Type of Friedberg 268-270 (W-799-801). 1891 $5 Silver Certificate. PCGS Very Choice New 64. Sepia Photograph of Original Art Drawing.Hessler-5027. Sepia photograph on paper, reduced to banknote size, mounted on thick Bristol board card with wide margins. Production use photograph of what should be a large painting of proposed Educational series notes. The image shows signatures of Tillman-Morgan and serial number 0021012/0021000. Seal at the right. Central vignette, Electricity Presenting Light to the World. The denomination markers in the upper corners are reversed when compared to the final design. Perhaps unique. In the lower margin is handwritten, "Walter Shirlaws design as modified by Thos F. Morris Engraved by G.F.C. Smillie." No verso inscriptions. A fascinating representation and difficult to estimate. Important in the context of these proofs and essays.<p>The engraved Series of 1891 has never been fully explained, though it is believed that an engraved ribbon with the date 1891 had been produced for the Treasury Notes of 1891, and the same engraving was used in an effort to expedite the completion of the design. This date is of course corrected in the final product. The reversed upper corner counter style seen on this image is used on the engraved plate essay offered previously.From our Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection Sale, Part V, August 17, 2011, lot 5027; purchased from Mrs. Louise Entriken, December 16, 1971; formerly in the collection of Robert F. Schermerhorn.
