10c Black, 1847 issue, Large Die Essay on Proof Paper (2-E1). 32.5 x 42.5mm, mounted on thin blue card which has portions of banknote designs pasted onto back, 10c 1847 stamp design is incomplete -- noticeably missing the outer frame and "RWH&E" initials at bottom, as well as numerous lines of shading and detail found on subsequent proofs and the issued stamps -- deep shade, small paper adherence above Washington's left eye which is utterly inconsequential

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED ESSAY INCORPORATING BOTH THE VIGNETTE AND FRAME FOR THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN PRIVATE HANDS. AN IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ARTIFACT OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL STAMP ISSUE.

The Act of March 3, 1847, signed by President Polk, specified that Postmaster General Cave Johnson "be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of the postage..." The law's effective date was July 1, and the Post Office acted immediately to secure a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and (the new partner) Edson, so that stamps could be distributed by that date. The Washington vignette is based on the iconic image painted by Gilbert Stuart.

The Scott Specialized catalogue lists frame-only and vignette-only essays for the 10c 1847 Issue, both believed to have been produced around 1895. The iconic 5c and 10c models for the 1847 Issue have long been known to the collector community and are now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum. This is the only full-design essay (less the framelines) that we record for the 10c 1847 Issue in private hands, and a check with leading dealers in proofs and essays confirmed this.

With 2008 P.F. certificate. Listed in Scott but unpriced

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