US Classic Stamps
Essays and Proofs of 1861-1868
Essays
The US classic stamps formerly listed in the Scott
Catalog as #55 - #62, were long referred to as the "Premiere Gravure"
Issues, or the First Printings of the 1861 Issue. They are now
considered essays and not regularly issued postage stamps. Some of them
are now listed in the Essays section and others are listed in the Trial
Color Proofs section of the Scott US Specialized Catalog.
The perforated 12 examples on stamp paper are all very
rare and are seldom obtainable. The imperforate proofs of the Premiere
Gravure issues on India paper are only a very tiny fraction of the cost
of the perforated examples on stamp paper. Plate proofs on India of the
3 Cent, 5 Cent, and 12 Cent denominations are shown in the image above.
Die essays of US Classic stamps are very elusive. This
one is a National Banknote Co. proposed 3 Cent design on India paper,
die sunk on card (Sc. #65E14). The proposed stamp design is in deep
red, and it includes the die number and inscription.
Die essay, in three trial colors, submitted by Toppan,
Carpenter, & Co. for the 3 Cent postage stamp issue of 1861. Later
essays of this type show the denomination numeral "3" where the circular
outlines are on these.
Proofs
Collecting proofs of US classic stamps can be a great
sideline to one's regular stamp collection. The proofs were usually
taken, right after the dies and / or plates were created, and the colors
and detail are outstanding.
Shown above is a large die proof of the 1861 90 Cent denomination (Sc. #72P1) on India paper mounted on card. This is what the DIE looked like, before it was used to place the impressions on the plate that was used for printing the postage stamps.
Every
serious philatelist, studying a particular issue, should have at least
one of these. It is an outstanding collateral item for an exhibit, and,
in the case of the 1861 90 Cent Issue, the die proof actually costs a
lot less than a mint postage stamp printed from the finished plate.
When the approved plates were first laid down, it was
common practice in the 19th Century to make proof sheets from the new
plates for evaluation. The proofs were usually printed both on India
paper and on thick card, for the best results.
Shown
above are six card proofs of the 1861 issue. They are outstanding
examples from the new plates, and the card proofs, even by today's
standards, are very inexpensive. The India proofs are only about twice
the price of card proofs, in the Scott Catalog.
Shown above are four card proofs of the US classic stamps of the 1862-1866 Issue.
Trial Color Proofs
When new plates were laid down and ready for printing
postage stamps, it was often a common practice to make trial color proof
impressions for evaluation and final approval.
Shown
above are five trial color proofs on India from the new plate for the 1
Cent Benjamin Franklin stamp of 1861. Following the evaluation and
approval process, the actual issued stamp (Sc. #63) was printed in light
blue.
Specimens
In the 19th Century, the United States Post Office
took sheets of newly printed postage stamps, and then overprinted the
stamps with "Specimen". These sheets were distributed to government
officials and foreign postal services, so they could have examples of
what our contemporary postage stamps looked like.
Shown above are five Specimens of the 1861-1866 postage stamp issues.
Collecting
Essays, die and plate proofs, trial color proofs, and specimens, along
with the regular postage stamp issues, can make for a World class stamp
display. And, for a 19th Century philatelist, most of these item are
really not unreasonably expensive.
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Essays and Proofs of 1861-1868
