Two Toppan, Carpenter Canal Bank banknotes showing examples of the original dies used to prepare the (7/10A/17) 1851-57 1¢, 3¢ & 12¢ stamp plates previously deployed in the production of banknotes by the firm. Used examples of 1¢, 3¢ & 12¢ 1851-57 Issue stamps included on original exhibit page.

Cat. value $560 for the three stamps.

Two-page official printed notice from the U.S. Post Office Department (7 7/8" x 10") detailing one of the most significant postal reforms of the 19th century. Issued by Postmaster General James Campbell and dated March 12, 1855, this notice was circulated nationwide to inform postmasters of the sweeping changes enacted by Congress and approved March 3, 1855.

Both sheets exhibit normal folds and mild handling wear. An excellent collateral item - essential for postal historians and collectors of classic U.S. issues and stampless-era material. 

Ex. Honolulu Advertiser and Golden, described by Thomas A. Alexander and pictured in USPCS Chronicle 132 (Nov 1986).

Transcript: The first sheet, headed "NEW POSTAGE ACT. Instructions to Postmasters.", outlines the practical implications of the new law, including:

• Effective April 1, 1855, the single rate of postage on a letter traveling under 3,000 miles is 3 cents, and 10 cents for distances over 3,000 miles.

• From the same date, pre-payment of postage became compulsory, whether by postage stamps, stamped envelopes, or in money.

• As of January 1, 1856, all letters between places in the United States must be prepaid exclusively with stamps or stamped envelopes.

• The notice also affirms that franking privileges remain unchanged and foreign rates continue as before.

• Instructions are included for the preparation and distribution of 1¢, 3¢, and 10¢ stamps and for the registration of valuable letters.

The second sheet prints the full text of the New Postage Act, codifying these reforms into law. It also imposes double and triple charges for heavier letters, mandates a 1¢ fee on drop letters, and authorizes—but does not require—the registration of letters for a 5¢ fee.

(5-E2) 1851 6c black Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. "Six Cents" die essay on india paper, cut to shape and mounted on paper backing, fine-v.f. overall appearance of this hard to fine essay from the 1851 competition to secure the contract to produce U.S. postage stamps.

Cat. value $2,500

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(5-E2) 1851 6c black Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. "Six Cents" die essay on india paper, cut to shape and mounted on tissue paper backing, fine overall appearance of this hard to fine essay from the 1851 competition to secure the contract to produce U.S. postage stamps.

Cat. value $2,500.

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(5TC1ae) 1851 1¢ Franklin large die proof, printed in black on India paper (45 x 45mm), die sunk on full-size card. The design features include extended guidelines reaching from the printed frame onto the card at top and bottom, indicating early production use. Bold impression on crisp, bright paper. Light pencil “58” at lower right is likely a Bureau of Engraving & Printing archival control or inventory notation.

This example bears the distinctive cancellation dot in the oval at left, applied to the die in 1860 and carried through onto Plates 11 and 12. Additional diagnostic features—two small dots beneath the “C” of “CENT,” and the strong horizontal layout line at upper left—are not present on Plates 1–12 but are found on proofs from the 1875 Reprint plate. These elements support the conclusion by Neinken and Ashbrook that this impression was pulled from a die prepared for the 1875 Reprint, and likely distributed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing around 1910.

One of only five recorded proof impressions from the one-cent 1851 die—a major rarity, with two known in blue and three in black. A significant item for specialists focused on the 1851 Issue and U.S. classic proof material.

Ex Ashbrook & Eubanks; illustrated in Ashbrook’s One-Cent Book (Vol. 1, p. 53) and the Neinken revision (p. 19).

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(11-E4b) 1851 3c John E. Gavit & Co. dull blue die essay on India paper, fine-v.f.

Cat. value $400.

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(11-E5a) 1851 3c Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. deep scarlet die essay on stiff stamp paper, fine-v.f.

Cat. value $1,250.

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(11-E7b) Three 1851 3c Draper, Welsh & Co die essays on India paper including brown, scarlet & dull blue, fresh and very fine essay group.

Cat. value $1,200.

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(11-E8) 1851 3c Draper, Welsh & Co green die essay on stiff stamp paper, tiny faults, still fine.

Cat. value $300.

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(11-E10b) 1851 3c Danforth, Bald & Co. scarlet die essay on India paper, fine-v.f.

Cat. value $200.

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Group of nine Toppan, Carpenter & Co. 3c Washington 1903 Schernikow die essays including 11-E17c, 65-E1a, 65-E1c, 2x 65-E2b and 4x 65-E3c. A very fine assemblage of these interesting die essays produced from the original dies by Schernikow.  

Cat. value $815.

(17-E3) 1851 12¢ black violet Toppan, Carpenter, Casilier & Co. die essay on india paper, very fine.

Cat. value $900.

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(24P3) 1857-61 1¢ blue Franklin Type V, position 3L9, plate proof on India paper, small thin spots but still a fine-v.f. and scarce example of this 1¢ plate proof.

With 1988 Philatelic Foundation certificate, cat. value $1,250.

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(37-E1) 1857–61 24¢ black large die essay on India paper, 22 x 29mm, showing the unadopted design for the 24¢ 1860 Washington issue. This early die displays an intense, rich black shade and presents subtle but significant differences from the die ultimately used to create the transfer roll for the issued stamp. Most notably, the vignette background is etched with considerably darker cross-hatching, giving the portrait a more recessed appearance. A scarce and desirable essay illustrating the evolution of design and engraving decisions leading to the final 24¢ issue, very fine and choice.

Cat. value $1,500.

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(37-E2) 1857-61 (24¢) black frame-only die essay on India, on 39 x 44mm card, showing crisp impression of the intricate lathework frame used for the 24¢ denomination of the 1857-61 Issue, without outer frame line, with clear die layout lines visible, light scattered toning spots, otherwise well-preserved.

A very fine example of a progressive die essay from an early state of the 1857-61 24¢ Issue design—a rare artifact from the production process at Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. One of three frame-only die essays recorded. 

Ex. Hulme, unpriced in Scott

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(37TC5) 24c Washington plate proof on wove paper group of three colors, claret brown, yellow and violet black which includes portion of position above and sheet margin at bottom, a very fine group.

Cat. value $1,800.

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(37P1) 1857-61 24c gray lilac Washington large die proof on India mounted on card, lightly stained at left, still a fine and rare example of this die proof. 

With 1991 Philatelic Foundation certificate, listed but unpriced in Scott.

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(37P3) 1857-61 24c lilac Washington plate proof on India paper, position 40R1 showing captured imprint at right, margins to just in at bottom but overall a fine position piece.

With 1999 Philatelic Foundation certificate, cat. value $1,250.

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(38TC5a) 1857-61 30¢ black trial color plate proof on wove paper, positions 50R-60R-70R, reconstructed to show progressive portions of the Toppan, Carpenter & Co. Philadelphia imprint and “No. 1” plate number.

Large margins to clear throughout, with rich detailed impressions and strong contrast. The top proof shows part of “PHILADELPHIA,” the middle with nearly complete imprint and plate number, and the bottom with full sheet margin, very fine and unique as an imprint-position reconstruction.

Cat. value $3,000 (as non-imprint single proofs).

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(38P1) 1857-61 30¢ orange Franklin large die proof on India, 58 x 56mm, off card. Slightly oxidized, but still an attractive and well-balanced example of this rare 30¢ die proof.

Unpriced in Scott.

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