Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, 3c Blue, Die Essay on India (11-E1). Full margins except small nick at top, detailed impression and rich color, small tear at bottom right

THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE RAWDON, WRIGHT, HATCH & EDSON 1851 ESSAY IN BLUE.

Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, the firm that printed the 1847 Issue, competed for and lost the contract for the new 1851 Issue to Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. There are several similarities between this design and the 1847 Issue, the most obvious the "US" and "Post Office" labels at top. The central engraving is from a circa 1832 stock die by Cyrus Durand. This design was originally proposed by for the 3c newspaper rate during the 1847 period. It was reused for RWH&E's submission for the 1851 Issue.

Three original examples of this essay are recorded, including two in black (one offered in this sale as lot 501) and this single example in blue. There are fewer than ten non-contemporary reprints from the original die, showing rust marks and a die scratch (see Sale 1113, lot 2056 for an example).

Ex Finkelburg

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