EGYPT issued its first series of postage stamps in the year 1866, and so
consequently the first essays of which we can find any record were produced
in 1865. Before discussing the actual proofs and essays themselves, it
should be borne in mind that the land of the Pharoahs and pyramids has, at
one time or another, produced a very large number of essays-in designs that
are legion and colours that would fill a large colour dictionary. Several of
the essays emanating from Paris were of a purely "made for 'Collectors"
type, but this applies only to the minority of the many curious essays which
are to design for issue II., was only a modification of the idea be seen in
the specialists Collection.
By far the greater number of the essays submitted for proposed stamps show
the Pyramid and Sphinx, both of which are so closely interwoven with the
postal emissions and adhesives of the country. One of the first essays known
(Fig. 1) was the work of M. Prévost of Paris, it was impressed on envelopes
and papers of all colours, with and without overprint, or with the overprint
alongside of the design, as in the illustrations.
FIG. 1.
Another essay which appeared about the same time, was very similar to the
one illustrated, with the exception that the star in the centre was smaller.
An Italian, M. Negroni was the designer.
Early in 1866, a well-known essay (among Collectors of Egypt) was produced
by M. Reister of Paris. The design (Fig. 2) and engraving were of a pleasing
nature, but unfortunately this "essay" was produced solely for sale to
collectors.
Another of the earliest "essays " often seen is a black proof impression of
the 1 piastre of issue I. on thin paper without overprint. (Fig. 3) This
proof came from Pellas Bros., of Genoa, who printed the stamps of the first
issue.
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FIG. 3 |
The 1866 series of stamps had not been in circulation long before it was
decided to have a new issue, and as soon as this decision was arrived at,
essays of every conceivable design and size were submitted for the proposed
second issue. One of the best known types of proposed design is illustrated
herewith (Fig.4) This essay finely engraved in taille douce and was in all
probability the work of M. V. Penasson, of Alexandria, although it was not
definitely known who the artist was.
Another design on similar lines to the last is shown below. Again M. V.
Penasson was the artist-this particular essay was drawn by express wish of
the Postmaster-General Muzzi Bey. As will be seen the adopted design
for issue II., was only a modification of the idea be seen in the
specialists Collection of the P.M.G. (Fig. 5).
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FIG.5
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Most of the other essays which appeared during 1866 and 1867, were
planned on more or less the same ideas, the frame work being as figs. 4 or
5, the central portions of the designs containing : (i) a lion and two
Pyramids, (ii) a large Pyramid, (iii) a Sphinx and two Pyramids, (iv) a
Sphinx,, etc., etc.
The general get-up and printing of many of the afore-mentioned essays had
been quite satisfactory, but the essays of the National Bank Note Company of
New York had no rival as regards beauty in conception and fine work from an
engraving point of view. The American essays are grand examples of the
engravers art, and it can only have been pecuniary considerations which
barred these essays from ever becoming one of Egypt's permanent issues.
(Fig. 6).
The National Bank Note Com1any submitted three values, viz. 20 paras, 1 and
2 piatres, each in a different design and printed in about twenty different
colours. All these essays are very scarce to-day.
In 1874 the Continental Bank Note Combany of New York, submitted two
designs, the one comprising a Sphinx with two stars surrounded by the usual
arabesque ornamentations, the other a Pyramid and two stars. The frame and
overprint were printed in one colour, the central portion in a second colour.
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FIG. 7 |
These two essays were struck off in over sixty different combinations of
colours-the entire series making a veritably marvellous display of hues and
shades.
Perhaps the most curious essays ever designed for Egyptian stamps were those
drawn by M. C. Borrani, who possessed a remarkable aptitude for making the
most out of the space at his disposal-the Sphinx, Pyramid, Mosque (and
telegraph pole ?) all being found room in the central oval of his essays.
Above (Fig. 7) a reproduction is given of an essay which Moens does not list
and which we have never seen before.
Although this particular design is not so very over-crowded with details, we
do not doubt from the style of the work that M C. Borrani was the artist.
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