Lot 681: 1869 US Stamp Proof Set in Presentation Album

Ten (10) 1869 Series US stamp proofs, bound in the original embossed leather album. All proofs are present as originally mounted and include: 1 cent Franklin, 2 cent Post Rider and Horse, 3 cent Locomotive, 6 cent Washington, 10 cent Shield & Eagle, 12 cent S.S. Adriatic, 15 cent Landing of Columbus, 24 cent Signing Declaration of Independence, 30 cent Shield, Eagle and Flag, and a 90 cent Lincoln. The album is titled “PROOFS. United States Postage Stamps, Series of 1869, Engraved by the National Bank Note Company, New York”. The album front endpaper inscribed in pencil “For T.M. Reed / Mayor of St. John / with compliments of / W.H.H. Terrell / Asst. P.M. Gen / U.S. / Aug 5, 1871”. 9 1/8″ H x 7 5/8″ W. Note: W.H.H. Terrell was the third Assistant US Postmaster General; Thomas M. Reed was the 26th Mayor of St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, serving from 1870-1874. History (Source: Alexander T Haimann, National Postal Museum ): The 1869 National Bank Note Pictorial Issue was the first series of U.S. stamps printed in two colors. It included ten denominations, ranging from 1 cent to 90 cents, with the 15-cent through 90-cent values being bi-color. These nearly square stamps were released around March 1869 and were in circulation for under a year. The public reacted negatively to the stamps due to factors like their design, shape, and the poor adhesive quality of the gum used to attach them to envelopes. As the first and only U.S. issue to feature multiple colors until 1918, the 1869 Pictorial Issue is considered a defining feature of the Classic Period in American philately.

CONDITION: The stamp images are bright and the colors are vivid. The 90-cent Lincoln stamp in this set has an unusual anomaly- two vertical lines on the right side, visible under magnification. Album binding and leather in very good condition with minor rubbing on the spine and book edges. Uneven toning on some pages.