| Description |
Confederate States of America -Developmental Essay Proof for Straker & Sons $500 Chemicograph Back Design. PCGS Very Choice New 64 Apparent. The final of seven exemplary and historic S. Straker & Sons developmental proofs from the Newman Collection. Six were sold in the Newman Part VIII sale, and this $500 proof is a fascinating example. Not only is it lacking some design details used on the finished proposed back by the Straker firm, but it has a major spelling error across the title block: CONFFDERATE. Printed from the master plate for the $500 back ordered by the Confederate States of America. Like the others from the Newman Collection, a deep impression proof struck directly to card using the patented process, but without imprint (seen on the later reprints made for sale to collectors). The card measures approximately 30.cm by 22.cm, and the printing within is 19 cm by 8 cm, with the visible plate embossing delineating the margin. Printed in black and white. Like the other denominations, the style is similar in layout. At the center is an angel with very long, outstretched wings. Her robe is flowing, and she is balanced daintily on the globe (very faint continental details are visible). Flanking her at the bottom are a cannon and army equipment at left and an anchor and naval equipment at right. Both ends show 500 DOLLARS. There are four "500" counters that mirror across the note. The title block across, THE CONFFDERATE - STATES OF AMERICA, is bisected by the main vignettes. A very advanced plate, but lacking some details in the wings and around the bottom vignettes when compared with reprinted notes from finished plates made for collectors. Noted with, "Repaired Edge Tear at Right" which is in the card, but ceases at the deeply embossed printing margin. All Confederate proofs are extremely rare. These are very seldom offered for sale, and the six different examples in Newman Part VIII were bid upon avidly. This is the highest denomination from the series, has the fascinating plate anomaly, and is tremendously attractive. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20188, realized $4800. |
