Prince Consort Essay

The Prince Consort stamps were provided by the artist Robert Edward Branston, from an engraving executed by Samuel William Reynolds.

It is noted that the essays have the check letters "F" and "J" and it is believed by some scholars that they are the initials of Ferdinand Joubert, who designed Britain's first surface printed postage stamp, the 1855 Four Pence stamp printed by De La Rue, and who may have played a role in the creation of the Prince Consort Essay.

The Prince Consort Essay was printed from electros taken from one master plate of 12.

The essays are scarce and there are approximately 25 recorded examples perforated 16 by Archer.

Of the 36 examples, 3 are in brown, three are in blue (the latest realized £38,080.00 at auction)[citation needed] and the remainder are in black.