Questions About Proofs & Essays

Hi all

Through the years I have seen proofs in catalogs, online, etc. I don't quite understand the whole "proof" thing...

As far as I know, when a general printer sets up a job, they run proofs to make sure everything is ready before the run begins. BUT, why are stamp proofs on thick paper, or card stock? Why not on standard paper and just not perf'd? Why are so many available for sale? How did they get on the market in the first place?

How to they differ from essays? Are proofs always the final design, and essays trial designs?

I am thinking about the classic US issues, but I assume proofs and essays exist for all countries?

Hi Nells--

I think that this link is useful--

http://www.stamp-collecting-world.c...s_1861E.html

I'm not very knowledgeable about proofs and essays either, but intrigued. I bought an ebay lot a few weeks ago, not for the stamps, but for the proofs- the dealer offered the classic US Stamp along with the proof, and the price ended up almost ridiculously low, something like $50.



I was told by a dealer at our local club when I showed them to him that some of them can be fakes-- I can't remember the name of the item, but there were some proof images sold back in the 60's, as entire sets, on a card, that I imagine could be trimmed. So on my last submission to Bill Weiss I asked him just to identify the 1c, and it was a 206P4, the card proof. The images are so crisp, and I just love the Black Jack.

I have an essay, but only because I've wanted one of the "August Issues" (Premiere Gravure), for about 20 years-- and the used 62B is out of my price range, but recently bought the 65E-15h, which used to be US #56 until the August Issues were reclassified as Essays, and not stamps.




Hope the website helps-- thanks, Ray

Hi - your post about that lot is actually what made me decide to ask the general questions! :-) Something tells me this line of collecting requires a lot of knowledge to help figure out fakes, later printings not intended to be cut down, etc.

Nells- I just found the name of the product I was referring to: voncorp EDUCARDS. If you google, you'll find them out there. I think the dealer I spoke with had seen some of these cut out and passed as actual proofs, instead of being pictures of proofs....

Have a great weekend-- Ray

Briefly, the difference between 'proof' and 'essay'... If the design of the item is identical to the issued stamp [even though the paper or ink may be different - then it is a PROOF. If the design is different - then it is an ESSAY.

Nice Questions, Nells.

Here is an item I acquired years ago. I think it was supposed to be a proof. Don't know anything else...