Shreves Philatelic Galleries, Inc. Sale

To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

StampAuctionNetwork Extended Features

ROOSEVELT PRESENTATION ALBUM

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1001

"Roosevelt" presentation album of small die proofs, a wonderfully intact and well preserved example of this presentation album, containing 24 heavy grey card leaves for a total of 48 pages, 34 of these pages contain the complete 308 small die proofs specially printed for these albums and representing all the non-revenue stamps from 1847-1902 including regular issues, commemoratives, special deliveries, postage dues, carriers, officials and newspaper stamps, plus six contemporaneous stamps for Cuba as a United States possession, the seven blank leaves in the back were apparently included to accommodate later issues, all bound in brown and maroon full leather with padded covers measuring approximately 12x7 1/2 inches, inscribed "United States Postage Stamps./1847-1902./Proofs." in gold stamping on the spine, on the front similarly gold stamped "Shelby M. Cullom", to whom it was presented, this album is in a remarkably nice state of preservation, the binding is intact, all the pages are crisp with undamaged corners and show their full gold gilding all around, the binding shows only the lightest wear which is very typical for leather of this age, the fragile interleaving sheets between the pages show some expert restoration, however they are also in an extraordinary state of preservation compared to most books where they are badly damaged or totally missing, a very fine and exceptionally choice example this rare book of proofs.These presentation albums get their name because they were produced during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. His Third Assistant Postmaster General, Edwin C. Madden, ordered the production of 75 albums in December of 1902, which he later revised to 85 albums. These were distributed to officials, dignitaries and friends. Of the 85 albums produced 53 were gold stamped with the name of the recipient. Shelby M. Cullom, to whom this album was presented, was the former Governor of Illinois and five-term Senator from that state, during which he received this album. He also served on the Smithsonian Board of Regents between 1885 and 1913. This album was part of an exhibition in 1999-2000 at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, which focused on Edward Madden's activities. The discussion and criticism that came from the distribution of these proofs resulted in a much more restrictive policy for the distribution of Post Office Department materials from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.Few albums of the original distribution have survived the practice of disassembling the pages and selling the individual proofs. It is speculated that maybe as few as 20 are still intact, but many of these have damaged covers, broken spines and worn or damaged pages. This is one of the very few that is in marvelous condition and certainly ranks among the finest available. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 40,000-50,000

SOLD for $37,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1002

230P-45P

#230P1-45P1, 1c-$5.00 Columbians, Columbian Exposition presentation album of hybrid die proofs on India cplt., presented to the French Ambassador to the United States from the President of the American Bank Note Company, a specially bound leather album with full dark blue morocco binding, page edges are gold gilded with each page being a large die hybrid proof for the sixteen values, unlike other die proofs, the proofs are oriented in vertical format on the pages which measure 152x227mm with each proof being die sunk, inscribed entirely in French throughout with gold stamping on the binding reading "Christophe Colomb/1492-1892" on the spine and "A Monsieur/Francois Aussaressess" and "D.E. Woodhull/President de L'American Bank Note Company" on the front cover, includes a title presentation page and each proof is preceded by a page naming the value, slight opening cracks to the spine, quite usual for old leather, a very fine and beautiful book; believed to be one of only five such books produced, this one in French being unique; accompanied by original dust case. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $5,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1003

230P1-45P1

#230P1-45P1, 1c-$5.00 Columbians, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on full size cards measuring 226x150mm, each proof inscribed with "American Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprint and die numbers from C-261 to C-275, plus C-302 for the later produced 8c value, all are beautifully fresh with deep rich colors, extremely fine; the die sunk proofs on India are much rarer than similar proofs printed directly on card, seldom are they found in such fresh and exceptionally choice condition, this being among the finest of this rare set available. (Image)

$12,300.00

SOLD for $9,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1004

230P1-45P1

#230P1-45P1, 1c-$5.00 Columbians, large die proofs on card cplt., beautifully fresh printed directly on large full size cards measuring 211x140mm, each with "American Bank Note Co. New-York.", imprint at bottom, all with deep bright colors, extremely fine; a lovely pristine set of this popular commemorative issue and it is doubtful that a finer set could be found. (Image)

$4,750.00

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1005

230P3-45P3

#230P3-45P3, 1c-$5.00 Columbians, plate proofs on India cplt., a fresh and attractive set, virtually all with large even margins, rich deep colors, 1c, 10c and 30c with typical small India thins, otherwise very fine-extremely fine. (imagea) (Image)

$2,075.00

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1006

230P4-45P4

#230P4-45P4, 1c-$5.00 Columbians, plate proofs on card cplt., each with mostly large margins, especially vibrant colors throughout, very fine-extremely fine. (imagea) (Image)

$1,435.00

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

1898 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPOSITION

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1007

285-E8-293-E7

#285-E8 to 293-E7, 1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippis, President McKinley presentation album of bicolor die essays, a black leather bound presentation album containing the large die sunk bicolor essays as they were intended to be issued, 198x143mm, front cover is gold stamped "President McKinley", some leather deterioration on the spine resulting from just opening the book, proofs are very fresh with excellent colors and very fine; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c, 4c and 50c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of 2c, 5c, 10c, $1.00 and $2.00; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver of 8c.This book, along with a similar Pan-American presentation album (see lot 1012), were stated to have been prepared for President McKinley to be presented at the Pan-American Exposition. That exposition opened on May 1, 1901. Several months later the President was shot on September 5, 1901 while in a receiving line at this very exposition and died eight days later. It is not known whether this book was presented to him at the Pan American Exposition or at the earlier Trans-Mississippi Exposition since control numbers were not yet being applied to proofs by the Bureau of Engraving to determine the date of production. These bicolor essays are some of the most attractive United States proofs ever produced. This lovely set has always been desirable and immensely popular with collectors, but this unique presentation album is a treasure in its own right. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $11,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1008

285P1-93P1

#285P1-93P1, 1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippis, special presentation book of large die proofs on India cplt., each die sunk on card, measuring 187x123mm, beautifully housed in full leather album with "Trans-Mississippi" and "John E. Stearns" gold stamped on the cover, this is one of the nicest presentation books we have seen, possessing a quality binding and each proof with a tissue overleaf, proofs are fresh and attractive with bright colors, even the leather covers show very little wear which is quite unusual, very fine; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c, 4c and 50c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of 2c, 5c, 10c, $1.00 and $2.00; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver of 8c. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $9,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1009

285-E8-293-E7

#285-E8 to 293-E7, 1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippis, bicolor die essays cplt., each is die sunk on 201x152mm full size card, beautifully fresh with only the back of the 8c and 50c cards having toning from the envelope that they were originally housed in, the fronts are immaculate with beautiful colors and extremely fine; this is actually an amazingly fresh set of full size Trans-Mississippi essays which are rarely found thus; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c, 4c and 50c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of 2c, 5c, 10c, $1.00 and $2.00; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver of 8c. (Image)

$3,125.00

SOLD for $2,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1010

285P1-93P1

#285P1-93P1, 1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippis, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on large cards measuring 197x146mm, beautifully fresh with deep colors, of special importance is that each is signed by the one of the three vignette engravers for the respective value, mounting hinges on reverse and couple of trivial tone spots on the 2c card, well away from proof, very fine and especially desirable as signed proofs which undoubtedly are unique; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c, 4c and 50c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of 2c, 5c, 10c, $1.00 and $2.00; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver of 8c. (Image)

$6,050.00+

SOLD for $6,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1011

285P1-93P1

#285P1-93P1, 1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippis, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on full size cards measuring 203x151mm, a select set with intense rich colors, faint impressions of tiny corner mounts and couple of light tone spots on a couple of low value cards, well away from proofs, very fine; an especially choice set being quite scarce on full untrimmed cards and also considering that most other sets are in decidedly inferior quality by comparison; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c, 4c and 50c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of 2c, 5c, 10c, $1.00 and $2.00; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver of 8c. (Image)

$6,050.00

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1901 PAN-AMERICANS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1012

294P1-99P1

#294P1-99P1, 1c-10c Pan-Americans, President McKinley presentation album of large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on cards measuring 197x144mm, mounted in leather presentation album identical to the presentation book of Trans-Mississippi bicolor essays that was presented to President McKinley (see lot 1007), only without his name gold stamped on the front, proofs and cards are all in clean excellent condition, leather binding has some deterioration of the spine and minor corner wear, a very fine and rare presentation book; the Bureau of Engraving and Printing started stamping control numbers on the reverse of die proofs around 1900; these numbers were recorded in ledgers listing the date, purpose for the printing and a general description of what was produced; the 1901 Pan-American Exposition issue is the first series of postage stamps to received such numbers (see appendix A at the end of the catalog for dates of control numbers); R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of all other values; control numbers in order of denomination 17737, 17930, 17914, 18024, 17949, 18029 (1901). It is believed that both this presentation album and the previous Trans-Mississippi bicolored essay album were prepared for President McKinley to be presented at the Pan-American Exposition. From the control numbers we now know that the proofs contained in this album were prepared in 1901 prior to the exposition and in plenty of time for the presentation book to be prepared for him prior to his assassination at the exposition in September, 1901. Whether the book was presented to him prior to the exhibition, or even during his fateful visit to Pan-American Exposition, is not known. Nevertheless, this book has a wonderful historical connection to an exposition that was so significant in the life and untimely death of this beloved President. (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1013

294P1-99P1

#294P1-99P1, 1c-10c Pan-Americans, presentation book of large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on cards measuring 197x146mm, mounted in quarter leather presentation album with fancy gold stamping and inscribed "Pan-American Postage Stamps/1901", each page with vellum overlay that has kept all proofs and cards fresh and clean, with bright colors, nine blank card pages in the back to add bulk to the book, leather binding has minor flaws on the spine, very fine and desirable in this presentation format; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of all other values; control numbers in order of denomination 15874, 16219, 16760, 16671, 16826, 10c no number (1901). (Image)

Est. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $2,400.00
Will close during Public Auction

1014

294P1-99P1

#294P1-99P1, 1c-10c Pan-Americans, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on full size cards measuring 203x152mm, a select set with strong deep colors, cards and proofs are exceptionally clean, back of 10c is toned from the sulfur content envelope it was originally housed in, tiny corner bends to the bottom right corner of each card, very fine and choice set; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of all other values; control numbers in order of denomination 15995, 16069, 16456, 16611, 17035, 17097 (1901). (Image)

$3,450.00

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1015

294P1-99P1

#294P1-99P1, 1c-10c Pan-Americans, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on full size cards measuring 202x152mm, another wonderfully choice set compared to the vast majority that one encounters, cards and proofs are bright and fresh with rich colors, few corners of cards are slightly rounded, very fine and exceptionally clean; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of all other values; control numbers in order of denomination 17758, 17861,17902, 18007,18230, 18214 (1901). (Image)

$3,450.00

SOLD for $1,900.00
Will close during Public Auction

1016

294P1-99P1 var.

#294P1-99P1 var., 1c-10c Pan-Americans, large die proofs on wove paper cplt., the special set of die proofs prepared for Franklin D. Roosevelt (see appendix B at the end of the catalog for other Roosevelt die proofs), this set, unlike most of the F.D. Roosevelt printings, was not printed on the cards that the proofs are mounted on, however everything is consistent with the Roosevelt printings, the proofs are on wove rather than India by virtue of when they were pulled and the cards are distinctive of Roosevelt proofs, apparently because these were remounted on these cards two control numbers, one for the frame and one for the vignette, are penciled on the reverse, rather than handstamped, and they are of the proper sequence for Roosevelt proofs of this period, also unique to this set is a small handstamp on the reverse "Ex. Roosevelt/Gimbles" rather than the normal Harmer's handstamp that is found on most Roosevelt proofs, the full size cards measure 203x152mm, all are fresh and attractive, very fine; this is a very special set that is not the normal die proofs that one usually sees of the Pan-American issue, not just because they were specially prepared for President Roosevelt, but because they are on wove paper rather than India, the set offered here and the Southgate proofs, which are not on card, would be the only sets of large die proofs of the Pan-American issue on wove paper that we are aware; R.O. Smith, designer; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of 1c; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of all other values; control numbers in order of denomination with frame number first 327380 and 327530, 327427 and 327487, 327339 and 327609, 327405 and 327647, 327513 and 327721, 327547 and 327689, (1933); ex-F.D. Roosevelt. (Image)

$3,450.00

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

1017

295P2 var.

#295P2 var., 2c Pan-American, small die proof on yellowish bond paper, an unlisted proof possessing about 2mm margins thus having the appearance of Panama-Pacific small die proof, but the paper is not wove and it is far too stiff for that issue, nor does it have the India paper of a large die proof cut down, and the paper and colors are far different from the Roosevelt proofs, colors are strong and the impressions have the clear detail of a proof impressions, very fine; this is the only example we have ever seen of this proof and is believed to be unique; R.O. Smith, designer; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver; ex-Rosenthal. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

1903 LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1018

323P1-27P1

#323P1-27P1, 1c-10c Louisiana Purchase, large die proofs on India cplt., die sunk on large cards measuring 194x148mm, exceptionally fresh and clean with only a trace of toning along the top edge of the 5c card, choice very fine; one of the few complete sets of large die proofs to make an appearance on the auction block; C.A. Huston, designer; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of the 1c; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of the other values; control numbers in order of denominations 132163, 132726, 133417, 134161, 134624 (1904) (Image)

$7,000.00

SOLD for $6,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1019

323P2-27P2

#323P2-27P2, 1c-10c Louisiana Purchase, Roosevelt small die proofs cplt., on card backing from the Roosevelt book, all are fresh with excellent colors, extremely fine; it may surprise some collectors that several sets which came out after the Roosevelt books were assembled, exist in the same kind of proof in size and paper, apparently it was intended that the books were to be kept up to date with new issues as they appeared, this plan evidently was discontinued with the restrictive policy that was adopted in 1904, nevertheless a few sets did reach collectors' hands, however that is where the similarity to the Roosevelt proofs ends because they are of the greatest rarity and greatly undercataloged, Clarence Brazer in an article speculated that "only a half dozen sets exist"; C.A. Huston, designer; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of the 1c; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of the other values. (imagea) (Image)

$3,750.00

SOLD for $5,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1020

323P2-27P2

#323P2-27P2, 1c-10c Louisiana Purchase, Roosevelt small die proofs cplt., another set of these rare proofs, these also appear to have been mounted in a Roosevelt book as the 5c has some small thins and has a slightly reduced margin at right, clearly on the same paper as the Roosevelt issue, strong deep colors, very fine-extremely fine; C.A. Huston, designer; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver of the 1c; G.F.C. Smillie, vignette engraver of the other values. (imagea) (Image)

$3,750.00

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

United States Commemorative Essays and Proofs