# O68P3-71P3 - 1873 Official Proof Sheets O68P3-O71P3 on India Paper mounted on 198 x 135mm card - ONLY 1 AVAILABLE!

Own the Rare 1873 Official Proof Sheets – Only 1 Set Available!

Hurry, these sheets will likely be broken down soon to give more collectors a chance to own them!

Less than five of these high-quality Official proof sheet sets are known to exist.  Luckily, we have one of them, and frankly, we’re pretty excited to offer it to you!  However, we're only offering the sheets for a limited time.  We love them as sheets, but we want to give more collectors a chance to own these rarities, so we're considering breaking them down into singles.

These proofs were created over 150 years ago to show the quality of the new Official stamps to be printed for our US State Department.  Official stamps were never available to the public, and these proofs were even more difficult to find.  Now is your chance to be one of the lucky few to own and preserve these important rarities for years to come.    

Proofs are made from the finished engraving plates.  They’re produced to ensure the high quality of stamp engraving and alignment, and their readiness to be printed.  Proofs are excellent impressions of the stamp design.  Proofs have a clarity of impression and depth of color that’s far superior to the issued stamps.    

These Official proof sheets were printed on thin, high-quality, handmade India paper.  India paper is highly absorbent and produces sharp impressions, showing every fine detail created by the engraving plate.  While usually more beautiful and scarce than the issued stamps, proofs are much less expensive.   

Is this set expensive?  Certainly.  Is it worth it considering its rarity?  Absolutely.  Each of the four crisp sheets of ten proofs each is in very fine, mint never-hinged condition.  That’s 40 proofs with the superb detail and intense coloring only a proof can provide.  (And a single set of just four of the issued Official stamps – #O68-71 – would cost you hundreds more!)  Convenient, interest-free time payments are available upon request to make owning these beauties easier. 

Why You Should Own the Rare Official State Department Proof Sheets:

• They are in premium, never-hinged mint condition…
• They are even more beautiful than the issued stamps…
• They are more scarce than the issued stamps…
• They are much less expensive than the issued stamps…
• You’ll be one of the elite group of collectors who can own them…
• You can show them off to family and friends and entertain them with interesting details about their beauty, scarcity and purpose… 
• Convenient, interest-free time payments are available to make owning easier…

A Little More About State Department Officials  

Official stamps were issued to every department of the US government in 1873.  Each department’s stamps were printed in a different color.  State Department stamps were green and black.  Those of the State Department were also unique because dollar denominations were produced.  That made sense because the State Department had higher postage costs.  The department sent expensive packages overseas to ambassadors and embassies, and needed $2, $5, $10, and $20 stamps to pay the postage.    

The large-size, high-value State Department proofs feature William H. Seward, Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. 

Now that you know the significant history and value of this rare 1873 Official Proof sheet set, consider calling our Customer Service Department to order it.  (Before someone else does… remember, we have only one set!) 

Give us a call weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. toll-free number at 1-800-433-7811.  We’re always glad to hear from you and help your collecting dreams come true.