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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