1c Blue, Ty. V, Plate Proof
on India (24P3). Plate 9, horizontal pair, large margins to just in,
two thin spots, otherwise Fine and rare pair. Type V was created to address
spacing problems on the plate, which left no room for perforations on
earlier types I-IV. This proof pair beautifully illustrates the wider
spacing resulting from the erasure at sides
(Image)
3c Red, Ty. I, Plate Proof on
India, Brush Stroke Obliteration (11P3). Large margins to clear, bold
brush stroke, fresh and bright color, light horizontal crease along top
margin, otherwise Very Fine (Image)
3c Red, Ty. II, Plate Proof
on India (26P3). Plate 20, two singles, one large margins all around
and from top row of plate with frameline ending at top of design, small
thin spot, second has large margins to clear, two pencil marks in rosettes,
both have bright and fresh colors, both appear Very Fine (Image)
3c Black, Trial Color Plate
Proof on Stamp Paper (11TC5). Clear margins to just in, intense shade,
four unusual vertical pen lines, Very Fine and very rare trial color proof
(Image)
5c Red Brown, Ty. I, Large
Die Proof on India (12P1). 30 x 37mm, on card, beautifully fresh color
and crisp impression, clearly showing layout lines from the die, showing
unfinished state of the die with portions of the design impinging on
the ovalEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN TO US OF THE ORIGINAL BROWN LARGE DIE PROOF FOR THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. A GREAT RARITY AND A WONDERFUL SHOWPIECE.
Our examination of die and plate proofs for Scott No. 12 yielded some interesting observations. The large die proof offered here shows a portion of the design impinging on the colorless oval around the portrait. This can also be found on the large die trial color proofs and the Small Die Proofs (lots 1087, 1108 and 1167-1170). It is not found on any plate proofs, and so this extra portion of the design must have been removed prior to laying down the plate, from either the die or, more likely, the transfer roll.
Earl Oakley describes the four reliefs used during printing of the 5c 1856 in The Chronicle No. 45, July 1963 (pp. 14-18). The four reliefs can be distinguished from one another by distinctive marks in the colorless oval at top left. One possible theory is that after the transfer roll was made the extra portion of the design was removed from the reliefs on the transfer roll. This would explain the distinctive reliefs, which were caused by inconsistencies in the burnishing of the four reliefs on the transfer roll. (Image)
5c Black, Large Die Trial
Color Proof on India (12TC1). 39 x 48mm, on card, showing original
layout lines from the die, intense shade and perfect impression, small
scuff mark at top far from designEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ORIGINAL LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF FOR THE 5-CENT 1856. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINKELBURG COLLECTION.
Very little is known about the production and introduction of the 5c 1856. The large die proofs and trial color proofs have helped us to gather additional useful information. For a more complete explanation, see description for previous lot.
Listed but unpriced in Scott. Scott Retail for the more common plate proof on wove is $5,000.00 (Image)
5c Black, Trial Color Plate
Proof on Wove (12TC5). Large margins all around, deep shade, unusual
horizontal and vertical pen strokes used as either a "cancel" or
controlEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE TRIAL COLOR PLATE PROOF OF THE 5-CENT 1856.
For an explanation of the production of the 5c 1856, see lot 1086 (Image)
5c Black, Trial Color Plate
Proof on Wove (12TC5). Large margins to just clear, some toning at
bottom, pen strokes similar to previous lot have been expertly removed,
appears Very Fine, very rare, see lot 1086 for a more detailed explanation
of 5c 1856 production (Image)
5c 1856, Trial Color Plate
Proof on Wove (12TC5). Fifteen, wide range of colors and shades, each
identified by Finkelburg, incl. Olive Green, Hessian Brown (two, one cut to
shape), Rose Red, Rose Brown, Olive Bistre, Deep Orange, few others, most
have large margins, few small faults to be expected, all appear Very Fine,
an interesting and rare group (Image)