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Certified Plate Proofs

First Bureau Bicolored Stamps

refer to caption — 2-cent Pan-American Empire State Express Train bottom plate block of four

The first bicolored stamps produced by the Bureau were the Pan-American Exposition issue of 1901. The technology of the day did not allow for quality printing with two colors at the same time, so each stamp was printed from two plates in two separate operations.

2-cent Empire State Express train vignette plate proof sheet — CPP of "Empire State" fast express train vignette for the 2-cent Pan-American Exposition issue. Each stamp of the issue had a unique vignette (central design) with a transportation theme, all printed in black.

2-cent Empire State Express train frame plate proof sheet — CPP of the frame for the 2-cent Pan-American Exposition issue. Each stamp of the issue had a frame (border) of different color and design.

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