Great Britain 1850 1d Prince Consort Essay, SGDP71(2) – Red-Brown Trial Printing
An exceptional unused original gum example of the 1850 1d Prince Consort Essay, printed in red-brown and lettered 'FJ', with full four margins and crisp detail.
This experimental design featured the portrait of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, and was trialled in 1850 during considerations for revising the iconic Penny Black and Penny Red designs.
Very scarce and a most interesting piece of postal production history particularly in that Prince Albert did not feature on any stamps issued by Great Britain.
Based on evidence given to the 1851 House of Commons Select Committee, it is indicated the Prince Consort essays were prepared for Henry Archer in connection with his offer to produce surface-printed postage stamps and perforate them on more favourable terms than the existing contract at the time with Perkins, Bacon.
Edwin Hill, Supervisor in the Stamp Department of Somerset House cautioned Archer's engraver, Reynolds, against use of the Queen's head. Archer took the advice and chose to use the head of the Prince Consort instead.
This finished essay remains imperforate. The perforated examples which followed were perforated on the same machine Henry Archer used for his perforation experiments.
GB Specialised Catalogue No: DP71b.
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