Jay Smith & Associates: Slania: Monaco: Proofs

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Slania: Monaco: Proofs - Page 4

All items are VF and fresh, and Scott numbers stated, unless otherwise described.

Proofs take a variety of forms and represent the progress of the creation of the final stamp image. Die proofs of the unfinished design ("stages") can show the work of the engraver as it progress, while the final die proof shows the finished engraving. Because die proofs are typically pulled from the actual original engraving, the impression quality is typically superior to that of the issued stamp. A "sunken" die proof has the die impression in an embossed area that "frames" it. Color proofs are experiments or trials to determine which color(s) best present the image. In the case of multi-colored stamps, slightly changes in the combinations of colors can make dramatic differences in the final stamp image.

Discussions with experts on proofs of Monaco and the "French area" have given me the following understanding...

Monaco die proofs were prepared in two types: "final" and "stage" (unfinished design). Typically about 19 final die proofs are prepared; of these more are black (typically 10) plus perhaps 3 each of 3 other colors. The die proofs are normally single color. Some examples, at least of the black, usually exist in private hands. The "stage" die proofs, at least as officially released (i.e. other than proofs prepared by the engraver to check on progress), typically exist at only a single stage of the engraving process; typically only 3 "stage" die proofs are prepared (and may or may not exist in private hands).

Plate/Color proof sheets were prepared of both the stamps issued in sheets of 10 (usually the larger-format stamps) and the sheets of 30 stamps. The sheets of 10 are typically printed on a 6-color press, while the sheets of 30 stamps are typically printed on a 3-color press. It appears that typically 13 different proof sheets were prepared; each of the 13 contains different colors and/or combinations of colors, thus each of the 13 sheets would typically look dramatically different. It seems that only ONE of each of these 13 proof sheets exists/existed in private hands (and many have been broken up over the years). The proof sheets of 10 stamps typically contain all-different colors or combinations of colors, thus each individual proof may be unique in private hands! The proof sheets of 30 stamps for single-color stamp issues typically repeat only the 3 single colors (they were printed on a 3-color press) and do not include color combinations; because of the 6-row by 5-column configuration and the way the colors are used, typically one color exists in 6 more examples than the other two colors. The proof sheets of 30 stamps for multi-color stamp issues typically contain 6 sets or 3-strips of 3 single colors, plus an additional 6 examples of one of the single colors, plus typically 6 2-color or 3-color combinations. Those particular color combinations thus typically appear to be unique in private hands.

Monaco is one of the few "Slania countries" from which any form of proof material is available to collectors. Such material is completely legitimate, usually bearing an official control imprint (some issues exist without the marking, but seem to be much scarcer in that form), often being presented to government officials or other dignitaries, or being sold on behalf of the postal museum. Proofs of Monaco Slania-engraved stamps are scarce and very much sought after.

All items are VF and fresh. If you are seeking this type of material, please let me know of your interest; such items seldom make it into my price lists. I am always interested in buying such material.

Items marked "Reference" are shown for informational purposes only and have already been sold; please do not try to order them.

Proofs - Page 4

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Item #	Quality & Description	US$
203724	Scott #1546 imperforate color plate proof in experimental colors; brown frame and foreground, red background. 1986 Clerissi Paintings 6.00 issue.	Reference For reference only. NOT for sale. Current value $160 (04/2009)
204964	Scott #1546 imperforate color plate proof gutter pair in experimental colors: upper stamp black frame and foreground with red background and lower stamp nearly the same as issued colors except top text green instead of black and "MONACO" red instead of violet. 1986 Clerissi Paintings 6.00 issue.	Reference For reference only. NOT for sale. Current value $320 (04/2009)
203684	Scott #1547 sunken die proof in olive green, with colorless embossed seal, signed "Slania". 1986 Clerissi Paintings 7.00 Streetcar issue.	350.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
203685	Scott #1547 sunken die proof in olive green, background design in mirror image, with colorless embossed seal, signed "Slania".1986 Clerissi Paintings 7.00 Streetcar issue. While I have previously seen an illustration of one such type of item (a different issue if I recall correctly) this is the first occasion I have had to actually see or own such an item.	350.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
203725	Scott #1547 imperforate color plate proof in experimental colors; brown frame and foreground, blue background. 1986 Clerissi Paintings 7.00 Streetcar issue.	Reference For reference only. NOT for sale. Current value $180 (04/2009)
209681	Scott #1607 plate/color proof souvenir sheet with red text and black stamp designs. 1987 Philatelic Bureau souvenir sheet issue. The issued souvenir sheet had lilac text and blackish violet stamps. This example is only the second Slania-engraved Monaco souvenir sheet issue of which I can recall seeing a plate or color proof (the other was of a different issue). With the expected museum handstamps on the reverse.	375.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
233334	Scott #1665 [1990 2.30 Rainier] Imperforate color plate proof sheet-wide 5-strip in two different single colors on rose surface-printed paper. Stamp colors (left to right): violet, bright ultramarine (bu), bu, violet, bu. The pattern of colors may or may not have been the same throughout this proof sheet; it is also possible (likely?) that a third color may have been used in part of the proof sheet. (The issued stamp was printed in brownish red on rose surface-printed paper.) Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs of the definitive issue stamps seem to be much scarcer than those of commemoratives. [This strip has since been divided.]	500.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
231965	Scott #1681 [1989 20 franc Rainier III souvenir sheet] imperforate color plate proof. Frame in red very close to the issued red shade, but the center portrait/stamp is in greenish black. The proof sheet (if not the final sheet?) was one s/s wide and at least three high; this example is the bottom position of the proof sheet and thus has the 5.4.89 print date. Monaco issues (usually lower right corner blocks) with the date are popularly collected. Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse as expected. Proofs from this later era are scarcer than earlier and the souvenir sheet proofs are extremely scarce. Remarkably scarce; outstanding item!	450.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
233337	Scott #1797 [1991 10.00 Rainier] Imperforate color plate proof sheet-wide 5-strip in three different single colors on greenish surface-printed paper. Stamp colors (left to right): bright green (bg), yellow brown, ultramarine (u), bg, u. The pattern of colors may or may not have been the same throughout this proof sheet. (The issued stamp was printed in dark green on greenish surface-printed paper.) Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs of the definitive issue stamps seem to be much scarcer than those of commemoratives. [This strip has since been divided.]	500.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
233339	Scott #1799 [1993 40.00 Rainier] Imperforate color plate proof sheet-wide 5-strip in three different single colors on brownish-rose surface-printed paper. Stamp colors (left to right): blackish blue (bb), dark brown, black, bb, bb. The pattern of colors may or may not have been the same throughout this proof sheet. (The issued stamp was printed in brownish black on brownish-rose surface-printed paper.) Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs of the definitive issue stamps seem to be much scarcer than those of commemoratives. [This strip has since been divided.]	500.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.

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Item #	Quality & Description	US$
203726	Scott #1821 imperforate color plate proof strip of four in experimental colors: violet, red brown, and olive green; plus another olive green. 1992 Clerissi Old Monaco Drawings 0.60 issue. The issued stamp color is dark gray blue.	380.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
203727	Scott #1822 imperforate color plate proof strip of four in experimental colors: bright yellow green, grayish black, brownish orange red; plus another bright yellow green. 1992 Clerissi Old Monaco Drawings 0.90 issue. The issued stamp color is dark red violet.	380.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
204957	Scott #1823 imperforate color plate proof strip of four in experimental colors: yellow brown, bright green, olive green; plus another yellow brown. 1992 Clerissi Old Monaco Drawings 2.00 issue. The issued stamp color is orange red.	380.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
204958	Scott #1824 imperforate color plate proof strip of four in experimental colors: bright red violet, dark red violet, ultramarine; plus another bright red violet. 1992 Clerissi Old Monaco Drawings 3.00 issue. The issued stamp color is gray.	380.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
204959	Scott #1825 imperforate color plate proof strip of four in experimental colors: olive green, olive brown, and a combination of olive green and olive brown; plus another olive brown. 1992 Clerissi Old Monaco Drawings 7.00 issue. The issued stamp color is bicolored, bluish black and gray. I believe that this is the only issued stamp of the Clerissi Old Monaco series that is bicolored; this proof is the only bicolored proof of the series that I have ever seen.	380.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
231966	Scott #1857-60 [1993 Cactus 2.50 booklet pane] imperforate color plate proof complete booklet pane (8 stamps). An extremely interesting proof -- the left four stamps/set is in only single colors: yellow, magenta, green, and yellow -- the three colors used to print this issue. The right four stamps/set is in the final colors/combination (though the magenta in the proof might be a little lighter than the final issue?). This example is the bottom row of the proof sheet and thus has the 5.4.93 print date. Monaco issues (usually lower right corner blocks) with the date are popularly collected. Due to positioning, this print date can never appear on the issued perforated stamps! Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamps on reverse as expected. Proofs from this later era are scarcer than earlier and any booklet pane proofs are extremely scarce (even those not engraved by Slania). Remarkably scarce; outstanding item!	575.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
233333	Scott #2086-9 [1998 Cactus set: 2.70, 4.00, 6.00, and 7.00 values] Imperforate color plate proofs singles. The stamp designs are each complete and each in a different single color (instead of each being multi-colored). This matching set is from plate position 4, showing "1993-1998" in the top margin; the date inscriptions are in mostly differing colors. Stamp and date colors are as follows: 2.70 yellow, green; 4.00 orange, deep red; 6.00 red, red; 7.00 yellow, red. Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs from this later era are much scarcer than earlier.	275.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.

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Item #	Quality & Description	US$
233331	Scott #2128 [1999 20 franc Rainier III souvenir sheet] imperforate color plate proof. Frame entirely in red (instead of blue and red). Stamp design in bluish green. Produced before the gold embossing was applied. The proof sheet (if not the final sheet?) was one s/s wide and at least three high; this example shows the cutting marks for the final issue size. Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs from this later era are much scarcer than earlier and the souvenir sheet proofs are extremely scarce. Remarkably scarce; outstanding item!	450.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
233332	Scott #2128 [1999 20 franc Rainier III souvenir sheet] imperforate color plate proof. Frame entirely in red (instead of blue and red). Stamp design in grayish blue. Produced before the gold embossing was applied. The proof sheet (if not the final sheet?) was one s/s wide and at least three high; this example shows the cutting marks for the final issue size. Without a Monaco Philatelic Museum handstamp on reverse; scarcer thus. Proofs from this later era are much scarcer than earlier and the souvenir sheet proofs are extremely scarce. Remarkably scarce; outstanding item!	450.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
204960	Scott #C84 imperforate color plate proof strip of five in experimental colors: bluish black, carmine, and blue; plus additional bluish black and blue. 1982-84 Airmail 5.00 issue. The issued stamp color is violet. Proofs of the airmail issues are quite scarce. While I would consider dividing this item to obtain the set of three colors, preference will be given to the person who wishes to keep the strip intact. Please let me know if you are interested only in the 3-strip or in one of the "extra" singles.	875.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.
203723	Scott #C88 imperforate color plate proof pair in experimental colors: blue and bright green. 1982-84 Airmail 30.00 issue. The issued stamp color is brown. The bright green proof has a printing irregularity either from a damaged plate or handling while the ink was still wet. Proofs of the airmail issues are quite scarce.	250.00 Reference For reference only. NOT for sale.

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