CSA Catalog U-T-1, Trial Die Impression from the original Archer & Daly steel plate. The cracked steel plate was in the possession of August Dietz and this impression was included as the centerpiece of the deluxe version of his 1929 opus, The Postal Service of The Confederate States of America.  The soft piece of steel shows an intaglio of Archer & Daly’s 10¢ and appears to have served as a matrix for trial impressions of the 20¢ transfer roll as well as parts of a 20¢ note of the Planters Insurance Trust and Loan Company. Archer & Daly produced a number of Southern banknotes. There is a faint bend at one end of the impression. A wonderfully collectible showpiece. CCV $175. $180.

CSA Catalog U-2-3b, Baltimore Section and Columbus Section of Ten Cent Altered plate – proof of each on opposite sides of paper. The altered plates, the 2¢ and the 10¢, were shipped through the blockade to Richmond. De La Rue did not print any stamps from these plates. When the plates arrived in the Confederacy, they were never used by the Confederacy. The subsequent history is speculation. One theory is that they were were captured by the North during battle. Supposedly, a federal soldier took the 10¢ altered plate and cut it into sections to give as Rebel souvenirs to friends. According to August Dietz. Frank Baptist - who printed the 5-cent stamps for Archer & Daly in 1863 - positively identified the plates. He superintended the souvenir printings of the Altered Plate. The "Columbus Section" was so called because it was moved to the Ohio State Museum in Columbus. Through the years, there have been many printings from various sections of the original plate. The Columbus Section is one of the most well known and common, the Baltimore section much more scarce. You will immediately note the differences in the two sections / sides - see the "notches" at left on the Columbus section. CCV $125. $125.

CSA Catalog 6-TCDf (SC 6TC1), 1862 5¢ black trial color die proof in black on glazed card, cut to stamp size, bit of edge soiling as usual for the 1862 proof, still Very Fine and Scarce, CCV $850, SCV $900. $550.

CSA Catalog 6-PPa (SC#6P5), gutter pair 5¢ blue plate proof from the only known sheet (since broken up), signed PAK, slight crease in gutter as to be expected, a copy of the 1976 PF Certificate for the discovery sheet (Robson Lowe) at the time. The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is most difficult to determine without a reference copy. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET A GUTTER PAIR OF THE TYPOGRAPHED ISSUE, AS THE ISSUED STAMPS WERE CUT INTO PANES OF 100 before being shipped by blockade runner from England. CCV $1,200.  $750.

CSA 6P5, Plate Proof, position D44, signed on verso in pencil by Robson Lowe, copy of 1976 PF certificate for full sheet (only recorded/found by Robson Lowe), CCV $150. $170.

CSA catalog 6-TCDc (Scott 6TC1de) 1862 5¢ black trial color die proof on card, pristine both back and front, 94 mm x 109 mm, no imprint, 2017 PF Certificate, CCV $1,500.  $1,600.

CSA Catalog 6-PPa (SC#6P5), pair 5¢ blue plate proof, positions B85/B86 from the only known sheet (since broken up), 1 stamp signed Robson Lowe, the other PA Kaufmann, copy of 1976 PF Certificate for the discovery sheet (Robson Lowe). The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is difficult to determine without a reference copy. CCV and SCV $150 for a single. $325.

CSA 6P5, Plate Proof, cross-gutter pair, top single signed PA Kaufmann and bottom Robson Lowe, usual crease in gutter as with all. The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is most difficult to determine without a reference copy. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET A GUTTER PAIR OF THE De La Rue TYPOGRAPHED ISSUE, AS THE ISSUED STAMPS WERE CUT INTO PANES OF 100 before being shipped by blockade runner from England. CCV $1,200. $650.

2¢ black, with frame lines, Trial Color Die Proof on Wove (CSA Catalog 8-TCDb). Margins showing full frame lines at bottom and left, intense shade, couple small thin spots. Fine appearing example of the rare 2-cent Confederate “Black Jack” trial color proof. All the known examples of the 2¢ Engraved essay/proof have frame lines, unlike the issued stamp. For this reason, it is can be argued they should be classified as essays. The Scott listings for this and the even rarer example in blue were clarified in the 2014 Specialized Catalogue. However, they are still listed as trial color proofs, and thus so listed here. CCV $4,000 for an example cut close showing no frame lines. RARE! $2,600.

CSA Catalog #6-TCDf, 5¢ black Trial Color Proof on glazed card, cut to stamp size, fresh, Very Fine, CSA Catalog Value $850, SCV $900, Scarce. $650.

CSA 6TC1 5¢ black Trial Color Die Proof on glazed card, cut to shape, tiny surface scrapes, toning, 2006 PF certificate, SCV $900. $400.

CSA Catalog U-1a, 2¢ deep green on ivory vellum, Altered Plate printed by August Dietz, block of 4, Very Fine, CCV as singles $12. $15

Listed in both Proofs and CSA 14 Sections

CSA Catalog 6-PPa (SC#6P5), gutter pair 5¢ blue plate proof, positions B95/D5 from the only known sheet (since broken up), 1 stamp signed Robson Lowe, the other PA Kaufmann, slight crease in gutter as to be expected, copy of 1976 PF Certificate for the discovery sheet (Robson Lowe). The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is difficult to determine without a reference copy. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET A GUTTER PAIR OF THE TYPOGRAPHED ISSUE AS THE ISSUED STAMPS WERE CUT INTO PANES OF 100 before being shipped by blockade runner from England. CCV $1,200, SCV $375. $500.

ALP2 2¢ deep green vertical pair (CSA Catalog U-1-a) ALTERED PLATE unofficial printing. Printed by August Dietz. Extremely Fine. $10.

CSA Catalog 6-U1-a, Ward (or Philadelphia) Private Printing made from authentic De La Rue printing plate captured from blockade runner Bermuda and now on display in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Printed in both black and a deceptive blue and sheets were ungummed. The stamp has a dull flat appearance. The outer frame line is slighter thicker than the genuine and the letters are not as thick. On most examples, Davis’ hair blends into the background. $5.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1b, 5¢ black Ward (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in blue and black from a complete plate of 400 that was on board the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $5.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1b, 5¢ black PAIR Ward (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in blue and black from a complete plate of 400 that was on board the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $10.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1b, 5¢ black BLOCK of 4 Ward (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in blue and black from a complete plate of 400 that was on board the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $25.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue PAIR Ward (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in blue and black from a complete plate of 400 that was on board the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $10.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue BLOCK of 4 Ward (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in blue and black from a complete plate of 400 that was on board the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $25.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue lower right corner block, unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in black and a deceptive blue from a complete plate of 400 that was aboard the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The stamp has a dull flat appearance. The outer frame line is slighter thicker than the genuine and the letters are not as thick. On most examples, Davis’ hair blends into the background. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $30.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue bottom sheet margin block, unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in black and a deceptive blue from a complete plate of 400 that was aboard the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The stamp has a dull flat appearance. The outer frame line is slighter thicker than the genuine and the letters are not as thick. On most examples, Davis’ hair blends into the background. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $30.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue vertical bottom sheet margin pair, unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in black and a deceptive blue from a complete plate of 400 that was aboard the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The stamp has a dull flat appearance. The outer frame line is slighter thicker than the genuine and the letters are not as thick. On most examples, Davis’ hair blends into the background. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $15.

CSA Catalog 6-U-1a, 5¢ blue right sheet margin single (Philadelphia) unofficial printing, ungummed as printed, Very Fine. Printed in black and a deceptive blue from a complete plate of 400 that was aboard the captured blockade runner Bermuda. Prints were made by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 1954 by Philip Ward. The stamp has a dull flat appearance. The outer frame line is slighter thicker than the genuine and the letters are not as thick. On most examples, Davis’ hair blends into the background. The printing plate is now in the Gross Gallery of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. $5.

CSA Catalog 6-PPa (Scott 6P5), 5¢ blue plate proof pair, positions B63-B64 from the only known sheet (since broken up), signed Robson Lowe, copy of 1976 PF Certificate for the discovery sheet by Robson Lowe. The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is very difficult to determine without a reference copy. CCV and SCV $150 for a single. $325.

CSA Catalog 14-PP (Scott 14TC5a), 1¢ orange plate proof on stamp paper, position 9, from the only known sheet (since broken up), signed PA Kaufmann, copy of 1976 PF Certificate for the discovery sheet by Robson Lowe. The proof has a yellow cast comparedto the regular issues, but is very difficult to determine without a reference copy. CCV $250. $275.

CSA Catalog 6-TCDf (SC 6TC1), 1862 5¢ black trial color die proof in black on glazed card, cut to stamp size, with ample margins, nice shade and impression, Very Fine, CCV $850. N.B. Item scans with a moiré pattern not present on the actual proof which has the proper horizontal lines behind the portrait. $600.

Baltimore Section of Ten-Cent Altered plate – CSA Catalog U-2-3a UNOFFICIAL PRINTING. The altered plates, both the 2¢ and the 10¢, were shipped through the blockade to Richmond. De La Rue did not print any stamps from these plates. When the plates arrived, they were never used by the Confederacy. The subsequent history is speculation. In his 1929 Confederate Postal Service opus, August Dietz relates the story of a hospital steward in the 95th Ohio Regiment by the name of Richard Glenn. Somehow, he came into possession of the plate and cut it into sections as Rebel souvenirs for friends. Also according to Dietz, Frank Baptist - who printed the 5-cent stamps for Archer & Daly in 1863 - positively identified the plates. He superintended various souvenir printings of the Altered Plate. The "Columbus Section" was so called because it was moved to the Ohio State Museum in Columbus. The “Baltimore Section” ended up with Glenn’s sister, Mrs. Anthony of Baltimore, Maryland; this block produced relatively few printings. Through the years, there have been many printings from various sections of the original plate and an unbelievable number of “created” productions in every color of the rainbow – they are worth relatively little. The Columbus Section is one of the most well-known and common, the Baltimore section much scarcer. A rare opportunity to acquire a print from the Baltimore Plate. Printed on quality card stock measuring 7” x 11”. CCV $175. $180.

CSA 6P5, Plate Proof on wove, single signed Robson Lowe. The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is most difficult to determine without a reference copy. The only recorded sheet was found by Robson Lowe in October 1976 in the De La Rue & Co. archives in London. Lowe bought the sheet and submitted it to the Philatelic Foundation and received certificate 57 584. He signed the back of each block and they were cut into blocks and singles over the years. Some singles have signatures of Leonard H. Hartmann or PA Kaufmann, but only if they were part of a block with Lowe’s signature. CCV $150. Ex Ralph Swap. $170.

CSA 6P5, Plate Proof on wove, single signed Robson Lowe and numbered position C76. The proof has a yellow cast compared to the regular issues, but is most difficult to determine without a reference copy. The only recorded sheet was found by Robson Lowe in October 1976 in the De La Rue & Co. archives in London. Lowe bought the sheet and submitted it to the Philatelic Foundation and received certificate 57 584. He signed the back of each block, and they were cut into blocks and singles over the years. Some singles have signatures of Leonard H. Hartmann or PA Kaufmann, but only if they were part of a block with Lowe’s signature. This example has a copy of the original certificate for the sheet, an undated H.E. Harris guarantee “certificate,” 1989 PF certificate, and a 1998 PF certificate. CCV $150. Ex Ralph Swap. $180.