Lot
4329 E
Unknown, Paid Reply Card Essay (Unstated Value) on Buff, 83 x 152mm 17 d/2 dull pale o-yellow card, each side with "U.S." and Eagle adjacent holding arrows and flowing ribbon reading "Double Postal" in its beak, the eagle is surmounted by words "Message" and "Answer" on front and reverse of card; filing pin holes at bottom, Very Fine. USPCC No. MR1E-V $2,000.
This reply card essay is unpatented product of an unknown designer. Also like MR1E-A, its date of issuance is uncertain but is believed to be approximately 1885. This essay consists of a card called a "U. S. Double Postal", with the printing placed across the narrow dimension of the card, making the vertical dimension longer of the card than the horizontal.
Realized: $850
Lot
4330 E
Unknown, Paid Reply Card Essay (Unstated Value) on Blue Gray, Double sided 89 x 161mm vertically oriented design on 45 g/3 dingy v. faint b-g-blue (blue gray) card, "U.S. Postal Card" on front side and "Suggestion for a Return U.S. Postal Card" on back, both sides with woodcut of three bearded men in a circle with German names Gutenberg, Fust (Faust) and Schoiffher (Schaeffer) around the perimeter, Very Fine and extremely rare. USPCC No. MR1E-W $2,000.
This essay was submitted to the Post Office Department by an unknown designer apparently late in 1889, or early in 1890. The Boston Transcript Company used this same design for their advertising covers in the 1880s.
Realized: $850