Description
Embossed Essays for Stamping Paper. The embossed medallion was originally intended to be used on paper sent in by the public to be stamped. For this Hill turned to William Wyon Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint who had created the effigy of Queen Victoria for the 1838 medal commemorating her first visit to the City of London. Wyon used this as the basis for his die later adding the diadem to the Queens head. He then supplied this to Charles Whiting for an engine-turned background to be added. However there were problems with the proofing and arguments between Wyon and Whiting as to who was responsible resulting in Whiting producing his own version where the head faced right. Examples with PAID can be found on card wove paper or envelopes in various colours including black brown red dark blue blue light blue pink green and yellow-green. It should be noted that reprints exist from 1848 and 1862-63 also in a variety of colours. They are distinguishable by a small inking flaw at the base of the Queens neck. This is an original essay (not a later reprint).
