Progressive Proof Books

by Ed Barnes

It took several months of collecting cigar labels before the topic of progressive proof books came up. A proof book is one of the rarest pieces of cigar-label art you can collect. Only a few proof books are ever created for each cigar label. The astonishing part is the price. Perhaps, the book is unique. The price is typically less than $500.00. Now, that’s a bargain. This especially holds true if the label itself is rare.

keyline drawing
(courtesy Wayne Dunn’s collection)

So what is a proof book? A proof book is one part of creating a chromolithographic label. First, an artist paints what is called original art. This is painted by hand, usually to scale, and has hand applied embossing. Once the original art is approved, the master lithographer creates a keyline drawing. This drawing is used as a tool to determine the colors and the number of stones to create the desired effect. A keyline looks like a topographic map with many contour lines. These lines show the location of the color boundaries. Now, the specially prepared Bavarian limestones are engraved. One stone is engraved for each color used. A master drawing is used on each stone to assure proper registration. Several prints may be run by hand. Prints from each stone could be run by hand during the engraving process too. Next, the stones are setup on the press, aligned, and a proof is printed. By the time a proof book is generated the label is ready for production. Later, if additional prints are required a proof book will act as a blueprint to setup the the press. The progressive book is used to match ink colors, align the stones, and check the total quality of the print run.

Proof with six color bar

A progressive will show one page for each color. Often, intermediate color combination prints are included. Some progressives will show two prints for each stone. One print will be in the associated color and the other will be in black for easy viewing. The black print is handy to properly see details on white paper. Light color inks such as yellow is very hard to see on white paper. Many proofs will show color bars indicating all the colors used in the print. Some proofs will not show color bars. Less common is an embossed proof. Typically, proofs are not embossed. I have never seen a proof with color bars over 13 colors. I have heard rumors of 22 colors on cigar labels but I have never seen an example. Prang did chromolithographic prints using as many as 44 stones but this was not done for cigar labels. Typically, the more colors used on the chromolithograph the more realistic and beautiful the print. More colors allows for more subtle shades and variations in the resulting color print. Prints with high color counts are rarer since it cost more money to engrave additional stones. Also, high color counts take more time and work to setup the print run and mix the inks. Finally, the prints are embossed with a brass embossing die, and polished.

Many times the lithographer will add personal notes to the progressive. The progressive on the cover of this issue has notes where one stone was replaced. Perhaps the original was broken or accidentally scratched. Therefore, we can conclude from the progressive that there are two types of World’s Greatest Flyer. Some would have the original stone for the color light blue and others would have been run with the replacement stone.

Where can cigar label progressives be found? Progressive proof books are typically very hard to find. Normally they only show up in private collections or auctions. Lately, a surge of proof books hit the market from Frank’s Antique’s. This will probably be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to acquire a proof book at a reasonable price. The good part is most people don’t know the significance or rarity of proof books and I’m told Frank may have more progressives to auction.

Why do I want a progressive? Well, you may not want one at all. As with any collectible it is a personal decision. You may want only certain progressives. I first bought anything I could get just so I could show people how stones were used in the lithographic process. I wanted to use one progressive as a learning and teaching tool. Next, I purchased two additional progressives related to the label themes I like to collect. These are progressives of Lighthouse and NEW CUBA. I felt I might never be able to obtain the "perfect" progressive proof book. Therefore, I felt my two step "safe" strategy was justified. If you are a serious collector, you might consider a progressive proof book for your collection.

11 color (including gold) proof from tampered progressive proof book

Caution: When purchasing progressives be careful. I have heard stories where unscrupulous people will remove some of the intermediate proof pages and sell them separately as individual proofs. Also, it could be possible to "break up" a progressive that contained the inner, outer, end, flaps, etc. into separate proof books. I have a progressive that has brand new staples and a second set of staple holes. Therefore, I know my progressive has been disassembled by someone. The real question is who? Accusing a person of these types of things is hard to prove. Therefore, just keep your eyes open and be sure you can return the item if you are not completely satisfied. Progressives should be stored in a protective acid free pouch away from heat, light, moisture, dirty fingers, etc.

Progressive cover indicating "in", "out", & "strip."
Only "in" was included in this tampered progressive.

Spirit of St. Louis Progressive provided courtesy of Si Bass collection.
Don Rio proof and progressive cover courtesy Ed Barnes collection.