Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1909 Alaska-Yukon Issue
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 soilingVERY 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 a 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 (illustrated in his book, Vol. I, p. 48) and Dr. Lobdell. Illustrated in Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, where the price has remained unchanged despite this realizing $4,000 hammer the last time it was sold.
