex-Livingston (EP50-40) $4,750.00

926P2 - Motion Pictures
3c Motion Pictures, small die proof on bond. A beautiful rare proof. Ex-Livingston (EP43-6) $1,250.00

934P1a - Army
Large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. Docketed on reverse: "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "Brooks" (who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 872885A and was pulled in 1945. Ex-Livingston (EP50-41) $1,500.00

968TC1 - Centennial of the American Poultry Industry
3c Poultry deep Carmine trial color large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "Fenton" (who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 957346A and was pulled in 1948. Ex-Livingston $1,750.00

972P1a - Indian Centennial
1948 Indian Centennial issue. Celebrates the centenary of the arrival in Indian Territory of the Five Civilized Indian Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole). A beautiful topical piece. Large die proof printed on wove and die sunk on full size card. Ex-Livingston (EP45-28) $1,750.00 

975P1a - Will Rogers
3c Will Rodgers large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. Signed by the vignette engraver on the face: Matthew D. Fenton. The control number on the back: 959030A and was pulled in 1948. Ex-Livingston $2,000.00

1012P1a - Centennial of Engineering
3c Engineering large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full size card. Docketed on reverse: "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "Fenton" (who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 91625B and was pulled in 1952. This is the only example in public hands. Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

1013P1a - Women in Our Armed Forces
3c Service Women large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on full side card. Docketed on reverse: "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "Brooks" (who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 92880B and was pulled in 1952. This is the only example in public hands.  Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

1052P1
One dollar Patrick Henry large die proof pulled on wove paper and die sunk on card. Bureau proving room number on back (174060B). Probably the only example in private hands. Ex-Livingston (EP48-35) $2,500.00

1067P1a - Armed Forces Reserves
Armed Forces Reserves large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. Docketed on reverse: "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and penciled "Brooks" (who was the vignette engraver). The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back: 165121B and was pulled in 1955. This is the only example in public hands. Ex-Livingston $1,500.00

1076P1a - FIPEX
3c FIPEX large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. It is signed by the frame and letter engraver, George A. Payne. The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back:180331B and was pulled in 1956. (EP44-31) $1,500.00

1081P1a Wheatland
The Wheatland large die proof on wove paper and die sunk on card. The "C" security punch has been taped back into place as is usually the case. The control number on the back:188915B and was pulled in 1956. Ex-Brooks, Livingston $750.00

1140-E - 4c Franklin Credo
Hand drawn model for the four-cent Benjamin Franklin Credo series stamp. Executed in red, blue and white ink on tracing paper by Frank V. Conley and signed by him. This model differs slightly from the accepted design. There is slight staining on the right half of the paper and some minor paint chipping. An incredible modern era model and undoubtedly unique. Ex-Livingston (EP47-14) $1,000.00

1178P1 Var. - 4c Fort Sumter
Large die proof on stiff yellowish bond and mounted on card. On the back in pencil: “Approved Die Proof”, handstamped: “Stock”, and the control number is written in ball-point pen. This was the second to the last Bureau produced die proof to reach public hands. A wonderfully unique item. Ex-Livingston (EP47-11) $1,750.00


 

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