Lot 20154 – 1893, Essay by De La Rue, for proposed Offi cial issue

1889, Essay by De La Rue, for proposed Official issue with ‘Service De L’Etat’ inscription at base, hand-painted in maroon and Chinese white on brown tracing paper backed on to card, lettered ‘A’ at upper left and dated ‘March 14, 89’, the rejected Essay was for the chestnut stamp, finally issued in 1893, a unique showpiece. Provenance: Peter Smith