 Central Bank of Alabama. $500.00. A. Montgomery, AL. 1850's. India paper Proof on card by Bald, Cousland & Co. Phila. & New York. No tint plate or protector. Curved titles within oval geometric lathe oval; at the lower left, General Montgomery and Washington lower right. Haxby AL-65 G28 Unlisted with Protector. Though there were several of this design type in the 1990 ABN Sale (lot 17 purchased by Mr. Ford contained notes in three varieties), they are desired by the established and emerging collectors of Alabama notes. Slightly close at the right, but still Choice; Same Series. $500.00. A. Montgomery, AL. 1850's. India paper Proof on card by Bald, Cousland & Co. Phila. & New York. Light golden-yellow tint plate outlines white protectors. Same designs, type used for issued notes. Haxby AL-65 G28a. Superior margins and vivid color. Gem and Superb quality. Both stamped on the back of the cards by the ABN. 2 pieces.
Ex Archives of the American Banknote Company (Christie's, September 14-15, 1990, part of lot 17).
The census of proofs of this denomination and design type is perhaps high upon inspection of the 1990 ABN Sale catalogue lots. Although the quantity appears high, two factors in the current market and collecting perspective are applicable. First, many of those proofs were on India paper only and had damage or the heavy ''bleed'' through of the ABN stamps placed on the back to prevent thefts from the premises. Second, the choice examples from the epic sale have mostly been absorbed into collections during the ensuing fifteen years. Mr. Ford, even with so many examples in the sale, saw the value of this lot 17 as superior. Especially so since it contained the much rarer red protector only type we auctioned in the Ford Collection Part VIII Sale in January, 2005.
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