In 1914, the Oslo Filatelist Klub created essays (proposed designs) for a "Landscape" or "Tourism" themed stamp issue, based on photographs of famed Norwegian photographer A. Wilse (plus a portrait of the King). The frames were designed by a lithographer by the name of Holm. The essays were produced by photogravure by the Johnson Printing Company of Kristiania. The 16 essay denominations ranged from 1 øre to 5 kroner. There were 14 different designs, with only a King Haakon VII design repeated on three denominations.
Some of this information comes from J.J. Henry (self-published, 2010) who translated, expanded, and illustrated a monograph by Johs Jellestad (1941). The essays were produced in (at least) 10 colors, each color both perforated and imperforate. The figure of 10 colors comes from Henry, not Jellestad; I do not know if Henry based the figure of 10 on specific source information or just on what he had observed. My notes indicate that I may have recorded at least a couple more colors or shades. However, there is confusion in my recording and in the literature regarding color names (i.e. blue vs dark blue; violet vs light violet; sepia vs ochre; etc.), thus the exact number of colors may still be an open question. For all of the colors that have been recorded, it seems that all denominations probably exist (J.J. Henry wrote that all colors exist both imperforate and perforated).
These essays are most often found imperforate with very large margins, however, perforated examples do exist (but are much scarcer) of at least some colors, though I do not personally know if perforated examples exist of all colors (J.J. Henry wrote that all exist). In my experience, all the perforated essays that I have observed either have gum or appear to have been gummed at one time. However, while most imperforates that I have observed have gum, I have seen some examples that appear to have never been gummed.
It is known that there was an (extremely scarce) earlier (probably) or later printing done in only a few colors, in which the images are much darker and not as crisp or clear; I do not know if these earlier/later printing(s) exist for all denominations and/or for both imperforate and perforated.
These essays are "always" found as singles; I have not recorded any in attached multiples or combinations. I have not (yet) found details regarding in what sheet format these essays were produced (for example: individual sheets of one design VS in combinations of designs on a single sheet all in the same color). My correspondence in the 1980s with Paul Jensen (long-time friend and long-time OFK member, and a collector of proofs and essays) provided only very limited details of the production of these stamps. However, I hope that production records still exist. If you can provide more information about these essays, please share it with me.
In an area such as this, there is always the possibility of finding unlisted colors / shades, printings, papers, gums, etc. While these essays are often found in groups, finding complete sets of a matching color (or even a combination of colors) is "rare". The market value of these essays depends upon: the believed scarcity of the different colors, papers, printings; the condition and quality as one would expect; but especially the thematic appeal of each of the designs. |