Shreves Philatelic Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States Back-of-the-Book Essays and Proofs continued...

AIR POSTS continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1441

C25-31-E

#C25-31-E, 6c-50c Transports, celluloid tracing of master design showing the airplane in relationship to the edge of the image area, tracings such as this are one step that the engraver uses in going from the stamp-size model of the artwork produced by the designer to putting the image into the steel die exactly as it was intended, very fine, this original tracing is unique and rarely do such engraving materials ever come out of the Bureau; includes two stamp-size photos of different 20c Transport essays and an enlarged photo of a 6c essay; W.A. Roach, designer; J.R. Lowe engraver. (Image)

Est. 500-750

SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction

1442

C27-E

#C27-E, 10c Transport, bromide copy of die proof, in black, measuring 137x115mm, from the personal files of Edwin L Hastry, Chief Cachet Designer of the United States Postal Department from 1939-42 and probably unique, extremely fine; proof and essay material from this series is unusually scarce and keenly sought after. (Image)

Est. 400-500

SOLD for $210.00
Will close during Public Auction

1443

C25P2-31P2

#C25P2-31P2, 6c-50c Air Transports, small die proofs on bond, measuring 43x27mm, a magnificent matched set of these extraordinarily rare small die proofs, all possessing wide even margins with bright colors and detailed impressions, uniformly extremely fine; the bond paper of this issue is characteristic of the small die proofs after 1941, it distinguishes itself from any possibility of cut down large die proofs, which are on wove paper and are not even known in their entirety for this set; these small die proofs are also exceedingly rare as well, with apparently no more than two or three sets known to collectors; W.A. Roach, designer; J.R. Lowe, vignette engraver. (imagea) (Image)

$21,000.00

SOLD for $14,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1444

C32TC1

#C32TC1, 5c Skymaster, large die trial color proof on wove paper, in blue, die sunk on three-hole punched nearly full size card measuring 200x149mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reading "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, with "Brooks" penciled at the bottom, "C" security punch taped back in place (a normal practice), a fresh and clean proof from the Brooks collection, choice very fine; an immensely rare air post proof being surely the only example of this trial color, but quite likely the only large die proof of this issue in any color available to collectors; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 897166A (1946); ex-Brooks. (Image)

$4,500.00

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1445

C33P1

#C33P1, 5c Carmine, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on three-hole punched full size card measuring 203x150mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reading "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, with "Brooks" penciled at the bottom, "C" security punch taped back in place (a normal practice), brilliant carmine color and detailed impression, a lovely fresh proof, choice very fine; listed but unpriced in Scott; reported to be and quite likely the only example of this large die proof in public hands; V.S. McCloskey, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 914145A (1947); ex-Brooks. (Image)

Est. 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1446

C34P2-36P2

#C34P2-36P2, 10c-25c 1947 Air Posts, small die proofs on yellowish bond cplt., measuring about 40x24mm, an exceptionally well matched set with nice even margins, each with very tiny thins; an exceedingly rare set of proofs; very few issues have been produced in this small format on this distinctive paper, their condition, which usually involves thins, has caused speculation that these were produced by the Post Office department for some special exhibition, all other such proofs have been reported to be the unique; these are not listed in Scott and it is quite likely that these are the only known examples in public hands as well; V.S. McCloskey, L. Helguera & W.K. Schrage, designers; C.T. Arlt & E.R. Grove, vignette engravers; each proof accompanied by a 1988 PF certificate. (imagea) (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $2,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1447

C44P1

#C44P1, 25c Universal Postal Union, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 203x152mm, a lovely die proof with strong color on bright paper, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, penciled at bottom is "Fenton", the vignette engraver for this value, only the most trivial corner wear, extremely fine and a remarkably handsome large die proof; this large die proof, pulled for the engraver M.D. Fenton, is of the greatest rarity and is most probably the only example in private hands; W.K. Schrage, designer; M.D. Fenton, vignette engraver; control number 986580A (1949). (Image)

$5,000.00

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

1448

C44P2

#C44P2, 25c Universal Postal Union, small die proof on yellowish bond, measuring about 40x24mm, a lovely sound proof of this commemorative high value, deep carmine color, extremely fine; an exceedingly rare proof that is reported to be the only example in collectors' hands, which, as evidenced by similar proofs of this type, we believe to be the case; W.K. Schrage, designer; M.D. Fenton, vignette engraver; 1994 PF certificate. (Image)

$2,750.00

SOLD for $1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1449

C45P1

#C45P1, 5c Wright Brothers, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on three-hole punched full size card measuring 203x152mm, from the Brooks collection, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reading "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, with "Brooks" penciled at the bottom, "C" security punch taped back in place (a normal practice), exceptionally deep color, a lovely fresh proof of this popular air mail commemorative, choice very fine; reported to be the only example of this large die proof in public hands; C.R. Chickering, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; control number 988830A (1949); ex-Brooks. (Image)

$5,500.00

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1450

C45P2

#C45P2, 6c Wright Brothers, small die proof on yellowish bond, measuring about 39x24mm, an especially attractive and sound small die proof of this important air mail topical, rich color, nice even margins, fresh and extremely fine; another example of this small format proof that most certainly is the only known example in public hands; the difference in catalog value between this and similar "unique" proofs is a function of when they were last sold, the competition at the time and popularity of the subject matter, not the rarity, which actually can't get any greater; C.R. Chickering, designer; C.A. Brooks, vignette engraver; 1994 PF certificate. (Image)

$5,000.00

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1451

C47P1

#C47P1, 6c Pioneer Flight, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 203x153mm, attractive bright carmine color, Bureau handstamp on the reverse reads "Engraver's Stock Proof/Authorized by" and initialed, penciled at bottom is "Fenton", the vignette engraver for this value, slight edge wear and light corner crease to the bottom left corner of the card, all well away from the die area, proof is extremely fine with nice appearance; another Fenton proof that is most probably the only example in private hands; V.S. McCloskey, designer; M.D. Fenton, vignette engraver; control number 120359B (1953). (Image)

$5,000.00

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

AIR POST SPECIAL DELIVERY

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1452

for #CE1-2

for #CE1-2, Seal of the President of the United States, die proof on India an extraordinarily handsome large die engraving on original card measuring 151x159mm, the card being slightly larger than the India, lettered inscription is in reverse, impressive and very fine; this is one of the engravings that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing developed and was used for various purposes, a variant of the central Eagle and Shield design was used for the central vignette of the Air Post Special Delivery stamps; quite likely the only known example of this state of this engraving in public hands; control number 751316 (1916). (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $600.00
Will close during Public Auction

ROCKET MAIL

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1453

PTC

E-Z #8B1

E-Z #8B1, First American Rocket Airplane Flight, die proofs on card, set of twelve different colors complete including black, printed directly on die sunk cards measuring 150x165mm, this "stamp" was applied to covers carried on the first flight using rocket airplanes, printed by the Langdon Engraving Co., New York, extremely fine and attractive. (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

1454

E6TC1

#E6TC1, 10c 1902 Special Delivery, large die trial color proof on card, in rose red, printed directly on die sunk card measuring 107x93MM, an exquisite proof showing the full die sinkage, possessing absolutely radiant color, exceptionally clean and choice, very fine; certainly an extraordinarily rare trial color proof of great beauty; with only two examples believed to be collectors' hands; R.O. Smith, designer; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver; ex-"Cheshire". (Image)

$4,000.00

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

1455

E6P2

#E6P2, 10c Ultramarine special delivery, Roosevelt small die proof, measuring 42x26mm, strong color on bright paper, light thinning as often occurs when removed from the album page, very fine appearance; only 85 printed; R.O. Smith, designer; R. Ponickau, vignette engraver. (Image)

$250.00

SOLD for $85.00
Will close during Public Auction

1456

E7-E4 var.

#E7-E4 var, 10c Helmut of Mercury special delivery, die essay on wove paper, in greenish blue, woodblock die impression of the original design, very similar to what was issued by the Bureau of Engraving and printing, measuring 65x48mm, showing the design with approximately 5mm margins then a portion of the uncleared woodblock outside the border, pen notation "Epruve/1908" and signed by Whitney Warren, designer, very fine; the listing by Scott (which was taken from Brazer) is confusing and doesn't tell the whole story in either the listing or the introductory description, the item here is a signed proof of the wood block only, Scott and Brazer listings seem to be listing prints differentiating subtle differences between color of papers and impressions, those prints (see following lots) differ from this die impression in that not only do the prints have the die impression, but the they also have an underlying moire print that adds shading throughout the design (such as light vertical lines in the inscription tablet), the intensity and color of the two impressions causes the varieties listed; this signed single die impression should receive a different listing and is far rarer than what is listed by Scott, perhaps the only one known in private hands since the original proof material was turned over to the Bureau; Whitney Warren, designer; Giroldon, engraver. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

1457

E7-E4

#E7-E4, 10c Helmut of Mercury special delivery, die essay on wove paper, in greenish blue, actually more of a stiff bond paper without mesh, measuring 34x19mm, a woodblock print, very similar to what was used for the issued stamp, this print is made up of the die impression plus a second underlying moire print that adds shading throughout the design (such as light vertical lines in the inscription tablet), this item is specifically mentioned by Scott being affixed to a larger piece of paper measuring 136x87mm, with typewritten "Prints made in Paris, France, from a wood-cut engraving by and an unknown engraver from a design made by Mr. Whitney Warren, architect, of New York City " and signed "Complements J.E. Ralph", who was director of the Bureau, also pencil date "9/7/1917", a most interesting and unique example of these essays; Whitney Warren, designer; Giroldon, engraver. (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction

1458

E7-E4

#E7-E4, 10c Helmut of Mercury special delivery, die essay on wove paper, in greenish blue, two prints as described above, one on a slightly whiter bond paper measuring 34x30mm, and another in a deeper shade on a thick, almost thin card stock, measuring 32x27mm, we haven't attempted to decipher the Ridgeway nomenclature except to note that the deeper color of the second one seems to be the result of just a much heaver impression of the underprint, very fine and scarce; Whitney Warren, designer; Giroldon, engraver. (Image)

$900.00

SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

1459

E7-E5b

#E7-E5b, 10c Helmut of Mercury special delivery, die essay on soft white wove paper, in dark blue green, this being an engraved die, rather than a woodblock (typography), measuring 30x25mm, this design has similar elements to the issued design but differs in many details (the woodblock is much closer to what was issued), small thin spot, otherwise very fine and rare. (Image)

$750.00

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction

1460

E12P1a

#E12P1a, 10c Gray violet, large die proof on wove paper, die sunk on full size card measuring 205x154mm, an approved proof apparently signed by Hubert Work, Postmaster General, this being from the set presented to President Calvin Coolidge, dated June 20, 1922, just prior to when the stamp was issued, but the control number indicates that this was one of the proofs that Harry New had made in 1929 before he left office and is therefore on wove paper rather than India, exceptionally clean and in beautiful pristine condition, extremely fine; Harry New presented to President Coolidge a set of die proofs for all the stamps that were issued during the Harding-Coolidge presidencies, interestingly most of the proofs from this set were original approval proofs prior to the issue of the stamp, the proof offered here is one of the exceptions that apparently needed to be printed later to fill out the set; Scott prices the India at $1,850.00 and the wove at $1,100.00, however our census indicates that this should be exactly the opposite, we note four approved India proofs known, but only this one and one other approved wove paper proofs (plus the non-approved unique F.D. Roosevelt proof on wove); regardless, this is a rare proof in the best possible condition available; C.A. Huston, designer; L.S. Schofield, vignette engraver; control number 154038 (1929); ex-Coolidge. (Image)

$1,100.00

SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction