U.S. Photo Essays and Autographed Plate Blocks
Henry Gitner and Peter Torraca

Henry Gitner Philatelists offered for sale photo essays and designs and autographed plate blocks from the estate of Sol Glass.  Mr. Glass was a renowned US philatelic writer and longtime member of the US Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee.  This committee helped select and approve designs for US stamps.  Mr. Glass was also intimate friends with most of the designers and engravers of US stamps.  Most of his material was extremely scarce with only a handful known of each item.  Included within his collection were several Scout topical items.  The prices of this material are included for future reference when they might again come onto the market.

Photo Essays and Photo designs
These are the only existing copies of the artist's original designs.  The actual die proofs of the approved art work generally do not exist in public hands (there are some exceptions in the 1929-1959 time period -- see the Scott US Specialized Catalog).  It is possible that these exist in the US government archives.  If they do exist they are not available to the public -- and especially not for reproduction.  These photo essays are the actual items that the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee had used to decide what the new stamp should look like.  They are, in this sense, the original essays.

Photo Essays
Photo essays were photographed proposed designs of stamps that were never issued and often contain topical elements not found in the issued stamp.  Approved photo designs are also listed and these were usually signed by the designer or engraver.

Autographed Plate blocks
These are mint plate blocks autographed by the designer, lettering and frame engravers.  Also listed are plate blocks that are signed by the famous individual who inspired the issue.

SOSSI members who were fortunate to obtain these rare items are invited to share images of these gems in future issues of the SOSSI Journal.


Credits: Henry Gitner Philatelists, Inc.
HGP Inc. is a SOSSI member.
Created by Keith Larson, 2002.