2c Alaska-Yukon, Model Essay (370-E1). 77 x 101mm card with black and white wash drawing of frame and pasted on photo of seal on an ice block, this is the first model for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition created in March 1909 by Bureau designer Clair Aubrey Huston and was based on his circular seal on ice essay for an abandoned commemorative envelope project, red pen "#1" in circle at top

VERY FINE. STRIKING AND UNIQUE COMMEMORATIVE ESSAY.

Ex Johl.

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Model Essay (370-E2). 75 x 89mm card with black-and-white ink wash frame (as on 1909 2c Lincoln) with William Seward engraved portrait inset (this is a die proof of a Snuff Stamp vignette), red pen "#2" in circle at top left, the change from the seal to Seward was made after adverse reaction from the Exhibition's backers to a stamp that would emphasize the more frigid aspects of Northern life, in one protesting telegram to Secretary of the Interior Ballinger they state "One of the objects of the fair is to show that Alaska can raise something else besides icebergs"

VERY FINE. ANOTHER UNIQUE ALASKA-YUKON ESSAY.

Ex Johl

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Model Essay (370-E3). 93 x 70mm, with photo of seal on iceberg as originally approved and with hand-drawn frame as approved, engraved portrait of Seward at bottom, red "#3" in circle at upper left, typed "Approved, April 3, 1909, Postmaster-General" and signed by F. H. Hitchcock, some minor soiling

VERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL ESSAY FOR THE 2-CENT ALASKA-YUKON EXPOSITION, COMBINING A DRAWING OF THE FRAME AS ADOPTED WITH A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIGNETTE WHICH WAS REJECTED AND A SEPARATE ENGRAVING OF THE VIGNETTE AS ADOPTED, ON A CARD MARKED APPROVED.

According to Johl, the backers of the Exposition prevailed on the Post Office Department to issue a stamp for the event. The design with seal at center was acceptable to postal officials, but the backers of the Exposition did not think the theme of a seal on a block of ice would encourage travel to Alaska. The vignette was changed to Seward's portrait.

Ex Johl and illustrated in his book (Vol. I, p. 48).

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Model Essay (370-E4). 92 x 75mm card with wash drawing of frame similar to that adopted with seal essay cut out and mounted over Seward vignette derived from an 1876 bond (Bureau Die No. 2373), vignette background retouched with black wash, three-line endorsement "Approved subject to addition of the name Seward, as indicated in letter of Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, dated April 24, 1909" and signed by F.H. Hitchcock, "Postmaster General."

VERY FINE. A MARVELOUS AND UNIQUE ESSAY.

Ex Brazer

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Model Essay (370-E5). 94 x 65mm card with close to adopted frame and seal on iceberg vignette, "William H. Seward" name added below seal in compliance with directive from the PMG but on a rejected design, "April 26/09 Approved J.E.R." (J.E. Ralph director of the B.E.P.), perhaps at one time had a Seward vignette over the seal that fell off or was done to elicit a chuckle from Director Ralph

VERY FINE. MARVELOUS UNIQUE ESSAY.

Ex Johl

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Die Essay on Wove (370-E7). Face and collar lightly engraved, horizontal background lines only, no shading on ribbons, Extremely Fine, one of two known, ex Johl, who states "The framing and lettering was engraved by Robert Ponickau and Edward Hall. Marcus W. Baldwin began engraving Seward's portrait."

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Large Die Proof on India (370P1). Die sunk on 192 x 132mm card, typewritten "Approved, May 6, 1909" and signed by F.H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General, Extremely Fine, unique, ex Lilly

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2c Alaska-Yukon, Small Die Proof on Wove (370P2). Bright color on pristine white paper, Extremely Fine, very scarce

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2c Alaska-Yukon, "Ultramar" (Overseas) Specimen Ovpt. (370S). Purple handstamp applied by Portuguese Postal Authorities upon receipt from U.P.U. headquarters in Berne, Switzerland for distribution to their Colonial Post Offices, affixed to piece of ledger page, Very Fine, this and the following lot are the only two surviving 2c Alaska-Yukon specimen stamps outside official archives

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2c Alaska-Yukon, "Ultramar" (Overseas) Specimen Ovpt. (370S). Purple handstamp applied by Portuguese Postal Authorities upon receipt from U.P.U. headquarters in Berne, Switzerland for distribution to their Colonial Post Offices, no gum, shallow thin spot, Very Fine appearance, this and the previous lot are the only two surviving 2c Alaska-Yukon specimen stamps outside official archives, with 1990 P.F. certificate which has a pencil note suggesting this came from the Postal Archives of Mozambique

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