Own the Complete Set of 1875 Newspaper Trial Color Proofs...

These Atlanta Trial Color Newspaper Proofs are exquisite!  And RARE! There’s so much more than just their pristine beauty for us collectors to get excited about...   

Only one sheet in each color produced for the Atlanta International Cotton Expo!

That’s right – just a single sheet of each Newspaper Trial Color Proof was printed on special paper, directly from the original 1875 engraving plates, for this international fair.  The printing quality is exceptional…  the colors as rich and vibrant as they were 140 years ago:  black, scarlet, brown, green, and blue.

The Atlanta International Cotton Exposition was the first world’s fair held in the South.  The fair allowed the US Post Office Department to display all its previous stamp issues.   

I’m so excited to offer you the entire set – every denomination, each one in five intense colors – and in the only known blocks of four!  From the 2c all the way to the $60 face value…  That’s 480 proof stamps in all.   

These proofs are expensive, but if you purchased the Newspaper and Periodical stamps, you would pay well over $1,000,000 dollars!  And what’s more, the proofs are just as, or even more beautiful, than the original stamps.  

Ten Reasons Why You Should Own Them

1. Once-in-a-lifetime chance to get these extremely rare Trial Color Proofs into your collection… “Incalculably scarce”, according to Siegel Auction Galleries 
2. Only-known set of blocks of four from the unique set of Newspaper Trial Color Proof sheets produced for the Atlanta International Cotton Exposition. 
3. Much more affordable than the stamps they represent – only a fraction of the price
4. Complete set of 24 stamps – 480 proofs in all – over 140 years old
5. High-quality proofs printed directly from the original engraver’s plates – a unique and beautiful display for your album or framed piece 
6. Most in pristine mint condition – very few with tiny imperfections that don’t affect their beauty or desirability 
7. Much rarer than singles – most stamps were cut into singles from the set of sheets and sold just before the fair closed
8. Engraved masterpieces, depicting Freedom and Justice and more, considered by some to be among most beautiful stamp art ever produced 
9. Unusual stamp story – didn’t serve their intended purpose, but instead were printed six years after the Newspaper stamps were issued
10. Exhibited at the Atlanta International Cotton Exposition, representing the historic period of Reconstruction in the South – a South without slavery 

Why Were These Proofs Produced for Atlanta’s International Cotton Exposition of 1881?

Only one set of sheets of the Newspaper Trial Color Proofs was printed for the Atlanta world’s fair.  The proofs were requested by the US Post Office Department.  They were printed by the American Bank Note Company from the original dies of the 1875 Newspaper and Periodical stamps.  This showcased the company’s printing techniques and quality, as well as the craftsmanship involved in US stamp production.  Not only fun for fair visitors to see, but also a clever way to market the company’s services! 

About Trial Color Proofs

A trial color proof is a stamp printed in multiple colors.  The final stamp color is chosen from these “trial” or sample colors.  The proofs are printed on special card stock.  Proofs may also be printed on the same paper used to print the issued stamp.  They are vital to stamp production and are a part of its history, though sometimes they’ve not been made until after the stamps were issued! 

Trial color proofs are sometimes confused with color proofs, which are produced after the desired color has been chosen.  The color proof is printed to make sure the issued stamp will match the color chosen from trial color proofs.      

About the Atlanta “Cotton Fair”

The 1881 Atlanta International Cotton Exposition was a first for the southern United states.  Its purpose was to show the South was ready to take its place in the industrialized world… a world of potential growth and opportunity.  Held at Oglethorpe Park in Atlanta, the exposition was a way to encourage tourism.  It also supported the development of new ways to grow and harvest southern crops.     

There’s no better time than now…

Now that you know a little of the history behind these proofs, you be the judge.  Let’s face it, one-of-a-kind philatelic treasures like these Newspaper Trial Color Proof blocks of four don’t come along every day.  And as the years go by, many disappear – cut down into singles, or increase in price. 

We collectors know these proofs are worth every penny of their current asking price in terms of their great rarity, beauty, and desirability.  Especially compared with the enormous price tag on the Newspaper stamp issues!  

That’s why I’m offering the Trial Color Proofs to you now, at a fraction of the price* of the Newspaper and Periodical stamps they rival in crispness, clarity, and color, even after the passage of more than 140 years.

Put this rarity in your collection now, before someone else snaps it up for theirs!               

*Trial Color Proof price is approximately 4.3% of the Newspaper and Periodical stamps’ current retail value.