James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 83 • 17

: Special Delivery ProofsE6P1 – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Large die proof10c Ultramarine, die proof pulled

on wove paper and die sunk on full size card blotter. This proof was

lot number 80 in the H.R. Harmer sale of the Roosevelt collection in

February 1946. At the time that Clarence Brazer wrote the essay

and proof portion of the sale he was only aware of one other copy of this proof, which was the approval copy.

The blue proving room number on the back is 328084. The Scott cata-log does not reflect the rarity of this proof. Ex-Franklin D. Roosevelt &

Markovits. (EP83-05) $3,750.00

E6P1 – Large die proof10c Dark Ultramarine, die proof pulled on wove paper and die sunk on full size card blotter. There are only three recorded copies of this die proof. One is the approval copy which was in the Markovits sale and the other is the FDR copy also offered here. Both were purchased from the Markovits estate and were not part of his exhibit collection. The blue proving room number on the back is 349296. The Scott catalog does not reflect the rarity of these proofs, nor does it list this shade. Ex-Markovits (EP83-06) $3,500.00

E1-E3P3 – India plate proofsA choice set of plate proofs of the first three Special Delivery issues on India paper, XF (EP83-07) $150.00

E1-E3P4 – Card proofsA choice set of plate proofs of the first

three Special Delivery issues on card board. (EP83-08) $130.00

18 • James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 83

Essay & Proof Literature & Auction Catalogs

Essays for U.S. Adhesive Postage Stamps Brazer, 1941, 236p, HB. First Edition. The seminal work on the subject. $100.00

Essays for U.S. Adhesive Postage Stamps 1977 Quarterman reprint, 295p, HB. Contains all addenda to the 1941 edition, as published in the APS Journal during the mid-’40’s. Very scarce! $125.00

Historical Catalog of United States Stamp Essays and Proofs: 1847 Issue Brazer, 1947, 32p, Card cover. Contains information of the five different card proof printings. $25.00

Essays for United States Postage Stamps Mason, 1911, 90p, soft CC. Expands the 1899 cataloging efforts of J. K. Tiffany and became the basis for Dr. Brazer’s work. There are no illustrations but each essay is well described. $25.00

An Historical Catalog of United States Stamp Essays and Proofs: The Omaha, Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898 Brazer; 1939, 48 p; Card cover. The definitive background story from inception through production. $20.00

The United States 1869 Issue: An Essay-Proof History Schueren, 1974, 127p, HB. Fascinating story behind the develop-ment and production of the 1869 issue. $50.00

The United States 1869 Issue: An Essay - Proof HistoryDeluxe edition w/slipcase. $75.00

Auction CatalogsThese four sales will illustrate for you about 70% or more of

the known types United States essays and proofs.

Brazer - The Clarence Brazer Collection of U.S. Essays and Proofs / Robert A. Siegel, Sale No. 726, June 27, 1990, with 2190 lots, illustrations and P/R. This is the finest accumulation of essays and proofs ever offered at auction. $25.00

Chesapeake - The “Chesapeake” Collection of U.S. Proofs and Essays MBI, Sale no. 300, Mar. 14, 2006, 541 lots in full color, includes prices realized. The missing Brazer stock was the main source of this collection. $20.00

Finkelburg - The Falk Finkelburg Collection of U.S. Essays and ProofsRAS, Sale no. 816, Sept. 29, 1999. This full color catalog is proving to be an invaluable reference for collectors of essays and proofs. Hardbound copy with prices realized. $35.00As Above, the softbound edition with prices realized. $25.00

Hackett - The Robert P. Hackett Collection of U.S. Essays and Proofs HRH Sale no. 981 -984, Feb, 6 – 9, 1956, 1906 lots, photo plates throughout, with prices realized. This was the first significant col-letion of essays and proofs top be offred at auction. $30.00

Building a Basic Essay & Proof Reference Library

Shipping:$5.00 for the

first book, $1.00 a book thereafter.

James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 83 • 19

As I See It...By Jim Lee

By Jim Lee

Philately

Website: www.jameslee.com

James E. Lee's

Grateful for the Honor

is a publication of James E. Lee, LLCP.O. Box 3876, Oak Brook, IL 60522-3876 E-Mail: jim @jameslee.com. Phone: (847) 462-9130

www.JamesLee.comPhone: (847) 462-9130 • Email: jim@jameslee.com

Without any doubt, we areAmerica’s key buyer of the

kind of material you see here.

When selling, always be sure to get our offerfor your collection...first. Call us.

Essays and ProofsU.S. Postal History

Fancy CancelsCivil War Letters & Covers

I received the inaugural “APS Stamp Dealer of the Year Award” during the Saturday night banquet at StampShow in Richmond this past month.

This award belongs to all of you who have supported and encouraged me over the past 27 years. When I left the world of business in May of 1990, I could only dream about the journey before me. Driven by my passion for philately, overcoming a couple of missteps, and then finally developing a niche that has served me well over the years brought me to where I am today. Along the way, many in my client base became friends that I cherish, writing went from being a laborious chore to something I dearly love, and the involvement on the part of my children and my wife Melanie strengthened my sense of family. As you will read: “This has truly been a great ride.” Here is the text of my remarks

Thank you, Eric [Jackson], for the presentation and for 38 years of collaboration [especially the 4 years of serving as ASDA Past President when I was President—I couldn’t have done it without you].

I am so very honored and grateful to receive this award. Philately, for me, began on Christmas Day in 1955. Under

the tree was a Minkus My First Stamp Album which became the catalyst for a lifetime in philately. There are many who have impacted my journey.

My Mother and Father encouraged me to be curious, creative, and entrepreneurial, all of which have served me well. I literally became a stamp dealer when I was 12 years old.

Many, many dealers have been instrumental in my career, especially Falk Finkelburg and Dick Taylor who taught me so much about essays and proofs. Rich Drews and I have worked together, traveled together, and been best friends for over 40 years. Simply put, he’s always been there for me. I’m grateful to Jim Bardo, and Richard Friedberg for their friendship and wise counsel with all things ASDA. They both continue to remind me that it’s always a good thing to have a sense of humor.

My clients have provided such meaningful relationships. I so enjoy their continual search for knowledge. As each of you have experienced, many have become more than clients; they are my friends. Their trust and faith in me is something I treasure.

For me, the number 13 is NOT unlucky. It’s the number of people that mean the world to me. Our children Jason, Adam, Kristen, & Joel have all worked and continue to work in my busi-ness—including international shows, office work, and of course IT help. Their spouses Taylor, Becky [in 21 days], Christopher, and Allison have also been a wonderful source of support. And then there are our four grandsons [our infield] Parker, Hunter, Lucas, and Ethan. They define joy and love.

Finally, I thank my wife Melanie, the love of my life for al-most two decades. She has been a constant source of inspiration, my greatest sounding board, and the very best companion on this incredible journey. Her impact on my life is immeasurable.

This has been such a great ride. I hope that all of you enjoy your “fourth quarter of life” as much as I’m enjoying mine. Thank you again.

20 • James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 83

Phone: (847) 462-9130 Email: jim@jameslee.com

www.JamesLee.com

P.O. Box 3876 • Oak Brook, IL 60522-3876

We’re Buying

How may we help you?

Individual pieces, accumulations, collections or exhibitsWe will make a cash offer upon the evaluation of your philatelic holdings. Upon acceptance of our

offer, immediate payment is made. For collections valued in excess of $50,000 we will travel to your home, office, or bank. If we feel your collection is better suited for auction we will advise you

on where best to place it and handle the transaction for you.

Essays, Proofs & Specimens Civil War Postal History

19th & Early 20th Century Postal History Fancy Cancels

Just some of the properties we have handled:Wilson Gold Medal Small Bank Note Issue ExhibitBarwis Gold Medal Three-cent Continental Exhibit

William Weiss Gold Medal 15c Large Bank Note Issue ExhibitStephen Pacetti One-cent 1861 Essay & Proof CollectionThe Eight Volume “Naples” Collection of Fancy Cancels

A Gold Medal C11 Beacon Air Mail ExhibitFacilitated the sale of The “Lake Shore” estate which brought $6,000,000

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