Proof Proofs and Essays, 19th & 20th, approximately 180 large die 'stock' proofs or essays from the sample 'book' holdings of master engraver William Grant, many die sunk on cards of various sizes (up to 9¼" x 6"), some are off card, subjects include many scenes and views used on stock certificates, bonds and other financial paper (couple trademarks, corporate symbols, etc.), also includes many secondary 'stock' dies of various components of Chinese currency, bonds and a few postage stamps (including Temple of Heaven vignette used on several Chinese stamps), also some portrait engravings (Samuel Morse, Alexander Hamilton, Sun Yat Sen, Washington and Lincoln), also one engraving of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (5¼" x 2¾"), this scene was used for the vignette on the 24c 1869 Pictorial stamp and on a $1,000.00 U.S. piece of currency, some proofs signed by the engraver, others are of unknown origin and date, extremely mixed condition (some with toning as virtually always), otherwise a fine-very fine lot, est.