What Is This Red Carrier Lo1 Die Proof/Essay

I recently won an auction lot with some interesting proofs. I have several questions and I hope nobody minds that I'm going to post several posts about some of the mysteries I'm trying to figure out.

The first is this Franklin LO1 Die Proof. The original album labels it "Die Proof E16, Nopal Red." Whoever marked it up for auction labeled it "LO1E3." There is no "LO1E3" that I can find in my 2019 Scott's Specialized. I don't see any Essays for the Carriers at all listed. There is an LO1P3 listed, but this is not a plate proof, and it would be blue and not red. I do see an orange trial color listed: LO1TC5a plate proof on wove paper, but this looks like a die proof to me.

What is this?

your item appears to be an essay........LO1_E1A or an LO1-E3 or Lo1-E4. see page 912 int he 2019 Scott Cat. I am not up on these enough to id it from the scan, but lean toward the latter.

I agree, it's a die essay, there are differences in the design inside the oval around Franklin.

James Lee likely reviewed this material from the last Siegel Auction and will have first hand familiarity with it.

LO1-E3a DIE ESSAY ON PROOF PAPER (SCARLET)

Awesome! Thank you. I have a lot of trouble navigating the proof and essay sections of the catalog. I didn't see the essays for locals at all.