1894 (Feb 15): De La Rue Essay for the proposed Postal Stationery newspaper wrapper issue, showing the Professor von Angeli head-plate of Queen Victoria, for proposed 1 anna value in a composite design hand-painted in reddish-purple on ivory card backing with Crown, Necklace and epaulette picked out in Chinese white, mounted in sunken card dated "FEB 15th 94." in manuscript at top right. Illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton on page 4206. The Essay, with points at top and at base was rejected in favour of the issued design with indented top and base of frame. An exquisite Proof of great beauty and importance. Unique.

Ex Collection Desai, Robson Lowe 26 May, 1949, Lot #916

Note: The Queen Victoria head was from a full length portrait done in 1885 by Professor von Angeli, when India called for new high values De La Rue worked on the von Angeli head as a model. Four fairly crude Essays were prepared in January1894 for Indian Newspaper wrappers followed by this Essay and a ½ anna design in February. The Indian high values followed later in 1895 and a slightly modified design was utilised for the Canadian Jubilee issue in 1897 and, reduced, for Uganda and the first issue of Southern Nigeria.