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Volume VII - No. 3 - Whole No. 33
CONTENTS:
Beyond The Scott Catalogue
Our lead story...
Unique Set of 40-47TC Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proof Blocks Acquired
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40-47TC Complete set of Atlanta trial
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We were very fortunate to acquire this set at the APS StampShow in Columbus last month. The set is unique and took over 15 years to assemble. You can see the set in blazing color on the essay and proof page on our website.
Background on the Atlanta Trial Colors
The Atlanta trial color proofs were prepared for the 1881 Atlanta Cotton Exposition. The American Bank Note Co. was directed by the Postmaster General to produce in five colors (black, scarlet, green, blue and brown) impressions from each plate used to produce United States postage stamps from 1847 through the large banknotes. This also included the Carriers (Scott Nos. LO1 & 2), Newspapers (PR9-32), Postage Dues (J1-7) and the Officials. The proofs were to be used as part of the Post Office display at the Exposition.
At the end of the Exposition the sheets were said to have been rescued from a trash fire by notorious Phillipsburg, NJ dealer Dr. J. A. Petrie. Petrie did advertise the sheets around 1900. When Dr. Petrie did not find a buyer for the sheets they were broken into one set of blocks of eight, two sets of blocks of four, two sets of pairs and the balance was cut into singles.
The 1851 series (Scott Nos. 40 - 47TC) was produced from the reissue plates of 100 subjects. We know that the blocks of eight no longer exist as a set since the black block of eight of the one-cent issue (40TC), which was in the Finkelburg collection, was cut into two blocks of four to finish this set. According to Stanley Piller a few of the values are known to exist as blocks of four in the five colors. However, he said that many of the remaining blocks have been cut into singles.
Back in the late 1970’s I recall seeing pairs of one of the values in a Rasdale Stamp Company auction. These are the only pairs that I have seen and don’t know where they are today. It has been reported that the blocks of eight of the 1847 issue, which were once in the stock of Richard Taylor, have been cut into two sets of blocks of four. However, I have not been able to confirm this. A set of blocks of four of the Banknote issue has been broken and sold off by value by Bill Langs. We own the 90-cent blocks from this set. The Postage Due set may still exist as a set of blocks. The 1851 set of blocks offered here may well be the only set of blocks currently together and available to collectors.
We have had several inquiries about individual values from this set. It is our intention to first offer the set intact. If it fails to sell by December 1st of this year we will entertain offers for specific values. The price of the unique set is $40,000.00 If this set or a specific value is of interest please contact us at 800/696-8403.
Philadelphia National Stamp Exhibition On Sept. 19-21
The 2003 PNSE show is back at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA again this year. Show hours are Friday, September 19th, 11 AM to 6 PM, Saturday, September 20th, 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, September 21st, 10 AM to 4 PM. This is a APS World Series of Philately Show with over 4500 exhibit pages. It is one of the largest national level shows on the East Coast with over 50 dealers in attendance.
We've included a copy of the 3-day pass on page 12. You can show you copy of the newsletter at the registration desk and they will waive the six dollar, three day admission fee.
Our booth is number 14 and we will have our entire stock of U.S. essays and proofs, postal history and fancy cancels available for you. In addition we will have a nice section of U.S. philatelic literature.
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