5c Seward, Composite Photographic and Hand-Drawn Essay (223-E1). Stamp size, photo of Seward with watercolor frame design, the frame is significantly different than the one adopted, affixed to top right corner of an envelope, letters in the bottom label are individually drawn and affixed, three of the letters have fallen off and are missing

VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE HAND-DRAWN ESSAY FOR THE 5-CENT 1890 ISSUE, WITH A PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM SEWARD. THE PORTRAIT OF GRANT WAS SUBSTITUTED IN THE ISSUED DESIGN.

The case could be made that this was the first essay produced for the 1890 Issue. On October 25, 1889, Third Assistant Postmaster General A. D. Hazen wrote to James Macdonough at American Bank Note Co. "Referring to your visit here on the 23rd instant, I enclose you herewith a set of proofs of engravings made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, of General U. S. Grant, furnished me in compliance with request. One of these engravings you will observe is in profile. I hope to be able to send you within a day or two a list of the selected heads for the new stamps." The contract for the new issue was signed November 7, 1889, approximately two weeks after the letter was sent. This strongly suggests the 5c Seward design was rejected at an early date.

Ex Brazer.

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