 Fifth Issue Complete Uncut Color Back Plate Proof Sheet in Tete-Beche Style. Sheet of Sixteen Fifty Cents Back Impressions. Act of March 3, 1863 and June 30, 1864. India paper color Back Proof Sheet by Joseph R. Carpenter, Philadelphia. The alignment is vertical, two by eight in a tete-beche fashion. Engraved plate 'No.30' at the top right of the end tete-beche pairs. Engraved central sheet cutting arrows at the ends. Design like Milton 5DP50R.1. The regular issue back design in green as issued. Printed in tete-beche format in order for the issued notes to have the proper fiber alignments at the left of the back.
The tete-beche pair in Ford III was considered likely to have been printed from back Plate 29 and perhaps from the same sheet as the tete-beche pair in the Crofoot collection (illustrated in Rothert). One of the most amazing Fractional Sheets we have seen. The regular issue uncut sheets in the Ford III Sale last year brought epic prices. Though proofs do not have the following that issued notes do, this is truly a prize worthy of the finest collection. There are eight tete-beche pairs on this sheet. There are a few others known and they have graced many fine collections.
This is the most significant Fractional proof multiple in private hands to our knowledge. Hopefully, a visionary collector will keep this treasure intact. However, there is and will be a growing legion of collectors desiring single proofs and tete-beche pairs in the future. Overall, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. From the face, bright and vivid. However, multiple folds with a sharp gutter fold. This is off the gutter and partially split into one side of three of the tete-bache pairs. A restored piece at one of the ends, also slightly into an impression. Pressed at one time.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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