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| Lot | Sym. | Lot Description | Est/Cat | Realized |
| 383° | P |
 The Boutwell Presentation Album of United States Proofs. The album is meticulously bound in leather with gold hand-tooling and is contained in a matching carrying case. The volume's cover is embellished
with a sterling plaque inscribed "Hon. George S. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, United States of America".Measuring 22 by 15 inches and weighing almost 40 pounds, the album displays some 40 pages with approximately 400 proofs, including First, Second and Third Issue revenues, proprietary issues, and the private die issues for match and medicine companies. Many of the proofs are mounted in pairs and blocks, and every page is artfully arranged. Among the highlights of the proofs are examples of the $500 and $5,000 Persian Rug issues, so named for their elaborate multicolored designs. The $5,000 was never issued and exists only as a proof. One of the rarest of the private die stamps is shown in proof form. It is the Thos. E. Wilson 4c Black, of which there exists only one issued stamp and a small number of proofs. George S. Boutwell was the first United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue, receiving his appointment in 1862, the year in which the precursor to the Internal Revenue Service was created. This now-familiar institution was established during the Lincoln administration to collect the wide range of new taxes required to finance the Civil War. In his role as the first commissioner, Boutwell advertised for bids from a number of security printers to design and produce revenue stamps. The successful bidder was the Philadelphia firm of Butler and Carpenter, which was later to become part of the American Bank Note Company. In 1874 the album now offered for sale was presented to George S. Boutwell by one of Butler and Carpenter's principals, Joseph R. Carpenter. In the accompanying January 7th letter, Carpenter describes the contents as "every internal revenue adhesive stamp, public and private, engraved and printed from the date of your appointment as first Commissioner of Internal Revenue until after your resignation from the distinguished position of Secretary of the Treasury of the United States." Joseph R. Carpenter's dedication reads: "...It would seem particularly appropriate that you alone, under whose direction and supervision all internal revenue adhesive stamps of the old and new varieties have been made and issued, should own such a volume, and if its possession be a gratification to you, I shall be more than doubly repaid for the care and labor bestowed on its preparation..." (January 7, 1874). The album presented to George S. Boutwell was recorded in his memoirs, Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs. A note on the flyleaf indicates that he gave the album to his daughter in 1883. It is offered here for the first time at public auction (Image Magnifier) |
E. 30,000-40,000 | 50,000.00 |
| 384° |
 $200.00 Green & Red, U.S.I.R.
(R102c). Vertical strip of three, incredibly rich colors, neat "EDM/Sept. 19, 1868" ms. cancels, a fresh and Very Fine strip, with 1988 P.F. certificate (Image Magnifier) |
1,975.00 | 1,250.00 | |
| 385° |
 1872, 30c Orange
& Black, Inverted Center (R140a). Bright color, well-centered, neat blue cancel, Extremely Fine and choice example of this rare Third Issue invert, with 1997 P.S.E. certificate (Image Magnifier) |
2,250.00 | 0.00 | |
| 386° | P |
 $1.00 1936 Hunting Permit, Large Die Proof (RW3P1). Die sunk on 8 x 6 in. card, backstamped "ENGRAVER'S STOCK PROOF/AUTHORIZED BY" with initials, control number 722517A, semi-circle punch in left denomination tablet,
Very Fine, extremely rare (Image Magnifier) |
E. 4,000-5,000 | 3,000.00 |