National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Black on Glazed Wove Paper, Liberty Head Essay. Typographed vignette only essay on 34 x 37mm wove paper, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Za; $1,500.

The second design essays, with which Franklin W. Brooks waged his one man campaign against Congress, comprise by far the most numerous group of essays in the entire postal card field. Most of the types of proposed reply cards produced bearing the first design of essay stamp used by Mr. Brooks are also known in the second design, although two types were excluded: cards requiring the same stamp to be twice canceled,162P and triple folded cards.163 P One new type was added (MR1E-O).123F 164 P Numerically, by far the greatest quantities of these cards are concentrated in three of the types (MR1E-M, MR1E-MB, and MR1E-N) while most of the other types are quite scarce. Unlike any of the other patented cards submitted to the Post Office Department for its consideration this stamp design was printed from a carefully engraved die, with both die and printing being the skilled workmanship of an established bank note company. Unquestionably this method required a much greater financial outlay than most patentees desired to expend, but Mr. Brooks felt confident that ultimately his patent would be accepted, and he was financially able, and also willing, to spend money to further this purpose. USPCC $1,500
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USPCC $1,500

National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Albino on Wove Paper, Embossed Liberty Head Essay. Embossed vignette on 47 x 59mm wove paper; couple trivial tiny thins, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Za var.; Estimate $500 - 750.

ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ALBINO EMBOSSED LIBERTY HEAD ESSAY.

This design was essayed for use on postal entires but was not adopted. There was another example of this essay offered in the Georgian sale (lot 2357). Turner listed this as a revenue essay (Essay 1 Vignette 2a). Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Albino on Wove Paper with Purple Background, Embossed Liberty Head Essay. Embossed vignette on 47 x 57mm wove paper; light diagonal crease, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Za var.; Estimate $300 - 400.

ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ALBINO EMBOSSED LIBERTY HEAD ESSAY.

This design was essayed for use on postal entires but was not adopted. Turner listed this as a revenue essay (Essay 1 Vignette 2b). Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Black, Stamp Die Essay on White Wove. Typographed Die essay from engraved steel die on 28 x 36 mm white wove paper, Very Fine, ex-Marcus White. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zb; $4,000.

A RARE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ESSAY FOR THE FIRST U.S. POSTAL CARD ISSUE.

This essay was designed by James Macdonough. USPCC $4,000
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USPCC $4,000

National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Red Violet on Thin Card, Progressive Die Essay. Typographed from engraved steel die on 68 x 85mm card showing full die sinkage, Very Fine and rare. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zb var.; $4,000+.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ESSAY SHOWING THE STAMP DESIGN THAT WAS ADOPTED FOR THE FIRST U.S. POSTAL CARD ISSUE ON THIN CARD SHOWING THE FULL DIE SINKAGE.

This is the only recorded example of this essay on thin card. Two presentation examples of this essay on thin glazed paper are signed in pencil by J. Macdonough. USPCC $4,000+
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USPCC $4,000+

National Bank Note Co., 1873, 1¢ Red on Vertically Laid Paper. Untrimmed typograph essay from engraved steel die of complete design on 143 x 88mm dingy v. pale y-y-orange stiff vertically laid paper; trivial minor creases, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zba; $4,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED 1873 1¢ POSTAL CARD UNTRIMMED TYPOGRAPH ESSAY OF THE COMPLETE DESIGN.

This was designed by James MacDonough. USPCC $4,000
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USPCC $4,000

1873, 1¢ Liberty Envelope Essays on Creamy White. Three 153 x 89mm creamy white envelope essays in red, brown and purple; two with minor toning, fresh and Very Fine.
UPSS No. E35Da-c; $750. UPSS $750
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UPSS $750

1873, 1¢ Essays on Buff Card. Group of 22 in range of colors on buff card, rough surface one side, usually with vertically laid watermarked lines; some toning affects some, F.-V.F., a fantastic assemblage. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zc; $6,600. USPCC $6,600
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USPCC $6,600

1873, 1¢ Essays on Buff Card. Group of 26 different in range of colors on buff card, both sides smooth surface, usually with vertically laid watermarked lines; few with some toning, F.-V.F., a remarkable group that would be difficult to duplicate. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zd; $7,800. USPCC $7,800
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USPCC $7,800

1873, 1¢ Essays on Buff, with Manuscript "Essay". Range of different colors including Scarlet, Orange, Green, Bluish Green, Greenish Black, etc., each with manuscript "Essay" in address line, several small differences from the issued design; toning affects many from exhibit mounting, F.-V.F. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zd var.; $4,500+.

A UNIQUE ASSEMBLAGE OF "SPECIMEN" TRIAL COLOR ESSAYS DISPLAYED AT THE 1881 ATLANTA COTTON EXPOSITION.

The post office produced stamp and postal card trial color proofs to show at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition (I.C.E) World's Fair held in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 5 to December 31 of 1881. The fair was planned to show the progress made since the city's destruction during the Battle of Atlanta and new developments in cotton production. USPCC $4,500+
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USPCC $4,500+

1873, 1¢ Essays on Buff, "POD" with Bars Essay Watermark. Four different colors reconstructed to show full "POD" within bars essay watermark, mounted on exhibit page, colors of orange brown, brown, violet and turquoise, Very Fine and unique exhibit assemblage. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Ze; $3,000.

Reference: Illustrated in U.S. Postal Card Catalog on page 41.

The essay watermark reads up or down on the trial colors. The trial colors exist in two types (Ze and Zf) with and without bars above and/or below the letters. The same sheets of paper may have both types of watermarks. The cardstock was cut and used indiscriminately with respect to the watermark position. Cards show only "P" or "OD". No attempt was made to cut and position cardstock to print with complete "POD". It is probable that pure chance resulted in cards with or without watermarks as some ink colors exist with or without watermarks and in various positions. USPCC $3,000
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USPCC $3,000

1873, 1¢ Essays on Buff, "POD" Essay Watermark. Four different colors reconstructed to show full "POD" essay watermark, mounted on exhibit page, colors of green-blue, reddish brown, deep red and orange brown with manuscript "Essay" for the 1881 Cotton Expo, Very Fine and unique exhibit assemblage. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1E-Zf; $3,000.

Reference: Illustrated in U.S. Postal Card Catalog on page 41.

The essay watermark reads up or down on the trial colors. The trial colors exist in two types (Ze and Zf) with and without bars above and/or below the letters. The same sheets of paper may have both types of watermarks. The cardstock was cut and used indiscriminately with respect to the watermark position. Cards show only "P" or "OD". No attempt was made to cut and position cardstock to print with complete "POD". It is probable that pure chance resulted in cards with or without watermarks as some ink colors exist with or without watermarks and in various positions. USPCC $3,000
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USPCC $3,000

1873, 1¢ Trial Color Proofs. Large U.S.P.O.D. watermark. Group of three different colors comprising yellow green, green (33 m/0) and gray black (69 m/5); couple small flaws including last two with some toning, F.-V.F. and rare group as only two examples are known of each. Scott No. UX1TC.
USPCC No. S1TCa; $1,200. USPCC $1,200
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USPCC $1,200

1873, 1¢ Trial Color Proof with "Essay". Large U.S.P.O.D. watermark. Green (33 m/0) trial color proof with manuscript "Essay" at left, toned from overlapping display, mounting scuffs on back, Fine and rare, the only example known with "Essay". Scott No. UX1TC.
USPCC No. S1TCa var.; $400+.

The Post Office produced stamp and postal card trial color proofs to show at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition (I.C.E) world's fair held in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 5 to December 31 of 1881. The postal cards were inscribed "Essay" in manuscript. USPCC $400+
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USPCC $400+

1873, 1¢ Dark Red-Orange Brown on Buff Card, Master Die Proof. Master die impression with secret mark in 7 i/1 dim v. dark red-orange (brown) on unwatermarked 130 x 176 mm card, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pa; $1,000.

The secret mark was a small dash of color inside the right angle of the inside frame above the indicia. USPCC $1,000
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USPCC $1,000

1873, 1¢ Dark Orange Brown on Buff, "Compliments of E. Morgan". Card with large watermark, reverse with printed "Compliments of E. Morgan, From the First Package of Postal Cards sold by the United States" message; slight toning on face, otherwise Very Fine. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pa var.; $400+. USPCC $400+
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USPCC $400+

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Proof Specimen. Unwatermarked buff card with manuscript "Contract Specimen" and "W.H.H.T." for Gen. W. H. H. Terrell-Third Assistant Postmaster General, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pba; $500.

THE ONLY RECORDED "CONTRACT SPECIMEN" SIGNED BY TERRELL. USPCC $500
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USPCC $500

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Proof Specimen. Unwatermarked buff card with manuscript "Specimen Card" and bearing blue "U.S. Postal Card Agency, May 1, 1873" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine and unique. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pbb; $500.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS PROOF SPECIMEN WITH THE U.S. POSTAL CARD AGENCY MAY 1, 1873 DATESTAMP. USPCC $500
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USPCC $500

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Proof Specimen. Card with manuscript "Specimen" and reverse with blue "Third Assistant, P.M.G., Sep 13 '73, P.O.D." cds, fresh and Very Fine. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pbc; $300.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS MANUSCRIPT "SPECIMEN" AND THIRD ASSISTANT P.M.G. HANDSTAMP. USPCC $300
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USPCC $300

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Master Die Proof with Inverted "POD" Essay Watermark. Showing the Master Die secret mark - a small dash of color inside the right angle of the inside frame above the indicia, Very Fine. Scott No. UX1P.
USPCC No. S1Pd; $1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS MASTER DIE PROOF WITH "POD" ESSAY WATERMARK.

This proof with the "POD" double-line essay watermark was produced by the National Bank Note Co., using the master die, and hence shows the "secret mark". It was probably produced on December 4, 1872, at the same time as the essays S1E-Ze and Zf. USPCC $1,000
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USPCC $1,000

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff Card, 90 x 65mm Large "USPOD" Essay Watermark. Vertical strip of three, clear bold 90 x 65mm large "USPOD" watermark, 5mm taller than the watermark on the issued UX1 card; faults, Fine and rare, this is unlisted in both the UPSS and USPCS catalogs. Scott No. UX1E.
USPCC No. S1Pd var.; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

The Georgian postal card collection had a similar vertical strip of three with this larger "USPOD" watermark. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Production Specimen from First Sheet Printed. Watermarked buff card with blue "U.S. Postal Card Agency, May 12, 1873" double-circle datestamp and reverse with manuscript message, "The first Postal Card contract was awarded to the Morgan Envelope Company of Springfield, Mass. March 28th 1873. The first issue of Postal Cards began on the 12th day of May 1873. The first perfect sheet of Postal Cards ever printed contained thirty six (36) cards, and was approved by the U.S.P.O. Department April 30th 1873. I certify that this Postal Card was taken from the first sheet approved by the Department. Geo. N. Tyler, U.S. Postal Card Agent."; card toning on face, Fine. Scott No. UX1PS.
USPCC No. S1PSa; $2,500.

A RARE PRODUCTION SPECIMEN FROM THE FIRST SHEET PRINTED SIGNED BY TERRELL AND WITH U.S. POSTAL CARD AGENCY DATESTAMP. USPCC $2,500
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USPCC $2,500

1873, Blank Card Sample. Large USPOD watermark on sample blank card stock; toning on both sides, Fine and scarce. Scott No. UX1P var.
USPCC No. S1S; $750. USPCC $750
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USPCC $750

1873, Blank Card Sample. With part of "POD" essay watermark on sample blank card stock; hint of toning, Fine and scarce. Scott No. UX1P var.
USPCC No. S1S var.; Estimate $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1873, 1¢ Brown on Buff, Inverted and Reversed Large "USPOD" Watermark. Used card cancelled by cork cancel to Jackson Mich., message datelined "Hastings Jan 5th 1874", Very Fine, one of only six recorded examples of the inverted and reversed large "USPOD" watermark variety, five of which are used. USPCC No. S1b.
Scott No. UX1 var.; Estimate $500 - 750.

The sheet of cardstock was inverted and reversed before printing. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750