Friedberg Unlisted (W-Unlisted). ND (1895) $50 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Choice New 63. Sepia Photograph of Original Wash Drawing.Similar to Hessler-SCE6. Sepia photograph of original wash drawing, reduced to banknote size, mounted on wide margin card. Central vignette, Science Presenting Steam and Electricity to Commerce and Manufacture as originally designed and proposed for the $50 denomination by Edwin H. Blashfield, but modified and used on the $2 notes. The lower margin bears the handwritten note, "altered and used for $2.00 Silver Certificates Engraved by G.F.C. Smillie Edwin Howland Blashfield designer." Engravers production photograph of what is probably the earliest prototype for the $50 denomination, and by default, the earliest prototype for the $2 note as well.<p>Relating to the discussion of the next lot, it is highly probable that this present wash drawing photograph is the original proposed design for the $50 submitted by Edwin Blashfield. While the central vignette is the same as that used in banknote production, the surrounding design features are significantly different, suggesting this as an earlier prototype, purely on a developmental basis. Blashfield notes in his letter of April 15, 1895, that the 50 is an important feature acting as part of a pyramid effect. Careful contemplation of the two different $50 designs reveals that they both have something of a pyramidal structure. However, the large and bold 50 on either side of the central vignette, as found only on this present style, is a more significant part of the noted pyramidal structure in the composition than are the less prominent 50s in the other design. In addition, the handwritten note in the lower margin clearly identifies this design as the original by Blashfield, which was later altered. It is important at this point to call the readers attention back to the central vignette proof of this design. The instrument in the foreground of that engraving there tentatively identified as a loom comb is also visible on this specimen. Thus that vignette, placed with the progressive proofs for the $2 notes, is technically a prototype of the present $50 design. These are the only two recorded appearances of this instrument in the known impressions featuring this central vignette.From our Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection Sale, Part V, August 17, 2011, lot 5007; purchased from Mrs. Louise Entriken, December 16, 1971; formerly in the collection of Robert F. Schermerhorn.
