(EP-84, HB-170, S-123, Reed LT05), Five Cents, LORD & TAYLOR, New York, “ROMAINE” later made c. 1950 Reproduction, Extremely Fine.
According to Fred Reed, this piece having the diagnostics as a later made c. 1950’s “Romaine” Reproduction. This item was intentionally created to confuse collectors and pass as an authentic 1862 Civil War Encased Postage Stamp, which it is not but virtually identical in its appearance yet has several diagnosed die marks characteristic of this reproduction. The authentic 1861 US Postage stamp is a deep brown in color and near perfectly centered. There are scattered internal surface bumps by Jefferson’s nose and chin in the mica and some lamination craze around the upper left rim edge, otherwise clear and unbroken. The case is a natural medium brown in color with the reverse somewhat mottled reddish-brown. Overall, a very collectable example of this important “Lord & Taylor” “ROMAINE” c. 1950 merchant reproduction. Provenance ex: Collection of Robert Bauer.