James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 84 • 17

Carrier & Special Delivery Proofs

LO2P2 – Roosevelt small die proof 1c Blue, Eagle carrier small die proof on wove paper still affixed to a por-

tion of the original gray card backing, VF. (EP84-22) $400.00

LO1P4 & LO2P41c Blue, Franklin carrier & Eagle carrier plate proofs on card, XF set. (EP84-23)

$60.00

LO1P2 - Roosevelt small die proof 1c Blue, Franklin carrier small die proof

on wove paper affixed to the original gray card backing, XF. (EP84-21) $400.00

E1P2-E3P2 – Roosevelt small die proofs Set of the first three special delivery issue Roosevelt small die proofs on wove paper affixed to the original gray card backing.

Beautiful color and impression, a premium set. (EP84-24) $800.00

LO2TC4 – Atlanta trial color plate proofs Complete set of five colors, Atlanta trial color plate proofs on card. Outstanding margins for

this issue. (EP84-25) $750.00

LO1P3 - Block1c Blue, Franklin carrier plate proof on India paper, sound, block. Very scarce! (EP84-26) $225.00

LO1P3 - Pair1c Blue, Franklin carrier plate proof on India paper, sound, vertical sheet margin pair. Very scarce! (EP84-27) $125.00

18 • James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 84

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. $40.00

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

Building a Basic Essay & Proof Reference Library

Shipping:$5.00 for the

first book, $1.00 a book thereafter.

Livingston - The W. Curtis Livingston Collection of United States 20th Century Essays and Proofs SPG, Sale June16, 2006, 507 lots in full color, includes prices realized. Well written lot descriptions, a great reference! $25.00

James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 84 • 19

As I See It...By Jim Lee

By Jim Lee

CrossroadsWhen I joined the American Stamp Dealers Associa-

tion, in January of 1991, the membership stood at just over 900, and New York shows would draw

125 booth holders. Today there are just over 300 members and the New York shows draw 35 dealers. This is the result of a declining show dealer population, based on age, rising show participation costs, and the meteoric rise of the Internet.

Our product delivery system has radically changed in just the past decade. An increasing percentage of stamps and covers are now being acquired, by collectors, from dealers on eBay and through private websites. The number of dealers conducting business in this manner is growing at a rapid pace. This pres-ents two problems. First, this new generation of dealers are not joining ASDA, the premier hobby trade organization. Second, many of the show dealers are not comfortable developing an Internet presence.

Under the direction of Tami Jackson, the newly elected ASDA president, Dana Guyer, association executive director, and long-time board member, Stanley Piller, these two prob-lems are being addressed. Let’s examine the second one first.

Over the years I have found dealers to be a very independent lot. If we had 25 members at an open meeting you would have roughly 25 differing opinions. Independence is a hallmark of the trade. It is what creates the great diversity of material one finds at stamp shows. However, that same independence can be a roadblock to change. The opportunity is to assist these mem-bers with developing an additional avenue to reach the market-place and increase sales.

Show dealers are the face of the hobby today. These men and women are my colleagues, the people that I respect, and have turned to, over the years, for both advice and wisdom. I believe that shows will continue to play an important role in the future of the hobby.

Currently, seminars are being developed, to teach dealers the basics of website development and selling on the web. Change can be daunting, but there are no limits to the rewards that can be achieved from participating in these programs.

Stanley Piller has come up with an ingenious way to get In-ternet dealers to become members of the ASDA For the past year, Stan has been in discussions with eBay—focusing on how the two organizations can work together. This program has yet to be finalized and put into place, but I can share with you some of the points being developed.

Buying stamps and covers on eBay, or any other commer-cial website, is a” buyer beware” experience. Over the years there have been any number of fake cancellations, reperforated or problem stamps, and bogus covers offered for sale. Policing efforts have not approached the level necessary to keep these types of spurious material from being sold. It has even become the marketplace for selling forged modern postage stamps in quantity.

The idea is to promote the ASDA “Code of Conduct” on eBay. Identify those dealers, who are ASDA members using eBay, and thus insuring buyers that they will receive a product that has been accurately described. The buyer’s satisfaction is also guaranteed.

Becoming a member of the ASDA and living by the “Code of Conduct” will elevate and set the seller apart from those that are just throwing up listings too good to be true. Please take a moment and visit: amercianstampdealer.com. Click on “About ASDA” and then click on “Code of Conduct”.

Both ideas have the potential to help both the hobby and the association.

The marriage of the Internet and Philately has had a positive, profound impact on our hobby. It has also brought about change at a very rapid pace. To constantly embrace change will help one to navigate any difficult crossroads.

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

Philately

Website: www.jameslee.com

James E. Lee's

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

20 • James E. Lee’s Philately • Whole No. 84

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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