Lot 10476 – 1889 (19 Mar) an exquisitely executed hand painted

1889 (19 Mar) an exquisitely executed hand painted essay for the 10d value (unadopted) mounted on grease proof paper, annotated « 3 ALTERNATIVE DESIGN » and dated « MARCH 19/89″; a stunning exhibition show piece; ex De La Rue archives.Note: On 15th March 1889 De La Rue Submitted a series of essays, to be followed on 19th March by an essay annotated « 3 Alternative design (above) based on the previous design 3 but with smaller lettering. The former was originally favoured but the latter was eventually accepted. On 22nd march further essays were submitted closely based on previous designs (as the following lot) though were not adopted.