Proofs & Essays

RD20E, PROGRESS PROOF INDIA DIE SUNK ON 150x220mm CARD	-	$2,500.00	9h 5m
RD20E, PROGRESS PROOF INDIA DIE SUNK ON 151x202mm CARD	-	$2,500.00	9h 5m
1870 BLUE ON BUFF ENTIRE ESSAY - XF & SCARCE	-	$450.00	9h 37m
R103TC, SUPERB TRIAL COLOR PROOF ON CARD - A GEM	-	$125.00	9h 48m
R124TC3, SUPERB TRIAL COLOR PROOF ON INDIA PAPER	-	$175.00	9h 48m
R103TC, R106TC, VF+ TRIAL COLOR PROOFS ON INDIA PAPER	-	$225.00	9h 48m
R114TC3, SUPERB TRIAL COLOR PROOF ON INDIA PAPER	-	$199.00	9h 48m
11-E10a, FULL SIZE 1851 DIE ESSAY - XF & SCARCE!	-	$899.00	10h 15m
67-E3h, DIE I ON BOND - "WALLS OF TROY" - RARE	-	$400.00	10h 21m
67-E3h, DIE I ON BOND - "WALLS OF TROY" - RARE	-	$400.00	10h 21m
255TC, DULL VIOLET - UNLISTED & SUPERB	-	$900.00	10h 21m
68P3, SUPERB BLOCK - PROOF ON INDIA	-	$400.00	10h 21m
217P3, PLATE PROOF ON INDIA MARGIN BLOCK OF 4 - SUPERB	-	$425.00	10h 21m
215P3, PLATE PROOF ON INDIA MARGIN BLOCK OF 4 - SUPERB	-	$625.00	10h 21m
214P3, PLATE PROOF ON INDIA MARGIN BLOCK OF 4 - SUPERB	-	$425.00	10h 21m
213P3, PLATE PROOF ON INDIA MARGIN BLOCK OF 4 - SUPERB	-	$425.00	10h 21m
11-E12a, 1851 ESSAY - DIE ON INDIA IN GREEN XF Cat $750	-	$399.00	10h 21m
79-E25a, 1867 3¢ ESSAY BLOCK - A SUPERB GEM Cat $200.00	-	$189.00	10h 21m
250TC1, TYPE I TRIANGLE - UNIQUE ! - SUPERB GEM	-	$1,750.00	10h 41m
69-E4a, 1861 DIE ESSAY - FILL SIZE ON ORIGINAL CARD XF	-	$950.00	10h 41m
67-E4f, 1861 ESSAY - COMPLETE DESIGN - SUPERB GEM	-	$199.00	11h 2m
67-E4f, 1861 ESSAY - COMPLETE DESIGN - SUPERB GEM	-	$199.00	11h 2m
67-E4f, 1861 ESSAY - COMPLETE DESIGN - SUPERB GEM	-	$199.00	11h 2m
67-E4f, 1861 ESSAY - COMPLETE DESIGN - SUPERB GEM	-	$199.00	11h 2m
67-E4f, 1861 ESSAY - COMPLETE DESIGN - SUPERB GEM	-	$199.00	11h 2m
566E 2 Diff 15¢ ESSAYS 4th BUREAU ISSUE ON EXHIBIT PAGE	-	$1,500.00	11h 30m
157P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF SUPERB GEM	-	$399.00	11h 30m
158P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF SUPERB GEM	-	$399.00	11h 30m
159P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF EXTREMELY FINE "PINK"	-	$850.00	11h 30m
149P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF EXTREMELY FINE GEM	-	$349.00	11h 30m
164P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF EXTREMELY FINE GEM	-	$450.00	11h 30m
151P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF EXTREMELY FINE GEM	-	$349.00	11h 30m
571P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF EXTREMELY RARE GEM	-	$1,500.00	11h 30m
242P1, FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF GEM App Cat $900.00	-	$675.00	11h 30m
65Pa, PROOF PAIR ON STAMP PAPER - VF Cat $1, 000.00	-	$399.00	11h 30m
68P1, SUPERB GEM FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF	-	$750.00	11h 30m
65P1, SUPERB GEM FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF Cat $1, 000.	-	$799.00	11h 30m
72P1, SUPERB GEM FULL SIZE LARGE DIE PROOF	-	$750.00	11h 30m

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Stamp News

The best thing about starting a stamp collection is how easy it can be. Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting Stamp Collecting - Beginners Guide to Stamps - About Guide Postage ...Enter the fascinating world of stamp collecting!

Stamp History

The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840. It pictured a young Queen Victoria, was produced without perforations (imperforate), and consequently had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the "Penny Black" are quite scarce, used examples are common, and may be purchased for $25 to $150, depending upon its condition. Children and teenagers were early collectors of stamps in the 1860s and 1870s. Many adults dismissed it as a childish pursuit. During the late 1800s many of those collectors, as adults, began to systematically study the available postage stamps and published research works on their production, plate flaws, etc. Some stamps such as the triangular issues of the Cape of Good Hope became legendary. It was not until the 1920s that publicity about valuable stamps encouraged a large increase in the number of stamp collectors. This rapid increase in postage stamp values was largely because very few of the older stamps were being saved in good condition. Especially difficult to find were pairs, triples, and large blocks of older stamps. Because many U.S. stamp issues of the 1920s rose rapidly in value, during the 1930s many American collectors stockpiled mint U.S. stamps with the hopes of selling them for a sizeable profit in a few years time. This never materialized. Even today, more than 60 years later, one can find many 1930s U.S. issues in mint condition for close to face value, and many stamp dealers and collectors still use stamps issued as far back as the 1930s for postage when mailing letters. Most U.S. postage stamps issued since the 1930s are easy to obtain and have minimal value. Some high face value stamps, such as the $2.60 United States Graf issued in 1930, are worth substantial amounts of money. Other stamps issued since 1930 that are usually worth something are souvenir sheets from popular countries, hard to find plate number coils, and errors in printing.

Stamp Collecting

Collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist often does, but need not, collect the objects of study, nor is it necessary to closely study what one collects. Many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries. Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to philatelic investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store

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Proofs & Essays