Lot
1572 
Post Office Seal Forerunner Cover, 1850. Folded letter from New York to Brookfield, Conn. with manuscript "Sept. 9th 1850 this letter opened by M. Throu by Mistake, H.S.P." endorsement at top, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Prior to the introduction of thee repair seals in 1877, postal officials handled problem mail on an "ad hoc" basis. Inconsistent handling of such mail led to the introduction of the official seals.
Realized: $230
Lot 1573 E
Official Seal, 1877, experimental ink essay, green trial color plate proofs mounted on paper. Paper with pencil inscription, "Oct 6th/81, Printed with regular 3ct. U.S. Stamp ink suppose to be proof against washing with either Benzine or Soap water, BP", initials of Butler Packard who was the frame engraver responsible for lathework, each proof showing the effects of washing., Very Fine and unique, ex-Christiansen, Chesapeake.Scott No. OX1-E Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $2,300
Lot
1574 E
Official Seal, 1877, experimental ink essay, green trial color plate proof on stamp paper. Perforated and gummed, block of four, bottom pair smudged from the effects of ink testing, Very Fine and unlisted, ex-Christiansen, Chesapeake. Scott No. OX1-E Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $850
Lot 1575 E
Official Seal, 1877, original pen-and-ink drawing on thick brown paper. Preliminary sketch referred to in two letters from the National Bank Note Company, Very Fine and unique, ex-Earl of Crawford, Christiansen, Chesapeake.Scott No. OX1-E1 Estimate $4,000 - 5,000.
The following is content from the National Bank Note Company letters that refer to the drawing: 10 February 1877, "Your favor of instructions came to hand this morning with draft of the Official Seal for use of the Dead Letter Office. Before engraving, we will make a drawing which will give you a fair idea of the design", and 19 February 1877, "Wherein we hand you model for dead letter stamp which we trust will please you".
Realized: $4,750
Lot 1576 E
Official Seal, 1877, composite model, engraved and watercolor design. Composite card proofs of intermediate dies, "post obitum", "vignette", "imprint" cut out and pasted to card with hand drawn and watercolor additions of frame and lettering, dated "Febry 21. 77." in ink and signed "Thos. F. Morris" in pencil by the designer., Very Fine and unique, ex-Christiansen, Chesapeake.Scott No. OX1-E2 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
This unique model is dated two days after the National Bank Note Company letter of 19 February 1877, in which they presented the pen-and-ink drawing to the Post Office Department. The National Banknote Co. presumably began the engraving shortly after sending the letter.
Realized: $4,750
Lot 1577 P
Official Seal, 1877, brown, hybrid large die proof sunk on card. 217x148mm full card, gilt edges on three sides, from official presentation album, Very Fine a rare large die proof that exists only in hybrid format.Scott No. OX1P1 $1,750.
Realized: $650
Lot
1578 P
Official Seal, 1877, brown, plate proof on India. Block of four, large margins, fresh and Very Fine. Scott No. OX1P3 $625.
Realized: $425
Lot 1579 P
Post Office Seal, 1877, red orange, trial color die proof on India. Die sunk on 102x72mm card, engraved die number "4585" above design, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Christiansen, Chesapeake.Scott No. OX1TC1 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A single set of seven trial color proofs in different colors were sent to the post office on March 6, 1877 to assist in color selection for the 1877 seal.
Realized: $950
Lot 1580 P
Post Office Seal, 1877, orange, trial color die proof on India. Die sunk on 102x71mm card, engraved die number "4585" above design, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Christiansen, Chesapeake.Scott No. OX1TC1 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $1,150
Lot 1581 P
Official Seal, 1877, black, trial color die proof on India. Removed from card and trimmed to 46x34mm, showing partial engraved die number "4585" above design, faults, Fine.Scott No. OX1TC1 $500.
Realized: $425