1861, 1¢ Franklin, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black. Trial color large die proof on India paper (formerly No. 55TC1). On thick card (40x39mm), showing light early horizontal layout lines at left and very minor differences in leaf scrolls at top than other die essays, small portion "440" die number at bottom edge, Very Fine.
Scott No. 63-E11a; $4,000.

MOSTLY LIKELY THE EARLIEST DIE ESSAY OF THE 1861 1¢ "PREMIERE GRAVURE" ISSUE PRODUCED BY BY NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY.

This early die essay, showing three light horizontal layout lines on the die, does not show on any other of the known examples from die "440". Also, only one other example shows the slight difference in the leaf scrolls at top (likely unique printing on glazed card sold in the 2018 Siegel sale of the Richard Drews Collection of United States 1861-68 Issues). This combination of layout lines and unfinished leaf scrolls most likely makes this essay unique. US$0 (Image)

Scott $4,000

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3111
Symbol:ECat No:63-E11c

1861, 1¢ Franklin, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in ultramarine. Trial color plate proof on India paper (formerly No. 55TC3), bottom margin block of 4, full well balanced margins; couple margin tone spots, Very Fine and scarce.
Scott No. 63-E11c; $1,200 as singles. US$0 (Image)

Scott $1,200 as singles

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3112
Symbol:Cat No:55

1861, 1¢ indigo, First Design. O.g., very lightly hinged, deep rich indigo shade characteristic of the "August" Issue, very well centered for this rare issue (all known examples are centered slightly into the top perforations, but unlike most others, this stamp has fully intact perforations), deeply etched impression, exceptionally fresh, Very Fine and choice, with Scott catalog value for examples with perfs cutting slightly into design at top, ex-Isleham, Weissman, & Floyd, with 1992, 2002 P.F. & 1992 P.S.E certificates.
Scott No. 55; $50,000.

THERE ARE ONLY NINE MINT SINGLES IN SOUND CONDITION AND THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

There are 26 recorded examples of the One Cent First Design or so-called "August" Issue (as per Siegel Census). Of this total, three are canceled and another is housed in the New York Public Library collection, leaving only 22 mint copies available to collectors. Thirteen of the mint examples are found faulty leaving only nine that exist which are both completely sound and still retain their original gum, with this example being among the finest of this elite group.

Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (1.2MB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $50,000

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black. Small die proof on India paper, die sunk on card (70x84mm) showing full die sink. With "441" die number and small National Bank Note Co. imprint below, fresh, Very Fine (formerly 56TC1), very rare, the finer of two known.
Scott No. 65-E15c; $2,000. US$0 (Image)

Scott $2,000

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in scarlet. Trial color plate proof on India paper (formerly No. 56TC3), bottom margin plate number "2" strip of 4 with imprint, clear margins, bright color, small sealed tear at top & small margin thin at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance.
Scott No. 65-E15f; $1,400 as singles. US$0 (Image)

Scott $1,400 as singles

1861, 3¢ Washington, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in brown rose. Finished plate essay on semi-transparent stamp paper, perf'd and gummed (formerly No. 56), right margin single, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 65-E15h; $550.

A VERY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN GEM NEVER HINGED CONDITION SUCH AS THIS.



Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (382KB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $550

1861, 5¢ Jefferson, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black. Trial color large die proof on India paper (formerly No. 57TC1). Die sunk on card (91x94mm) showing full die sink, with "442" die number and small "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprint below; light horizontal card crease long die sink at bottom and some faint tone spots, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare large die proof, one of only a couple examples known still on original card.
Scott No. 67-E9a; $2,500. US$0 (Image)

Scott $2,500

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3117
Symbol:(Cat No:57

1861, 5¢ brown, First Design. No gum, outstanding centering for this rare issue, sharp impression, exceptionally fresh color, Extremely Fine and choice, with Scott catalog value for examples bearing small faults, ex-Seymour, Lutwak & Zoellner, with 1961, 1976 & 1998 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 57; $30,000.

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THIS CLASSIC RARITY IN SOUND CONDITION - ONE OF ONLY FIVE.

According to the Siegel Census, there are five examples in sound condition with another six stamps (one of which is in the New York Public Library collection) where the condition is unknown, leaving this as one of the finest known.

Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (859KB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $30,000

1861, 12¢ black, First Design, large die proof on India paper. On card (72 x 85mm) showing virtually complete die sink, showing light layout lines at top corners of design, "444" & "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprints below, couple trivial spots, still Very Fine, a very rare large die proof of the 12¢ First Design, ex-Finkelburg & "Lake Shore".
Scott No. 59P1; $2,500. US$0 (Image)

Scott $2,500

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3120
Symbol:Cat No:59

1861, 12¢ black, First Design. Large part o.g. (which covers virtually the entire reverse of the stamp), exceptionally centered with large beautifully balanced margins and perforations clear of the design all round; tiny thin spot at top, Extremely Fine appearance, ex-Weill & T. Cullen Davis, with 1962 & 2019 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 59; $90,000.

THE 12¢ BLACK IS THE RAREST OF THE 1861 FIRST DESIGNS AND COLORS, WITH A TOTAL OF 16 EXAMPLES RECORDED, ONE OF WHICH RESIDES IN THE MILLER COLLECTION AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

This stamp was sold in a 1964 Siegel Auction (Sale #276) for a whopping $13,000, the highest price of the entire sale. By way of comparison, in the same sale, a sound copy of the Inverted Jenny (Scott C3a) sold for $10,500.

Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (605KB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $90,000

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3121
Symbol:Cat No:60

1861, 24¢ dark violet, First Design. O.g., lightly hinged, well centered, rich "August" issue color, fine proof like impression, fresh & Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 60; $15,000.

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 24¢ FIRST COLOR PRINTING IN SOUND CONDITION AND ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE 1861-63 24¢ ISSUE SHADES.



Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (439KB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $15,000

1861, 30¢ Franklin, N.B.N.C. "Premiere Gravure" essay, in black (formerly 61TC1). Trial color large die proof on India paper (79 x 88mm), die sunk on card with die No. "446" and "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprint at bottom, Extremely Fine and rare.
Scott No. 71-E2a; $1,750. US$0 (Image)

Scott $1,750

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3123
Symbol:Cat No:61

1861, 30¢ red orange, First Design. O.g., previously hinged, wonderful centering with perfs well clear all around, deep color; trace of light corner crease at top right, still Extremely Fine, with Scott catalog value for the grade of fine, ex-Lilly, Seymour, Cole, "Concord" & Floyd, with 1949, 1988 & 2001 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 61; $40,000.

A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS CLASSIC RARITY WHICH HAS GRACED SEVERAL IMPORTANT COLLECTIONS.

A common trait found in the majority of 1861 First Color 30¢ stamps is slight creasing, varying from severe in some instances to barely discernible in others.

Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (1.3MB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $40,000

1861, 90¢ Black, First Design, Trial Color Large Die Proof on India Paper (formerly 62TC1). (94 x 121mm), with die No. "447" and "National Bank Note Co. N.Y." imprint at bottom, wonderfully fresh, Extremely Fine and rare, ex-DuPuy.
Scott No. 72-E7b; $1,750. US$0 (Image)

Scott $1,750

Sale No: 117
Lot No:3125
Symbol:(Cat No:62

1861, 90¢ dull blue, First Design. No gum, precision centering and rich vivid color, sharp impression on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Cole & Drucker, with 1958, 1988 & 2002 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 62; $50,000.

A STUNNING GEM WHICH IS EASILY ON THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE 1861 90¢ FIRST DESIGN.

According the Siegel Census, there are at total of 22 known examples of the 90¢ First Design, including one copy in the New York Public Library collection. There are a mere six examples which are in sound condition and only two of these still retain their original gum.

Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (1.3MB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $50,000

1861, 10¢ dark green, First Design. Well centered amid nicely balanced margins, incredibly rich color even for the First Design issue, light boxed "Paid" and red town cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 62B; $1,750.

A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10¢ DARK GREEN, FIRST DESIGN WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE 19TH CENTURY TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION.



Certificate(s):
View gallery or Download PDF (440KB). US$0 (Image)

Scott $1,750