Specialized Proof And Essay Dealers?

Are there any dealers that specialize in U.S. proofs and essays? I had found that William Langs was a good resource once upon a time, but I've had little luck finding anyone of recent. I've looked at Hipstamp and ebay, but it's a bit of a roll of the dice. Thanks for any leads!

Have you checked the back of the APS journal where all the stamp dealers advertise ? Sometimes it pays,


Peter

Peter, I have not, but that's a great idea! Thanks!

http://www.stampnewsnow.com/images/...hilately.pdf

Claims semi-retired? Maybe just from shows?

Hello, fellow piano man!

Not sure if posting links to dealer websites is allowed, so I'll just list a few sources by name:

Revenue Essays & Proofs
Richard Friedberg and Eric Jackson

Postage
HB Philatelics offers a fair selection of postage essays/proofs, though he has many more in his stock than listed on his website

Phil Bansner (under the Stamps category, search for keywords "essay" or "proof")

Henry Gitner (look for listings under Back of the Book)

There are many others, but those are the dealers who immediately come to mind.

If you've dealt with Langs in the past then you probably know the name Jim Lee. He is now semi-retired but periodically sends out an email newsletter with essay & proof offerings. I wouldn't be able to get you that information because I don't have enough posts on this forum yet to qualify for emailing other members. But perhaps someone else can steer you in Jim's direction.

ebay and HipStamp are great sources of essay/proof items, and if you've collecting for a while you'll have an idea of who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't. Prices run the gamut. You'll find some great deals as well as listings that are vastly overpriced.

HTH

See the following:
https://stampsmarter.org/Learning/H...amesLee.html
https://www.americanstampdealer.com...r_Niche.aspx

Jim Lee is mostly retired but sends out a biweekly e-mail newsletter with some essay and proof material as well as stamps, postal history and books. His most recent newsletter was earlier today and he reported that he recently had some health issues and is shutting-down his business until September. The e-mail is the posts above are out-of-date, his current e-mail is stamps71@gmail.com.

Thank you, everyone, for weighing in. Some of these dealers I had not discovered yet, so there is much to explore!

I had not heard of James Lee, so that is a new potential resource. However, I can't seem to access his website. I get a "HTTP Error 400".

My luck on ebay has been scattershot at best. There are some offerings that look fake to my untrained eye, but it's hard to tell. I have much more to learn.

Jim's website hasn't been operational for quite some time. The best way to contact him would be to write to him at the address in SPQR's post.

pianoman, are there specific items you're looking for?

As for offerings that look fake, there are a few Scott (and previously Brazer)-listed essays that look fake and (IMO) probably are. But those are few and far between.

In recent years, there have been a few sellers on ebay hawking absolutely bogus essays and proofs, and you'd have to be fairly knowledgable to realize that. Most of those sellers have been shut down or have moved on. But if you're wondering about the authenticity of certain items, consider posting screenshots or links to the listings to get opinions.

PhilaFactor, yes, there is a specific proof I am looking for at the moment - a 164P4.

I have found one that the seller is willing to part with for $50, but I don't know if the image has been retouched. It just looks really washed out. Maybe it's completely fine, but I don't have enough experience to know if it's not. I have attached an image and would greatly appreciate any input from the experienced proof collectors. The image is below.

I would also certainly appreciate any leads to a nice, clean, fairly-priced copy.

The color does seems a little light (especially above "OST" of "POSTAGE"), and the ruled line background for the vignette has a harsh appearance. But that's not to say it's not a legitimate copy or that the photo's been manipulated. (Seems like a cell phone photo, as the LRH corner is out of focus).

I found the listing online. 164P4 cats for $30. He's got it listed for $60, and you're saying he'd let it go for $50. Not sure that paying $20 over cat is worth it unless you really must have it now. And if you purchased it and weren't happy with it, the seller doesn't accept returns. I'd suggest asking the seller if he can send you an actual scan. Then you might get a better idea of the color and print quality of the proof by comparing it with the listing photo.

Two things come to mind:

1. Wade into the swimming pool of proofs slowly from the shallow end to get your feet wet first. Buy a few things and study them. Don't pay over catalog for anything for the first 6 months or more, until you have advanced a bit to better understand the types of proofs and the availability.

2. The Ebay/Paypal policies make essentially EVERYTHING returnable regardless of any seller "conditions". This item would be returnable if you did not like it for some reason, real or imagined.

I was thinking the same thing about the color. In fact, it just doesn't seem to be the correct shade compared to other images I've seen. And, yes, I knew it was overpriced compared to catalog. I just don't know enough about proofs to know if and when higher prices are warranted. Meaning, is there something exceptional about this example that warrants the higher price? If there was a cert than I would say probably. If it is

I will ask them for a scan. I would like to get one soon, but I don't want to be taken for a ride either. I'll be keeping my eyes open, for sure.

John, thanks for the advice. I've been collecting for decades and even still I find myself thinking that I know more than I really do just because of that time. This forum is amazing at being a reality check.

Wading-in example: About 30 years ago, pre-ebay era, I became interested in a particular publisher of postcards. They seemed fairly available at postcard shows, I decided to cllect them, buy only those at $1-2 each for the first year or so and accumulated several hundred. Over time, I expanded my knowledge of what existed and gradually to pay more for those I have not seen. Patience has resulted in a 80-90%-completion without overpaying too often. Since they were mass-produced, I could pass on an overpiced new card, take notes of its existence, and look for another example.

PhilaFactor, I contacted the seller and that is the best photo I'm going to get. I'll pass on this one. I would like a nice copy and I'm sure one will pop up sometime.

John, funny you mention postcards. I've been collecting them (specific to my interests) for over 35 years, and I did the same thing: start by buying the cheap ones and get a feel for it. Now I have no problem spending a few hundred for that rare RPPC that I have never seen before.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. Greatly appreciated.

pianoman, do you attend stamp shows, major or local? Shows/bourses can sometimes be a good source of one-off proofs. I'll go to any table that advertises US (even if that's not their specialty) and ask if they have any US essays and proofs. If they do, it's usually one book that comes with the sales pitch "have a look and see if there's anything in there." Sometimes the pitch has been more literal, with the dealer tossing the book in my general direction (it's happened more than once, always amusing). I've made many pleasant discoveries this way, finding P4s and P3s orphaned from sets. So that's another potential source for you.