4c Black Brown, Large Die Essay on India of Lincoln Facing Left (222-E2). On 75 x 73mm card with full die sinkage, showing both die no. C-226 and imprint below design, intense shade and impression, Very Fine example of this scarce essay with Lincoln facing left -- in a letter to ABN Co. of Nov. 13, 1889, the 3rd Asst. PMG writes "In view of the fact that it will probably be necessary to make a departure from the line of profiles by putting General Grant in three-quarter face, would it not add variety and attractiveness to the variety and attractiveness of the series to use three-quarter or full face in some other pictures? It occurs to me that the picture of Lincoln would appear to better advantage in three-quarter face than in the profile shown on the present six-cent stamp. His picture on the ninety-cent stamp of 1869, appears to me to be an excellent one and perhaps might be used on the new four-cent stamp with the face reversed to look to the left. What do you think of this suggestion?" -- in another letter of Feb. 10, 1890, the same writer confirmed he and the Postmaster General "reached the conclusion that by making them face right, as shown in the originals selected for copy, would really prove to be an advantage", this about-face (pun intended) on the direction of the portrait led to delays in issuing the 4c and 5c stamps, which were not issued until June 2 -- Brazer thought only two were known with the die number and imprint, ex Finkelburg

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