1873 1c Franklin Plate on Card

 Own Historic Trial Color Proof Over 145 Years Old!

This trial color proof was printed in 1873 by the Continental Bank Note Company and pictures a proposed color for the upcomimg 1¢ stamp.  It was printed on card in black (the final stamp ended up being issued in ultramarine).  It's fun to take a look behind the scenes of classic stamp production.  Get ...  more

 Own Historic Trial Color Proof Over 145 Years Old!

This trial color proof was printed in 1873 by the Continental Bank Note Company and pictures a proposed color for the upcomimg 1¢ stamp.  It was printed on card in black (the final stamp ended up being issued in ultramarine).  It's fun to take a look behind the scenes of classic stamp production.  Get this trial color proof in your collection today.

More About Trial Color Proofs...

Trial color proofs were printed to help decide the best color for an upcoming issued stamp after the design was already settled on.  Stamps were often printed in a number of colors for the US Post Office Department to choose from.  Trial color proofs are those colors rejected by the US Post Office Department.  The color that was chosen for the stamp would then have a final die proof produced.