Sale 1262 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 26-28 July, 2022
Category — Essays, Proofs and Specimens






VERY FINE. A RARE IMPRINT BLOCK OF 30 OF THE 3-CENT SCARLET PLATE PROOF ON CARD. VERY FEW MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN.
Our digital library contains a block of four and singles offered as parts of sets. The large imprint block offered here is truly remarkable. Ex Earl of Crawford. Scott value as five blocks of four and singles









VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE SET OF NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. 3-CENT LIBERTY SAFETY PAPER DESIGNS.
The Scott Catalogue began listing essays in its 1992 U.S. Specialized, and seven are confirmed to exist. This set is lacking only 79-E31e.
These beautiful essays are similar to the subsequent 1869 safety paper essays. Both of these sets are among the most beautiful and unique of all United States essays and proofs.


VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA PAPER.
This is a scarce set of blocks on India paper with both 15c types, including the scarcer 129P3 (Scott value $1,600.00 for that block alone)


VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A PARTICULARLY CHOICE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA PAPER.
Ex Middendorf.





VERY FINE. A RARE 10-CENT 1869 ESSAY WITH THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE VIGNETTE ENGRAVED BY JAMES SMILLIE, WHICH WAS ULTIMATELY USED FOR THE 24-CENT DENOMINATION.
This vignette is a miniature engraving by James Smillie, based on a painting by Trumbull which hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Contrary to popular belief, the scene depicted by Trumbull is not the signing ceremony, but the presentation of the draft. It has been written that the 30c stamp was changed from the Surrender of Burgoyne to the Eagle, Shield and Flags design to avoid offending the British. If true, it seems odd that officials would choose to use the Declaration of Independence "1776" design for the 24c stamp, which was far more likely to adorn mail to England (the basic rate was 12c).














