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

United States Commemorative Essays and Proofs continued...

1940-1943 COMMEMORATIVES continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1261

907P2

#907P2, 2c Allied Nations, small die proof on bond, measuring 25x28mm, pristine proof with brilliant deep color, extremely fine and attractive; a very rare proof; Leon Helguera, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $525.00
Will close during Public Auction

1262

908P2

#908P2, 1c Four Freedoms, small die proof on bond, measuring 25x28mm, attractive proof, pinhead abrasion in left margin, choice very fine; another very rare proof; Paul Manship, designer; Carl T. Arlt, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

1943-1944 OVERRUN COUNTRIES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1263

909-21-E

#909-21-E, 1943-44 5c Overrun Countries, large die essay on India, die sunk on large full size card measuring 227x151mm, this essay consists of the completed violet engraved frame that was used for all the different issues of this series, the different nations flags and inscriptions in various colors were lithographed, inscribed at the top of the die is number "84075" and "United States of America" at bottom, this is an American Bank Note Co. approval proof, three different individuals put their manuscript approval notations on the front, as well as several receipt and approval handstamps and notes on the reverse, security punch hole in the white part of the design, this essay seems to have received a fair amount of handling in its approval rounds causing light blemishes and minor soiling to the card, the India has a couple of light corner creases well away from the design, very fine; it is quite certain that this is the only example of this engraving essay in private hands; an extraordinarily important essay of the Overrun Countries series and a must for anyone building an exhibition collection of this increasingly popular and interesting issue. (Image)

Est. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $2,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1264

909-E to 921-E

#909-E to 921-E 1943-44 5c Overrun Countries, official photographic essays of the American Bank Note Co., fifteen different stamp-size photos mounted on heavy brown manila page from the company archives, these are photos of artwork of twelve of the adopted designs, Poland as issued is not present, but two examples of that country have different coat of arms in upper portion of the flag, one crossed out, the other with "Coat of Arms out" penciled below indicating that was the adopted design with that change, also an additional Czechoslovakia photo crossed out with a different shaped flag, each has the order no. "3781" and a different date in 1943, apparently when the work was completed (Netherlands has different order no. 21524), accompanied by a 1962 carbon copy of a list of eleven of these from the superintendent of the Steel Engraving Department to the General Manager of the Engraving Department, very fine; a fascinating and rare page from the photo book of the American Bank Note Co. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1265

909P1a-21P1a

#909P1a-21P1a,1943-44 5c Overrun Countries, large die proofs on wove paper cplt., die sunk on large full size cards measuring 227x151, the set of approved large die proofs, being the only approved examples of all thirteen stamps in private hands (includes two proofs of Norway, both required in conjunction for approval), the American Bank Note Co. proof paper used is a courser more fibrous wove paper than that used by the Bureau, but is different than the India paper found on the Essay in the previous lot, each proof has been approved in various ways, most usually by officials within the company, but three proofs have typical Bureau of Engraving and Printing typed approval format with Luxemburg and Netherlands being signed by Postmaster General, Frank C. Walker and Korea signed by K.P. Aldrich on September 5, 1944 while he was Acting Postmaster General, further illustration of how the American Banknote Co. was working in conjunction with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is that Bureau control numbers are applied to the reverse of nine of the proofs, all are attractive and in quite nice condition with numerous approval notes and handstamps on front and back, because the proof paper does not adhere well to the cards, three proofs are company stapled at the top of the proof to hold it in place, we note a horizontal crease in Czechoslovakia away from the design, very fine and attractive; the history of how these came into private hands is not known having first appeared in a 1998 Cherrystone auction, but at about this period the American Bank Note Co. was divesting itself of some of the archival material in its files, (Image)

Est. 20,000-30,000

SOLD for $14,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1266

909P1a-15P1a, 918P1a-21P1

#909P1a-15P1a, 918P1a-21P1a, 1943-44 5c Overrun Countries, large die proofs on wove paper cplt. less only the issues for Greece and Yugoslavia, die sunk on large full size cards measuring 227x151, of the eleven proofs five of these were marked for approval, but not signed, sometimes with notes for changes to be made, these usually have time-clock handstamps on the reverse documenting the proof's movement, others with few markings except for pencil notations, one indicating "Plant proof for record", condition is quite nice, overall being quite clean and attractive, only two proofs are stapled in place by the company, very fine; unlisted in Scott; we are of the opinion that the three lots of large die proofs and essays offered here are the extent of this important large die proof material of the Overrun Countries in private hands. (Image)

Est. 15,000-20,000

SOLD for $9,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1944-1945 COMMEMORATIVES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1267

909P2-21P2

#909P2-21P2, 1943-44 5c Overrun Countries, small die proofs on wove paper cplt., produced by the American Bank Note Co., the printer of this issue, this is the same course wove paper showing a slight mesh as is found on the large die proofs, all measuring approximately 41x26mm being very similar in appearance to the Bureau small die proofs of this period, five proofs with light and very minor thins, very fine set; exceptionally rare and unlisted in Scott; the only set that we have ever encountered and quite possibly the only small die proofs in private hands. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1268

1944 Armed Forces Postage Free, large die essays, a most interesting issue developed to provide military personnel with a free franking stamp for their mail, this lovely selection actually contains seven proofs featuring a blue and red bicolor large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 151x202mm, signed by E.R. Grove, engraver, another finished engraving off card measuring 98x76mm in gray and black also signed, since this is a two die stamp there are three vignette engravings measuring 76-90x63-78mm showing the progression of the vignette engraving, the last being finished, plus a roughed in engraving of the lettering die on glossy card measuring 105x91mm, also an interesting study of ways to engrave the helmet, except the card all are on wove paper, exceptionally attractive, trivial bend to card of large die proof, very fine; this stamp was never issued and unlisted in Scott; quite likely these are the only examples in public hands of at least some, if not all, of these essays, a lovely assemblage that shows the process of engraving; G.W. Megee, designer; E.R. Grove, designer. (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1269

967-E

1945 3c Red Cross, official photographic essay of the American Bank Note Co., a stamp-size photo of the artwork of a design showing Red Cross personnel aiding a soldier on the battlefield, mounted on small piece of heavy brown manila page from the company archives, with order no. "22109" and "1/26/45" date written above the photo, very fine and quite likely unique; the American Bank Note Co. printed the Overrun Country series at about the time of this essay, that series was the only set of stamps contracted out to a private company by the Bureau during WWII, it may be that this Red Cross design was proposed in conjunction with that issue and scrapped as the next Red Cross issue did not come out until 1948; a marvelous piece for the Red Cross specialist. (Image)

Est. 200-300

SOLD for $270.00
Will close during Public Auction

1270

922P2

#922P2, 3c Transcontinental Railroad, small die proof on bond, measuring 43x28mm, lovely small die proof of this popular issue, deep color and crisp impression, extremely fine and desirable; a very rare proof; W.A. Roach, designer; Carl T. Arlt, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1271

923-E

#923-E, 3c Steamship, large die essay on wove paper, die sunk on three-hole punched full size card measuring 201x152mm, an unaccepted design showing a ship under sail and without denomination or shading in the background, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, with "Brooks" written in pencil at bottom having been erased from the front, exceptionally clean and fresh, very fine; the design change was probably made because this commemorative was celebrating the first steamship to cross the Atlantic and it was thought best to emphasis the ship's steam capabilities rather than its use of wind power; not listed in Scott or Brazer and certainly unique with essays of this later period being of the greatest rarity; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 818347A (1944); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1272

923-E

#923-E, 3c Steamship, large die essay on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 201x150mm, from the Brooks collection, an unfinished engraving of the adopted design, largely complete except lacking smoke from the smokestack and any shading in the background, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Modeling", being for the design department, rather than the previous essay which was pulled for the engraver, a lovely essay in pristine condition, extremely fine; another unlisted essay in both Scott or Brazer, and undoubtedly unique; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 818995A (1944); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,350.00
Will close during Public Auction

1273

923P1a

#923P1a, 3c Steamship, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on nearly full size card measuring 202x147mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Modeling", being from the design department rather than the more frequently seen proofs that were issued for engravers, this proof also shows an unusual doubling of the die impression that we do not remember seeing before, very fresh and attractive, extremely fine; this proof is only listed by Scott on India paper and valued at $1,500.00, a figure that probably came from the sale of the Brooks collection in 1995 from which this proof was purchased, this proof and the next lot from the Brooks collection, as well as the two essays of this issue, are all on wove paper, plus these two die proofs are the only ones that we are aware of this issue; and it is quite likely that there are none on India in public hands; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 819133A (1944); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1274

923P1a

#923P1a, 3c Steamship, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on three-hole punched card measuring 193x149mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, with "Brooks", in pencil at bottom left, another die proof of this Steamship, this being an engraver's proof, very attractive and clean, very fine; a very rare proof; this and the previous lot are the only die proofs that we are aware of this issue; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 819215A (1944); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction

1275

923P2

#923P2, 3c Steamship, small die proof on bond, measuring 43x28mm, fresh crisp proof with deep color, extremely fine and attractive; a very rare proof; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

1276

923P2

#923P2, 3c Steamship, small die proof on bond, measuring 43x28mm, another small die proof of this popular and rare ship issue, small thin at left, extremely fine appearance; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction

1277

924-E

#924-E, 3c Telegraph, large die essay on wove paper, in violet without quite as much red as is found in the issued color, die sunk on card measuring 125x111mm showing full die sinkage, a proof probably from the Eissler collection with black control number, this could be very easily mistaken for a finished die proof, the first thing that strikes you is that the engraving does not appear as strong as the final design, probably much of the vignette was subsequently strengthened, also there are a very few tiny lines that were added to the issued design and are lacking here, most notably in the bolts of the braces and a few lines on the pole, attractive and very fine; an unlisted essay in Scott or Brazer; quite certainly a unique essay ; V.S. McCloskey, designer; Carl T. Arlt, vignette engraver; control number 70145. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction

1278

924P1

#924P1, 3c Telegraph, large die proof on India, die sunk on full size card measuring 201x151mm, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Modeling", being from the design department rather than the more frequently seen proofs that were issued for engravers, an exceptionally clean and attractive proof being an especially strong impression, extremely fine; an extraordinarily rare proof in choice condition being quite likely the only die proof of this issue that is in public hands; V.S. McCloskey, designer; Carl T. Arlt, vignette engraver; control number 820176A (1944). (Image)

$800.00

SOLD for $675.00
Will close during Public Auction

1279

924P2

#924P2, 3c Telegraph, small die proof on bond, measuring 43x28mm, attractive proof with strong bright color, extremely fine and a very rare proof; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver. (Image)

$600.00

SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction

1280

925P1a

#925P1a, 3c Philippines, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 202x151mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Modeling", being from the design department, very fresh and remarkably clean, an attractive and extremely fine large die proof; this proof is only listed by Scott on India paper and valued at $1,150.00, a figure that probably came from the sale of the Brooks collection in 1994, this proof came from that auction and is definitely on wove paper, it is quite likely that this is the only large die proof of this issue in public hands and that there are none on India; W.A. Roach, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 831498A (1944); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction