US #2 Washinton 10 Cents Pair, Essay Or Proof?

Hey folks, hoping this is the right section (BOB) for proofs and essay issues.

Anyway if anyone can help feel free, this item is a pair of US #2, but appears to be an essay or a proof.

However,the paper is thicker than stamp paper but much thinner than card proof paper.

Honestly, Im lost in identifying this item.

Thank you in advance for your input and advice.

I cannot see too good from the scan but are they india paper on card?

Truth be told, this was a gamble for me. I really like the appearance of it and bought it without certainty of identity.

Have yet to receive the item in hand.

Scans are courtesy of the seller who represents that this is either an essay or a proof.

Actually, the design shown is consistent with the proofs issued in the late 1800's. These were government issued proofs. Because the original dies for the 1847 issues had been destroyed, per USPOD direction, by the original company, an entirely new set of plates and dies were created, thus giving collectors Scott 3 and Scott 4. This is the latter.

Here's an example of the card proof from my collection, Scott 4P4.




When you receive it, I'd be interested in seeing some scans of it.

Stampman2002 - thank you so much for the information and as soon as I receive them (yes purchased a similar #1 pair also) will upload better scans to this topic thread.

I had studied many of the early 1847 essays and proofs but also had a suspicion that the appearance was in line with the 3 or 4 re-issues.

These are the sellers scans of the #1 pair mentioned above.




Also I should add that the swedish tiger website is an excellent resource for images of the many proofs and essays for these early issues.

What are those discolorations on both pairs?
Don

Im really not sure they have not arrived yet, but should have them in hand next week and will upload my scans and pictures which I hope will be clearer.

Anyone familiar with the reverse side of essays and proofs care to chime in on if this is common to have this type of discoloration or unusual?

If you can show pictures of the back of your stamps would be great. I remember seeing that some of the essays and proofs have green and yellow tint? visible on the face.

According to James Lee's reference page which only shows the face of the 1847 essays and proofs, there can be seen green hues or tints due to the color of bond paper used. Unsure if this coincides with the discoloration noted above.

I think better images will reveal that they are nothing more than crude facsimiles.

Did you buy them on ebay?

Yes, I did. The seller claims they are genuine. If not then I'll get a full refund. I hope they arent facsimiles but the pitfalls of purchasing on ebay is a hot topic on this forum. If they are not genuine it will be an interesting thread and another seller added to the list. We will see.

I am firmly with Winston on this one the more I look at the scans. The impressions are poor quality. The paper appears to be of poor quality, not something that was produced as an essay or proof. The pair of ten cent Washington's has the strange guideline looking dashes at the top which look exactly the same and do not appear to have been engraved. There are other things that do not seem right. I am not an expert in this area but have owned many of these genuine items. Harmer sold most of mine in their last auction and so I have none to share pics of right now.

I appreciate the feedback hence the post.

I do agree the image appears to be more grainy then the 4P4 that you posted. I'll upload scans front and back when received and well take it from there.

Interestingly, Don (51studebaker) says this seller is APS and ASDA member.

You must be mistaken, I do not ever recall saying this about harvard-mba. In fact, I would never recommend buying from him.
Don