Lot 10070 – 1901 (22 April) the Fuchs design was formally approved

1901 (22 April) the Fuchs design was formally approved for the 1/2d., 1d., 2 1/2d. and 6d values.

1d. stamp size essays B & A with photographic Fuchs head and bromide frames mounted on thick card (78 x 100mm.) dated 19 APR 1901 in blue at top right and 23 APR 1901 respectively. ex De La Rue Archive. Cat £12,000.

This is an entry from the De La Rue Records:

On 22nd the asst Secretary, Inland Revenue notified us that the board had received formal intimation of his Majesty’s approval of the design for use for the 1/2d/, 1d., 21/2d. and 6d. stamps and further of the designs for the remaining duties. The board requested us to prepare the original dies as soon as possible, but desired the insertion of the ampersand before the word « REVENUE », which on April 24th, the controller advised us should appear in all instances up to 2/6d.

Design « B » was submitted to Sir G.H Murray, the P.M.G. on 19th April who considered the words Postage and Revenue too cramped and suggested making the label longer and possibly broader

Design « A » was submitted on April 23 and under this date Sir G.H. Murray wrote to Sir Andros De La Rue « I think A will dowell enough if it cannot be made plainer.