370-E1
370-E1 March 1909. Black and white wash drawing of frame with pasted photo of seal vignette. Unique (ex-Johl)
370 Envelope Essay
Bureau designer Clair Aubrey Huston's first model for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific stamp was based on his circular seal-on-ice essay for an abandoned commemorative envelope project. This is a copy of the essay for the proposed but abandoned stamped envelope.
370-E2
370-E2 (Scott 370-E3) Second Design* The approved essay: black, white and gray wash drawing of frame with pasted photo of seal vignette (cut-out of Seward profile was placed on backing card later). Ex-Johl. Huston's second design was for a larger stamp, also incorporating the seal-on-ice vignette. This essay was approved for production by the new Postmaster-General, Frank H. Hitchcock, on April 3, 1909.
370-E2(?)
Scott lists as E3
370-E3
370-E3 (Scott 370-E2) Third Design* Small Seward essay with ink-on-wash inscription of the dates 1870 and 1909 in the ribbons of a definitive series frame. The vignette of a snuff stamp die proof appears behind a central cut-out. Unique (ex-Johl). *There is some controversy over whether this is E2 or E3. Scott lists it as E3, but Lobdell, in "The Second Essay of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon Commemorative Stamp" By David H. Lobdell, United States Specialist, vol. 69, pp 17-20, 1998, argues that this is 370-E2. Seems like someone a long time ago had a hard time deciding if this was 2 or 3 (note the 2/3 in red ink). A similar notation exists on the E3.
370-E3(?)
Scott lists as E2
370-E4
370-E4 Fourth Design (A) Vignette background retouched with black wash. Unique (ex-Brazer). A strongly adverse reaction from the Exhibition's backers to a stamp which would emphasize the more frigid aspects of Northern life sent Huston back to his drawing board to prepare a pair of essays which replaced the seal with William H. Seward, the Secretary of State who bought Alaska from the Russians.
370-E4
370-E4
370-E5
370-E5 Fourth Design (B) Retouched photo of adopted frame with pencilled WILLIAM H. SEWARD on white wash ribbon below seal vignette. Unique (ex-Johl). Two survive (they are listed as "die essays" by Brazer and as essays by Scott). Huston's second and larger Seward essay, combining the frame of the previously approved seal-on-ice design with a retouched vignette of Seward derived from an 1876 bond, was approved by the Postmaster-General on April 24, 1909, with the proviso that Seward's name be added. The approved Seward essay. Photo of wash drawing of frame and arched ribbon of approved seal essay with vignette cut out, mounted over photo of engraved Seward vignette (Bureau die number 2373). On April 26, 1909, Bureau Director Joseph E. Ralph approved the lettering of William H. Seward's name on a new essay. Incredibly, Seward's name appeared below a vignette of ... the seal! "Perhaps a vignette of Seward had been loosely stuck over the seal and subsequently fell off; or perhaps the sole purpose of the essay was to present the name tablet for approval" (from Patterson, cited below, p. 393.) Or perhaps the BEP staff was fonder of the seal than they were of the Seward profile and deliberately labeled it with his name as a joke for Director Ralph's amusement (as opined by the current owner and exhibitor of these essays, Dave Lobdell).
370-E5
370-E5
370-E6
370-E6. The framing and lettering already having been engraved by Robert Ponickau and Edward Hall, Marcus W. Baldwin began engraving Seward's portrait on the die the day after Director Ralph's approval. Engraver Baldwin pulled progress proofs during his work on the die vignette. 370-E6. The whereabouts of the 370-E6 die progress proof is unknown. [Here is a photocopy from an article by Patterson (referenced below), copied from an article in the Essay-Proof Journal.--Oops I need to dig this up--SJS]
370-E7 Die Progress
370-E7 Die progress proof. Unique (ex-Johl). Face and collar lightly engraved, no shading lines on ribbon, background shows horizontal lines only.
370-E7
370-E7
370-P1
370-P1 Large die proof on india paper, die sunk on card. Unique (ex Lilly). Postmaster-General Hitchcock approved the completed die for production on May 6, 1909.
370-P2
370-P2 Small die proof. Compare with 370-E7--this is the completed engraving.
370-P2
2c Alaska-Yukon, small die proof on wove paper measuring 34x27mm, attractive balanced margins, bright color and fresh, very fine and choice; a rare proof; C.A. Huston, designer; M.W. Baldwin, vignette engraver.