Abnc Auction Of Specimen's From 1990 - Canal Zone Specimens

Anyone know if there is a source for the Christie's 1990 auction of the American Banknote Company Archives. Was hoping to find something on-line with the auction catalog and realizations. I have come in possession of some of the Canal Zone overprints of the Arms of Panama set. There are penciled numbers on the back and curious if that relates to auction lot number or have some other significance.

House: Christie's Robson-Lowe, New York
Full title: The American Bank Note Company Archives, United States Possessions, Latin America and Worldwide; sold by order of the United States Banknote Corporation
Date: Sep 12, 1990
Catalog number: 7106
Other: Sale code = ABN-7106
Items sold:
lots 1-114: stamps from U.S. possessions (6 color images, 47 B&W images)
lots 115-690: stamps from Latin America (8 color images, 288 B&W images)
lots 691-837: stamps from rest of world (4 color images, 50 B&W images)

I have a copy of the catalog with the price realization sheet. While I don't intend to scan an entire copyrighted catalog, I can try to answer specific questions.

Many of the Canal Zone lots in those sales were bought by Albert F. Chang (AFC) who eventually broke up the sheets and noted original plate positions in the sheets on the gum side. The current Scott US Specialized does give a value of $45.00 to each of the values above 1c and 2c values and a value of $25.00 to the 1c and 2c. Most all of the American Bank Note Co. Specimens are priced in the Scott Catalogue. Based on limited viewing those prices are generally less than the prices E-Bay sellers are asking. Who is right, the market will tell.

Could you post a copy of the reverse of one of the stamps you have?

wtcrowe thank you for the comment on AFC. As you can see the back of each stamp is initialed AFC, along with the plate number (realized that was the plate number after looking at the normal 68 and 69 plate blocks I have), then it lists the position.

That answered part of the question I had about the catalog. I was curious how they were sold. Full sheets, blocks, singles, etc. I'll do another post for John on the catalog questions.

Here is are the specimens 68S and 69S along with the unissued 5c - 1b. Interesting that they all have a reported 300 stamps, except the 2c only has 194?

On the booklet pane side the issues list F7428 as the plate, which is different than my normal plate blocks and specimens I have. Scott lists 69 panes of #68 and 71 panes of the #69.

No AFC initials on these though. Same writing though.

John - were these sold as individual panes as pictured or as larger sheets that were cut down?

John - final question for you. I also procured proofs on cards of the original Panama 234-243 issue that the CZ overprints are based.

Again were they sold individually or larger pieces that were broken down.

I found a copy of the catalog for sale, so for you do you feel it is a useful reference? I also need to see if this is something APS or WPL will lend.

Once I can beef up my covers of 68 and 69, I'll be ready to exhibit. Also have the Panama set and overprints that Panama used along with some covers.

The Canal Zone 68-68 material appears on one page with an example photo and 5 lots:




The PR's are:
51 = 2090
52 = 5720
53 = 11550
54 = 11550
55 = 12650 (prices include 10% buyers premium)

Panama sheet plate proofs seem to come from this lot, no illustration:

PR = $4620
Die proofs and booklet pane proofs were in other lots.

This is the first time I have used this particular catalog, but it is not an area I collect. It is part of my auction catalog collection shelved with a couple thousand others. Gut opinion, any collector specializing in an area should invest in the appropriate literature.

Thank you John. Very helpful