CORINPHILA AUCTIONS 297 - 308 Day 3

1870/71: Composite Essay for Stamp Statute £ 10 value by William Bell, the hand-painted design in yellow, black & slate-blue and pencil, with printed Queen's head inserted, all on slight soiled card (85 x 75 mm.) with additional printed "POUNDS" tablet at base in pale blue. Bell tendered for the the engraving of the steel Die on 28 July 1871 quoting £45 for one colour and £50 for two colours. A rival tender to Bell's was received from Frederick Grosse, the engraver of the Laureates, for an engraving on wood at half the price. The decision was taken that the £10 value was not required - a pity as this Essay is visually stunning. Signed at lower right "TTa'B" (T.T. A'Becket, the Postmaster General and Commissioner of Customs). Unique.rnProvenance: Collection J.R.W. Purves, RL, Geneva, 27 Nov 1980, lot 2230; Collection Rod Perry, DF, Geneva, 16-21 Nov 1987, lot 20463.rn