Lot
4021 E
Continental Bank Note Co., 2¢ Black on Drawing Paper, Drawing Essay, hand-drawn in lead pencil on 141 x 82mm stiff white drawing paper, design shows Lady Liberty in rectangular frame and "Postage Message" at left; minor stain at right edge, still Very Fine. Scott No. UX1E. USPCC No. S1E-J $4,000.
A UNIQUE CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. DRAWING ESSAY FOR THE FIRST U.S. POSTAL CARD ISSUE.
The Continental Bank Note Co., on July 3rd 1872, submitted several essays, all in black, regretting that weather had been unfavorable for color work. No designs are known to have been engraved and proofs submitted later. No further mention of them is to be found in the correspondence. General Terrell's reply thanked them for the designs, but requested only further information about the cost of cardstock. Their prices seem to be higher than others. It is interesting to note that the first three designs on drawing paper, S1E-J, K and L are valued two cents and entitled "Postal Message", the fourth on cardstock S1E-M is also a "Postal Message" but valued one cent; only the final essay on cardstock S1E-N is a "Postal Card" valued one cent, which is also the only one of the five that is the 5 1/8 x 3" size desired by the Postmaster General.
Realized: $2,900