Lot 2017 P
1860, 30¢ black, trial color plate proof on wove paper, large margins all around, canceled by bold Trial Postmark in Black ink, Very Fine and rare.Scott Nos. 38TC5a Estimate $500 - 750.
There is a Bureau Specialist article with letter by Postmaster General Zevely objecting to this color because of the difficulty in canceling it; the writer speculates this arose from experiments carried out by the P.O. rather than past experience with the 12c stamp since the Department "kept the black color for the 12c value for nine years and did not mention their objections when Toppan, Carpenter & Co. first recommended black".
Realized: $1,200